Livery charge when horse away from yard

Tiffany

Tiffany

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If a horse is on full livery although for whatever reason will be away from the yard for a week or two would you expect to pay same amount of money or stable and grazing cost only?

It may be that each yard is different - just curious on your thoughts/experiences.

Thanks :)
 
I'm on a private diy yard but when my last filly went away for 3 weeks training to start her under saddle i paid half my normal weekly fee to keep my stable which was very reasonably as i didn't expect any discount being that i only pay £20 a week for stable and grazing
 
Personally i would expect to pay usual charges for a week although if it was any longer i would try to negotiate a lower rate to reflect that stable is bring held and they're still having to pay overheads etc but less forage and bedding is being used for duration of absence.
 
When I had my horses on livery I would pay full costs if my horse was not at the yard for whatever reason. The yard is running a business and would take quite a hit if you weren't charged as they wouldn't be able to fill the box in your absence.
 
Tiffany said:
I don't have a contract hence the question really
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OK. As I said for 1-2 weeks I would expect to be charged in full but without a contract it's up for negotiation. Difficult one as you don't want to upset YO I assume?

I would ask straight up what YO's expectations are and then negotiate from there.

A fair compromise would be to pay in full for first week and have whatever services you usually use over and above basic livery and feed knocked off, but to pay for stable/turnout/bedding for the second week.
 
My boy went away for three months and I paid DIY charges rather than the part livery he is usually on. However, I did not expect a reduction (hoped for one ;) ) and just discussed it with YO.
 
Assisted DIY cost including stable, grazing, turnout & bring in 5 days pw plus haylage is £45.00 pw so didn't know whether I would just be expected to pay that to keep stable.

I buy my own bedding and feed.
 
Nicnac said:
OK. As I said for 1-2 weeks I would expect to be charged in full but without a contract it's up for negotiation. Difficult one as you don't want to upset YO I assume?

I would ask straight up what YO's expectations are and then negotiate from there.

A fair compromise would be to pay in full for first week and have whatever services you usually use over and above basic livery and feed knocked off, but to pay for stable/turnout/bedding for the second week.
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Hi Nicnac, no I don't want to upset YO
 
I have had a couple of horses go away to hospital (maximum 1 week). I do not make a reduction in livery. But if it was longer then I would knock off an amount to represent the amount of haylage, feed and bedding I would be saving, but would not knock off stable rent and labour as this would be a loss to me and I wouldn't be able to get anyone else in to make it up.
 
Tiffany said:
Assisted DIY cost including stable, grazing, turnout & bring in 5 days pw plus haylage is £45.00 pw so didn't know whether I would just be expected to pay that to keep stable.

I buy my own bedding and feed.
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That's really cheap so I'd propose that you pay £45 a week while you are away as your starting point for negotiation. Good luck.
 
Wagtail said:
I have had a couple of horses go away to hospital (maximum 1 week). I do not make a reduction in livery. But if it was longer then I would knock off an amount to represent the amount of haylage, feed and bedding I would be saving, but would not knock off stable rent and labour as this would be a loss to me and I wouldn't be able to get anyone else in to make it up.
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I do exactly the same when my liveries go to hospital or are away for any other reason.
 
It would depend on what livery options the yard offers. If they only have full livery then I would expect to pay the normal rate.

However if they build it up based on what you get ie basic DIY Livery is say £40, part Livery (turn out/fetch in/rug change mon-fri etc) say £70, full Livery (no schooling) (as per part Livery but includes weekends and grooming) say £100 and full schooling Livery say £180, then as long as I give them notice I would only expect to pay the minimum package for the time I was away.
 
im on DIY - so pay for my box

but when i was on full liver y a few years ago (was 85 a week then) i paid £35 a week as a retainer


your not using their feed/bedding etc so a reasonable DIY retainer price is ample imo....

but if its for a week for a quiet life (unless you get on well with you YO) id just pay full price :)
 
A bit awkward really. As livery it would be nice to think that if your horse is not using any facilities then a reduction would be given. However, if I was the yard owner i would be thinking jog on. Do you expect any reduction in rent/mortgage/insurance etc when you go on holiday? Just because you're not using your house doesn't mean that these things don't have to be pad. Good luck with that one. If the yard is perfect for you then I wouln't want to upset the apple cart
 
mrmac said:
A bit awkward really. As livery it would be nice to think that if your horse is not using any facilities then a reduction would be given. However, if I was the yard owner i would be thinking jog on. Do you expect any reduction in rent/mortgage/insurance etc when you go on holiday? Just because you're not using your house doesn't mean that these things don't have to be pad. Good luck with that one. If the yard is perfect for you then I wouln't want to upset the apple cart
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You carry on paying rent/mortgage but you don't carry on paying your gas and electric do you? Or continue doing grocery shopping?

I think it is fair enough to ask for a discount to reflect the hay, feed and bedding that isn't being used. Obviously you will still need to pay your box rent.
 
Our yard reduces livery cost if horse is away for any reason... Usually 10-15 per week less. That way they still get enough to reflect the stable is retained but they aren't charging for hay/straw we would otherwise use
 
My horse is going off to be broken and my YO expects me to pay half of my livery. I think this is reasonable as long as she does not put a horse out in my field, as I am hoping a month on rest will give it some life.
 
I paid the same amount whenever my horses were away for a couple of weeks. When my mare went away to stud for 6 months I asked to pay a reduced fee to save the stable, was on part livery but was told I had to pay full price. I gave notice and then 6 months later a stable was available so moved back and saved myself what could have been a few hundred pounds. In a yard with a lot of empty boxes the yard owner did herself out of £200 a month by wanting me to pay the full £560 whilst the horse wasn't there.
 
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