Evie91
Well-Known Member
Another no I'm afraid. For me turnout is a neccessity and non negotiable!
Maybe of interest if horse is on box rest.....
Maybe of interest if horse is on box rest.....
Livery with no grazing.
- Thread starter snooch
- Start date
snooch
Member
Personally I am a very experienced horse woman but not so arrogant as to say I could not learn from other people because I am learning all the time lol.
I have already sourced out the competition and to be honest there does not seen to be any, in that i mean that there are plenty of horses needing stables in my area and most people either have a waiting list or are turning people away
Darkwater
Well-Known Member
Another definite no from me too. For the odd person it might be ok, and if it was just for your own horses you could probably make it work, but for 15 - absolutely not. I very much doubt you would find that many people to fill the yard anyway judging by the responses to this post.
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
I would set yourself up as a comp yard. My horses when competing don't really go out. Id rather ride and use a walker
WelshD
Well-Known Member
If the paddock is very small I would make it the same all weather surface and drainage as a manege as a paddock will become a dust bath or mud bath otherwise
You could always give two boxes per livery so they have individual storage which would cut down on numbers (though also your profit) but would make managing turnout much easier
The set up would suit one of my ponies which is probably why I'm not as blunt as other people but not the majority of other horses I can think of though
You are either looking for high level competition liveries - the sort that exercise their horses a lot and can live with limited turnout as long as the other facilities are high quality or you are looking for bin end budget liveries who cant afford better
I'm not sure about licences but certainly there are plenty of racing yards, showing yards and competition yards with little or even no turnout - one racing yard recently came on the market - 40 boxes and a turnout area 20 x 50m so I cant see there being minimum turnout standards for yards
You could always give two boxes per livery so they have individual storage which would cut down on numbers (though also your profit) but would make managing turnout much easier
The set up would suit one of my ponies which is probably why I'm not as blunt as other people but not the majority of other horses I can think of though
You are either looking for high level competition liveries - the sort that exercise their horses a lot and can live with limited turnout as long as the other facilities are high quality or you are looking for bin end budget liveries who cant afford better
I'm not sure about licences but certainly there are plenty of racing yards, showing yards and competition yards with little or even no turnout - one racing yard recently came on the market - 40 boxes and a turnout area 20 x 50m so I cant see there being minimum turnout standards for yards
caileag
Well-Known Member
If I was in your shoes OP I would try to sort something out with that farmer's field up front. If it's not possible to rent then I would walk away from this. As a business venture the number of potential clients would be very limited.
milos
Well-Known Member
Then if three are waiting lists then I would say there is a need. The other things I think that make it a success are that they only offer full livery ie I would imagine that this means that routines are stuck to so all the horses know what's happening and the yard do feeds ie owners don't get involved in feeds and what the horses are fed that way there aren't any hyper horses as the yard manager monitors all feeds and knows how to feed such horses. All the horses as I say seem very settled and look amazing so yes if you feel you have what it takes then why not give it a go.
Calvo
Well-Known Member
grazing all year round for my dressage horse is a must so no
ironhorse
Well-Known Member
Even if you could get grazing nearby it's a pain to move the horses around. I worked at a yard that had about 5 acres of their own grazing on site for 30 horses (it was a riding school and they did have 2 arenas and an orchard that was used for turnout in the summer). They rented 20 acres about a mile away down a bridleway, but it was a real chore fetching horses from the rented land when they were needed for lessons - we used to get a lift down there with the tack and then ride and lead back, but it was a bit chaotic at the best of times, and I'm not sure liveries would want to do this for their own horses. They had some more land even further away and I remember fetching my horse back from there after he'd had a holiday and having to hack him back across a motorway island :0
Unless there is a market for something like hunter livery locally and you have the experience/contacts to make this work, I don't think it's a goer, sorry.
Unless there is a market for something like hunter livery locally and you have the experience/contacts to make this work, I don't think it's a goer, sorry.
WelshD
Well-Known Member
Bear in mind that although there is demand in your area you could fill your yard full of people desperate for livery who swear they understand about limited turnout only to find that reality sets in and people move or worse make your life a living hell!
How many times do we see people online whinging about their yards rules when they knew the rules before they moved to the yard!
How many times do we see people online whinging about their yards rules when they knew the rules before they moved to the yard!
Exploding Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
The only thing I would think about would be a holding station for horses in transit, the stables need to be near a motorway, have experienced onsite staff and/ or and accommodation for travelling grooms.
