LIVERY TIPS

karabella

karabella

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15 July 2012
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Hi everyone i have just took over a livery yard and wondered if anyone had any tips for me this is a new venture and i don't expect it to be easy also what do people prefer mares/geldings together or mares and geldings separate i've always been on yards where they are together.
 
I mix them, but you can get probems with some geldings when they are mixed. My yard is only small so I match horses that get on well together regardless of sex, but if I had a larger yard then I would probably turn mares and geldings out seperately.
 
My yard owner always does her best to make sure all the horses are owners are happy. The horses have been mixed around a lot to find who they get on best with. We have a group of geldings, then a couple of mare, then the rest are mixed.

Always try to be diplomatic. You might want to try your best to make everyone happy, but sometimes it just doesn't work.

Also from experience of being on other yards..try to be friendly and approachable, but don't get too involved in all the gossip etc.
Good luck!!
 
I have always been on mixed herd.
This is unrelated to turrnout but one thing I would suggest. Cctv cameras, not necesarilly in the event of a robbery but to save fights and things between liverys
 
Been on a few yards and the ones that work best have a strong character running them, and if you don't like it lump it attitude the ones where YO try to pleae everyone are just a shambles I've found. Make rules, make the rules known and if people don't stick to them then get rid.

Sound harsh but the yards ran like that in eyes have been the best. People don't take the mick then and everyone seems happy.
 
Think carefully about how you want to run your yard and what would annoy you. Make no assumptions. You don't say if you are DIY or part,full livery. You need to think about access, dogs, small children, working regimes, opening times, parking of trailers and boxes, etc etc. whatever you do, you need to put contracts in place to ensure everyone is clear. My YO didn't do this initially and then had a grass livery going with no notice and owing money for supplements. Liverys response was " no contract, get stuffed." meant the rest of us now pay individually and so don't get the discounts but I would have done the same in my YOs place.
 
Turn out to suit the horse, some don't suit big groups, we are moving because YO has made it clear they don't care that mine is being bullied in the field and every time I have tried to rug him it has been destroyed.
 
One good source of info is the BHS website where you can download livery contracts, which will give you a good idea of what you might like to include.

As a (DIY) YO; allow me to offer the following thoughts:

I'f you've got a good livery, one that pays on time, is conscientious, tidy, looks after their horses well without hassling the YO and other liveries, and pleasant to get on with, then FGS hang onto them! You may need to be a little bit more flexible than you'd originally planned, but a good livery is worth hanging onto!!

(other side of the coin) if you ARE unfortunate to get a bad egg, then get rid PDQ and don't mess around. Anyone that doesn't look after their horses, is untidy, and/or creates factions with other liveries just isn't worth the hassle - best to send them up the road as soon as you can.

EVERYONE should sign a contract before putting horses in the yard. If you can its good to be able to isolate new arrivals just in case.

No horse to be left in the field on its own. No horses to be moved to different fields without YO's consent.

Any livery mistreating their horse and/or not fulfilling their livery contract will be asked to leave. Which includes excessive use of the whip/spurs etc.

When my boy was on livery at equestrian college they had a rule that everyone had to wear a hard hat & gloves when riding or leading - no exceptions. So think this is a good rule to institute at any yard. Plus there was a "no jewellery" plus no smoking policy in place.

Sorry meant to include also that everyone on the yard should have at least third party insurance in place; also horses to be wormed & vaccinated regularly.

Have something written in your contract and make it public, about the "what if" scenario, i.e. a "euthanasia clause", words to the effect that if YO can't contact a livery and the worst happens that a vet may euthanise the horse to prevent suffering etc and the livery is liable for all fees in connection with. Awful to think of, but you'll be glad you did if something awful does happen.
 
Make sure the clients suit you & the yard. I'm a mum, I like kids & teens, I'd have a yard full, if you don't then it will soon drive you potty if you end up with plenty. If you get the right liveries, rules & the rest are so much simpler. I prefer mixed, but you do need some leeway to swop horses about, even without troublemakers or difficult horses.
 
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