If you were offered this would you take it or is it too much hassle

oh no ! all this enthusiasm for it - i am going to have to do it now !!!! just hope no psycho axe weilding trolls who firstly appear to be normal human beings want a stable !
 
Insurance wise you would probably need public liability just for keeping horses other than those you owe on land you owe or rent and if you do livery services then you may need care, custody and control insurance to cover you of anything happens whilst you are handling other people's horses. For a small yard of 6 horses or less the joint policy for both the above is about £450-490. Ive no idea how much it would be for an 8 horse yard but that should give you a rough idea of annual cost.
 
Thanks LynH will have to factor that in, do you know who I would get it through ? I currently have public liability with NFU along with horse/trailer insurance so will ring to see if I can add that on for a small yard but are there other companies worth ringing ? As an alternative could i make it a stipulation that liveries have their own public liability - also owner lives on site does this make a difference ?
 
You'll probably have to pay business rates as well as public liabillity insurance. £20 a week is way too cheap; factor in maintenance, muck heap removal (did you mention that??) etc or you'll soon be making a loss!
 
Owner is undertaking maintenance and muck heap removal, stables are on his private premises. I know what you are saying though and need to be careful re cost.
 
starting to have second thoughts about the whole enterprise - think its the legal/insurance putting me off. Anybody know as its on owners land and if I make liveries sign to say they have public liability do I still need public liability myself if only diy ? I really just want to see some happy horses in there and as its down the road too good opportunity to miss - would be great to get 2 people with couple/3 horses each - if they had minis they could have a whole little herd of them out there. Its got great natural shelter on all sides and is sloping, if I didnt have my own place I would be in there like a shot !

Also, at moment it is just one big field - 8 acres so I suppose after first livery moves in it will be up to others to decide if they are happy putting in same field or want to seperate it with electric tape etc.
 
I use KBIS for public liability. I don't have liveries just friend's horses staying who all have their own insurance but strictly speaking the landowner/keeper of the horses is responsible if any horses kept on their land escapes and does damage which is why I make sure I am covered. If you are sued because a horse escapes I doubt you would be covered by the individual horse's insurance.
We own our land and don't charge livery but are still liable for damage caused by all horses kept on our land. I honestly don't know how this applies for you as you will be renting and subletting but if I were you I would want to know that I was completely aware of my legal responsibilities and covered for them and then add this cost to the monthly livery.
You may find the owner has public liability insurance already and pays non domestic rates on the stables and is covering those costs by charging you. You would then only need care, custody and control insurance to cover any time you are paid to handle the horses.
I hope this helps and isn't putting you off. I really enjoyed having other horses in my fields but didn't want to have any worry whilst doing so. :0)
 
Thanks LynH will be on phone to NFU first thing tomorrow and then depending on outcome will go and talk to owner. I would like 6 horses/ponies there, not sure what the demand is at the moment but hoping the all year turnout is a massive plus as it saves loads on bedding/feed and everyone is a bit strapped for cash at the moment (including me hence the poss new venture). Worried no arena will put them off but it is a lovely yard - courtyard style with storage one end, muck heap the other and stables both sides, security lighting, mains water, water troughs in fields and tack room plus parking.
 
Alot of people are happy enough without an arena but if the ground is good enough you could consider fencing off a designated area for riding. Being able to ride on a area within the property is better than nothing, wouldn't cost you too much and may help you fill the stables.
It sounds a nice place an good turnout is usually top of people's priorities.
 
You say it's 8 acres and not divided. I wouldnthink that dividing it into paddocks would be a priority, not just for separating horsess but also for managing the land efficiently.
 
If you do take it on,it may be worth informing Inland Revenue.It only takes one jealous or spiteful person to make a phone call to them claiming that you have income that you are not declaring,to land you in a whole heap of trouble.As a self employed person,would it be possible for you to run the yard as another business?Then insurance,maintenance rent ect may be covered as legitimate expenses.Good luck,it sounds lovely!
 
there is already a seperate paddock which owner referred to as schooling paddock - its straight off the yard so ideal. For seperating - if owners wanted to seperate I wouldnt have a problem and would suggest using top half of field in winter and resting bottom half or if they are happy to they can use the additional 12 acres up through woods on hill in winter to rest the 8 acres (there is also a water trough up there)
 
Blimey, didn't realise there was an extra 12 acres on hill!! If I was ur way & looking for livery i'd be there like a shot ;) Least that is a good selling point, summer AND winter turnout and not having to use same ground for both.....
 
spread the word !!!!!!!!!!! be nice to get a group of people who know each other already and get on so it can be their own little place - there wont be any interference from land owner or me unless reqested as long as it is kept tidy etc. ... this is all assuming it hasnt already been snapped up by someone else
 
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