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

meesha

meesha

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There is a yard with 8 stables (some 13x9 others 14x14) concrete yard area, locked tack room, ample storage, parking, small paddock which could be used for schooling, 8 acres on very well draining land with natural shelter all the way round and further numerous acres on hill above (although not sure how steep) automatic water troughs in field and mains electric included. I would be taking it on to rent out to individuals as owner doesnt want the agro of lots of liveries - was thinking of charging £20 per week diy - it would be all year turnout but there would be holiday/ad hoc/emergency cover available for liveries should they need it. Local riding very good. Only downside is that the overhang at front of stables is a little low for a bigun In my opinion, I could also make hay off field now and offer it to liveries for small profit. Muck heap would not be a problem.

Would you take it on ? at the price I would only need 4 liveries to cover costs.

I pass it twice a day everyday as its on the way to my place and I am self employed so can dictate own hours !
 
I'd give it a damned good go! Sounds lovely.

Can I just point out that I paid £30 a week until recently for DIY and am now paying £35, the only difference being stunning hacking (and a YO who doesn't call everyone the c word and fields that aren't trashed and a worming programme, faint and I no longer have to tiptoe round for fear of being screamed at for no reason :))
 
If u can handle the stress of any 'awkward' liveries, go for it!!! Think I know where you mean, Loxton? Haven't they just re-done roofs? Just have an 'advisory' height limit then you can't get the blame for any bumps! :)
 
Glad you have found somewhere you can enjoy and not get abuse !! I am not sure how much I would need to be involved and the price of livery round us seems to vary hugely - there is a yard round the corner doing diy livery with hay inc in winter for £20 per week !!!! which is madness (although their grazing is shocking) or other yards seem to charge £25 for diy !
 
£20 is very cheap; it's £25 to £40 per week here (but with sandschool) - does your calculation of 4 liveries cover costs of just rental or all field/land maintenance as well? Am guessing you will have your own horse(s) there too so I doubt you would be making any profit. Sounds a lovely place tho' and I wish you good luck with it!
 
blimey chestnutmarelover - was wondering if anyone would click where it was !! you must be local ! need diy livery ? haha
 
I have my own place nearby so wouldnt be in with liveries which would be alot easier I think - although I would pass twice a day. Owner seems happy to do most upkeep - no fencing as all hedge lined - only stables and if it were me I would be having horses out most of time !
 
Assuming £20 is about average for that in your area & that the income will cover maintenance etc then yes probably. And depends too on repairs etc, who pays if fence gets broke, pipe bursts etc. If you can afford to be fussy at first so you get good liveries, & know whether the area has a market for a set up like that then don't see why it won't work if you don't mind the hassle. Just get a contract with the owner so its clear who pays what.
 
I wished I lived down there, sounds lovely, go for it.
Last year we were paying £35 per week DIY, hay and straw included, most was poor quality, poor grazing, spent weeks pulling up ragwort and a YO who made up rules as he went along
 
haha ! how much would you like off field ? dont really fancy man handling hundreds of bales after has been cut - have my own to do and that will be a couple of hundred alone !

I need to grow a set and say yes ! though OH obviously thinks I am mad and it will all be agro (is probably right !)
 
blimey thats cheap ! selling some off my field to friend for £2.50 but as I only have a small area done it costs me a fair bit to get it cut.

If I go ahead will pm you after I know what it will cost to have cut.

Just being nosey - how does £20 seem to you (are you in hutton ?)
 
I am lucky enough to have been out of livery yards for a few years now but £20 sounds good, charge extra for hay. I know quite a few places that charge £100 pcm with hay extra but then they do have a school. Charge £20 to get people interested then go from there?
 
If anyone seriously interested PM me as I dont think will have probs filling spaces - will be selective - no axe murderers or trolls !! It is near villages of Loxton/Christon
 
Don't forget about things like public liability insurance which you would need if renting out boxes. You may find that you are liable for damage if horses escape from the property or cause damage of any sort.
 
Sounds like paradise to me. I would definitely take it on but not DIY livery. Assisted or full livery only. Having run a livery yard I would never do DIY again. Clients can be nightmares and it only takes 1 to upset the whole applecart. If you do go down the DIY route bear in mind that £20 a week is too cheap.
 
Very cheap, plus don't forget water rates and electric x

But that's a good price for horse owners, you also need to charge for keeping trailers there at that price.
 
I was at a completely DIY livery, which sounded very similar but we had a sand school. It was £27 a week for stable and field and school access. No hay or straw provided, but there was space to get it delivered in. Locked tackroom, storage space, water and electricity. I would put your prices up just a tad, but offer a morning turnout service for say £2 a day or £7 for mon-fri type thing. Good luck!!
 
l.ark this was what I was thinkiing - just offering mon-fri morning turnout (or check if already out) with rug change and feed if required but no mucking out(they can do that in evening if in). As I drive by the door this wouldnt take too long and would still leave enough time to do my 2. I would also offer holiday cover and emergency cover for a charge. No water rates or electricity to consider and not sure about insurance - will have to look into it.
 
one last question, where would you advertise - obviously local tack shops, feed merchants, mole valley, word of mouth and possibly ebay but not sure where else would be good. Might email local riding clubs to see if can put an ad up too - only want max 8 horses, min 4.

Trying not to jump into it and regret it - until the hay is cut off the field I cant put any liveries in there and havent said will take it although may go and see him tomorrow but hoping he wont want me to start paying fee until hay is done - thought about saying I will have it and pay from day of cutting and I will pay to get cut etc - do you feel this is fair - if it was frequently topped I could put liveries on straight away but as it stands not a chance as grass much too long to put anything on or to cut without baling ! (not looking forward to moving that many small bale hay - may ask a farmer if wants half in return for doing it and store rest to sell to liveries for very reasonable price).
 
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