Lego
Well-Known Member
I recently moved from DIY to part livery - when I was doing the sums, it came out at about £100/m more to be on part livery by the time feed, bedding, hay etc is included. Then by the time I take into account reduced petrol costs only needing to go once a day, and the time I'm saving not doing 'chores', I think it really is amazing value for money...
(Part livery for us is everything bar groom and exercise btw)
I also like that once I've paid the yard bill at the beginning of the month there are no extras, and that's it bar farrier and treats/sprays etc. No more realising I'm nearly out of feed, or bulk buying bedding and trying to cram it in my fiesta!
I did worry about having to relinquish control over him to some extent - my dad reckons it's like sending him to boarding school And yes, there are little niggles of course - I can't just give him a bit more feed, I have to ask the YM to increase his feeds, likewise, if I want to change feeds, I'd have to give notice, and check it was something she was happy to buy in. Fortunately I had a while on DIY to work out a good regime for him and the YM is very accommodating
To be honest, I miss having the constant contact, but pro's are that I have a fab YM who is very on the ball and would notice and tell me about any changes, the facilities and general atmosphere are way better, and the time I spend with the boy is better - I don't have to stress about finishing work late so will the other horses be in, or I have to rush in and by the time I've brought in/skipped out I'm knackered and it's dark... I may not get the whicker when I arrive much any more since I am no longer dinner lady, but I'm the one who spends the same amount of time I would have been mucking out etc, grooming him and riding him - plus I still give him treats for being a dude - so he still likes me!
(Part livery for us is everything bar groom and exercise btw)
I also like that once I've paid the yard bill at the beginning of the month there are no extras, and that's it bar farrier and treats/sprays etc. No more realising I'm nearly out of feed, or bulk buying bedding and trying to cram it in my fiesta!
I did worry about having to relinquish control over him to some extent - my dad reckons it's like sending him to boarding school And yes, there are little niggles of course - I can't just give him a bit more feed, I have to ask the YM to increase his feeds, likewise, if I want to change feeds, I'd have to give notice, and check it was something she was happy to buy in. Fortunately I had a while on DIY to work out a good regime for him and the YM is very accommodating
To be honest, I miss having the constant contact, but pro's are that I have a fab YM who is very on the ball and would notice and tell me about any changes, the facilities and general atmosphere are way better, and the time I spend with the boy is better - I don't have to stress about finishing work late so will the other horses be in, or I have to rush in and by the time I've brought in/skipped out I'm knackered and it's dark... I may not get the whicker when I arrive much any more since I am no longer dinner lady, but I'm the one who spends the same amount of time I would have been mucking out etc, grooming him and riding him - plus I still give him treats for being a dude - so he still likes me!