How much have your livery bills gone up by?

[PoppyAnderson]

My bill has gone up by 23% in the last 4 years. It feels relentless and the increases just keep on coming. Is this a big increase or pretty standard across the country?

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

Winter part livery prices about the same percentage as yours but summer turnout has near on doubled. I don’t like it but when I consider what was paying 20 years ago it doesn’t seem so bad.

 

[Surbie]

My livery has gone up by 25% in 5 years, BUT is still one of the cheapest in the area and our yard owner is fantastic about sourcing in bulk to keep our costs down.

This comes up often on HHO and yard owners need to make a living or we won't have yards anymore. Not everyone can afford to have land.

 

[JFTDWS]

Ours has gone up by a little under 15% in the 3 years I've been here, but it hadn't gone up for a good while before that, and is still very cheap. I don't want to pay more, but if the owner felt they had to put prices up again, I wouldn't think they were being unreasonable at all.

 

[I'm Dun]

Rents for peoples homes have gone up 40% since 2020, similar increases for groceries etc, so you should all be thanking your lucky stars that livery costs are so low.

 

[Surbie]

Rents for peoples homes have gone up 40% since 2020, so you should all be thanking your lucky stars that livery costs are so low.

I think that's quite area-dependent. I am in the crowded South East and certainly in my area the rental prices have stagnated a bit - which is a good thing and they were quite high to begin with.

 

[I'm Dun]

I think that's quite area-dependent. I am in the crowded South East and certainly in my area the rental prices have stagnated a bit - which is a good thing and they were quite high to begin with.

Stats show 26% increase for the south east, given how high they were already thats a lot!

 

[Surbie]

In my area it's about 15%, but as I said, they were high to begin with. I do really feel for people starting out now. It's impossible to buy without significant help or a big-money job. Or both.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

40% increase over 5 years.

 

[Art Nouveau]

well inflation has been 25% since 2021 so any increases around that amount are just keeping pace with inflation, and aren't really increases. I started my yard 4 years ago and have increased prices slightly under inflation. Hay prices have doubled in that time and I'm fortunate because I have a good supplier, others are paying more than me or can't access any. The cost of building repairs, arena maintenance, fencing etc has all gone up so i don't think a 25% increase in prices over 4-5 years is at all unreasonable at the moment unfortunately.

 

[ihatework]

I’m paying 22% more for competition livery than I was 2 years ago. And that’s on mates rates, would 42% if on non-mates rates!

 

[KikiDee]

I've had a 10% increase in 3 years, I'm on full livery and considering hay alone has gone up 50% in price round here I think I'm very lucky!

I know a yard I was previously on 5 years ago has gone up 40% since then which seems to be about standard.

 

[Shooting Star]

8% in the last year and I believe hadn’t gone up for a while before that although I’ve only been there around 18 months. given that it’s diy which includes hay & straw I think it’s a very reasonable increase and they could have asked for more

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I’ve only been at this yard less than 18months.

Our basic DIY only went up about 3% last year and isn’t at all expensive for the area and they could charge more but hay which the farm supplies went up 20%. Part-livery increased I think due to wage and NI increases about 4%. The hay used to be on the expensive side comparatively to when I bought in independently at other yards but this winter it’s been an absolute blessing to have a good and reliable hay supply. They also supply straw so I think they make money more from hay and straw rather than just the livery. I fully expect the livery to increase again this year.

Speaking to an acquaintance yesterday their 7 day livery is going up about 30% to £980 a month so I’m not complaining.

I absolutely think yards need to charge enough to make a decent living and to thrive just wish my salary could match the overall increases in the cost of living .

 

[exracehorse]

I rent my own yard. It’s gone up by 1,000 pa.

 

[khalswitz]

My livery back in 2012-15 was £200 pcm for 24/7 turnout and access to stable, plus hay/haylage, but all DIY. Always had at least an outdoor if not indoor school and off-road hacking and other facilities.

My livery now is £40 a week so ~£175 pcm. So actually cheaper than 10-15 years ago. But now it’s on a farm with no school or other facilities, and limited off-road hacking (it’s mainly quiet roads). Still includes my hay in winter and 24/7 turnout.

So my livery cost is roughly the same but I’ve dropped what facilities I have. Our local hay prices are also only £5-10 a large round more than they were back then as well.

But vet, dentist, saddler, physio? All up by 25-35%.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Thanks everyone for your input. Helps to keep a sense of perspective seeing that it's the same everywhere. I know horses are a privilege to own but my circumstances have drastically changed since I got them and it feels like I'm constantly being squeezed for more juice!

 

[I'm Dun]

Thanks everyone for your input. Helps to keep a sense of perspective seeing that it's the same everywhere. I know horses are a privilege to own but my circumstances have drastically changed since I got them and it feels like I'm constantly being squeezed for more juice!

You are, its everything as well, not only is food more its smaller amounts. Its just constant increases and wage increases dont match inflation a lot of the time, never mind actually increase your wage.