Idea for Rules for a yard please?

J

Jericho

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2008
Messages
2,568
Visit site
I have just agreed with a 16 year old girl in my village who is very inexperienced but has helped me all winter with looking after my horses that if she was to have her own pony (she has already seen a shettie who she has fallen in love with) she could keep her at my yard (private - justme and my 2 horses) in return for her still helping out with poo picking, holiday help etc. I trust this young girl 100% and she will love her pony with all her heart and I will be on hand to deal with any issues. The plan is that I will buy any hay etc and ask her for a contribution etc but I was hoping someone could give me some advice on laying down a few rules and regs of a livery yard i.e. No smoking, she must tell me if she is not coming down, what to do in an emergency i.e. if I need to call a vet etc. What to do if it goes wrong? I.e. notice periods, what if she doesnt pay me for her contribution for hay? What if I think she is neglecting her pony (I'm sure she wont but I also want to drum into her the importance of committment. Any advice appreciated ? A current copy of a liverys contract would be very helpful....
grin.gif
 
The BHS web site has a v good one but you have to re-type it as you can't down load it...it is pretty comprehensive.

Best of luck with it - after several similar arrangements myself in the past, I have reached the conclusion that I will no longer have anyone else's animals and prefer to pay as I go for help if I need it - it was a long sad story of being let down, disappointed and disillussioned but I wish you all the luck in the world with it - hopefully I have just been unlucky!

Good luck!
 
dont leave a horse in the field on its own
lock up if your last on the yard
close all gates
sweep up your own mess

...em thats all i can tihnk of...hope it helps
 
oh didnt think of that ! Starting to get complicated .. but if I am not actually charging her or making any kind of profit then it would not be classed as it being 'business' and thus not need insurance? I'll have a hunt round on the 'net and see if I can find something.....
 
I would think if you arent charging etc then you wouldnt need insurance but then you are stuck that you cant enforce rules if "technically" there arent any!!

Im not sure to be honest. I think your doing a lovely thing but just make sure you dont end up regretting it either way.
 
I have a small livery yard at home so am fairly clued up on rules & regs etc. If you allow anyone onto your property whether you take payment in money or in favours you will need Public Liability Insurance incase something happens. Unfortunately we have created a SUE nation and now have to cover our backs for the everything, hence insurance companies increasing the premiums dramatically because we all make claims far too easily. Public liability usually costs around £350 for the year and it covers you if she injuries herself whilst on your property.
 
What a lovely thing you are doing, I hope it all works out for both of you!

What about things like making sure all tools and equipment are put away after use, no smoking on the premises, proper footwear to be worn at the yard at all times (says she who frequently turns up to the yard in the summer in sandals
blush.gif
) , horse's not to be tied up and left unattended - they have all featured in contract's before.
 
I'd mention something regarding letting you know in advance if she is planning to bring any friends onto your property. As even if they are her friends you don't want to be in the habit of getting used to seeing strangers about! Plus they must abide by your rules.
Hope that helps!
 
We have a list up in our tack room that yard owner & i came up with.....

· Keep both ménage gates shut at all times.
· No horses to be turned out in main ménage.
· Please clear your horse’s droppings from the ménage & driveways.
· Please put jumps away after use.
· Please turn off lights (yard & stable) when not in use.
· Hang rugs on hooks provided.
· Clean up spilt feed in the tack room.
· Keep hay barn tidy.
· If you horse makes a mess on the yard (droppings/hoof pickings/hay etc) please sweep it up.
· Clean up after your dog.
· Put all litter in the bin, even if you didn’t drop it.
· Wheelbarrows & tools are not to be left on the yard.
· Please empty wheelbarrows and put them away.
· Keep tool & wheel barrow area tidy.
· Do not tip water on the yard.
· Washing feet & bathing horses to be done on the concrete pad down the side of the ménage.
· Never leave a horse alone in a field at anytime.

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS OUR HOME
 
As well as insurance check local regulations, our stables/school is classed as private use and if we allow anyone else to use them even for no charge we are subject to business regulations and would required planning permission change to business uses and property change to business rates

agree it's a lovely thing to do but not if it turns expensive.

Also be aware that if she is helping you with the horses you should still ideally have public liability insurance (not sure if your horse policy would cover her) - mine doesn't
 
If you break something, replace or fix it.

If the pony is on hard feed, a list of what it is fed (in case of an emergency).

Emergency contact details for everyone. Perhaps contact details for a person to make veterinary decisions if she is unable to, or an agreement for you to make those decisions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top