Polar Bear9
Well-Known Member
Personally absolutely no way, ever.
However I do know many people who would and do go to yards with no turnout (and then pay a huge premium for a yard with a walker and fabulous schools)
However I do know many people who would and do go to yards with no turnout (and then pay a huge premium for a yard with a walker and fabulous schools)
Marmitesandwich
Member
No. I wouldn't want to do this. Our horses have turn out every day of the year. I can't bear to see them standing in all day.
noodle_
Well-Known Member
no never,
not even with arena turnout....
not even with arena turnout....
kinnygirl1
Well-Known Member
For my horse no, I would never not have turn out. 24/7 turnout has been a revelation for me! However I can see that there might be a small niche market for what you offer...laminitics, injured or box resting horses perhaps?
Kikke
Well-Known Member
no am afraid not.
Princess Rosie
Well-Known Member
This is most likely your best option if you are close to major routes? I've had a horse go through lairage before after ferry was cancelled. Found this link for you and gives you an idea what they are offering, if you scroll to the bottom of the page on the link there is a lairage yard listed in the UK.
http://www.findhorsetransport.org/lairage.html#uk
Firefly9410
Well-Known Member
You could make this work OP especially if there is a high demand for livery in your area. Livery yards are not licenced and there is no legal requirement for turnout. You would need to make sure it is crystal clear to people what you are offering. For example saying there is a turnout pen for use in pairs is ok, but you need to specify how and when or you will find some selfish person puts their horses out at 10am and gets them in at 3pm, meaning anybody else who turns up during those times cannot use it.
I have been on a yard with no turnout and it worked well. There was a turnout pen and it was used sensibly by the liveries, mostly while we mucked out or when nobody else was at the yard, so all the horses had a turn. Everyone found another horse who got along with theirs for turnout so no horse was always isolated. We had direct access to off road hacking but no arena or walker. It was cheaper than most other yards in the area. For anyone wanting to ride most days it worked out fine. Not everyone wants lots of turnout as a necessity. One idea that might work for you is renting the whole yard to one person with a lot of horses, who is happy to sublet any stables they do not need to liveries, with them being the YM and you not being involved with or taking money from the liveries.
A lot of yards have no turnout in winter so I think you would have no problem filling your yard then but may find people leave in summer for 24/7 grazing, except anyone with laminitis prone horses they might prefer to stay with access to stabling. If you have transport and are willing to move peoples horses twice a year, then separate summer grazing could work ok. People would need a section of the field fenced off so cars could get in the gate without horses escaping. You would need a car park area and a tying up area with posts and tie rings so people can tack up and groom. A tap with a hose would be good too. People can bring tack and grooming kit in their cars. If a horse got ill or injured you could bring it back to the stables.
I have been on a yard with no turnout and it worked well. There was a turnout pen and it was used sensibly by the liveries, mostly while we mucked out or when nobody else was at the yard, so all the horses had a turn. Everyone found another horse who got along with theirs for turnout so no horse was always isolated. We had direct access to off road hacking but no arena or walker. It was cheaper than most other yards in the area. For anyone wanting to ride most days it worked out fine. Not everyone wants lots of turnout as a necessity. One idea that might work for you is renting the whole yard to one person with a lot of horses, who is happy to sublet any stables they do not need to liveries, with them being the YM and you not being involved with or taking money from the liveries.
A lot of yards have no turnout in winter so I think you would have no problem filling your yard then but may find people leave in summer for 24/7 grazing, except anyone with laminitis prone horses they might prefer to stay with access to stabling. If you have transport and are willing to move peoples horses twice a year, then separate summer grazing could work ok. People would need a section of the field fenced off so cars could get in the gate without horses escaping. You would need a car park area and a tying up area with posts and tie rings so people can tack up and groom. A tap with a hose would be good too. People can bring tack and grooming kit in their cars. If a horse got ill or injured you could bring it back to the stables.
HaffiesRock
Well-Known Member
My ponies are on 24/7 turnout and there is nothing that would make me give that up, so I am a no.
There are the odd ones though, like the lady who took my spaces when I moved from livery, who stabled her showjumpers for 22 hours a day.
I personally would want to do some research and maybe get some interest up front. It would be awful if you spent a fortune installing a horse walker etc, then nobody came.
There are the odd ones though, like the lady who took my spaces when I moved from livery, who stabled her showjumpers for 22 hours a day.
I personally would want to do some research and maybe get some interest up front. It would be awful if you spent a fortune installing a horse walker etc, then nobody came.
Liz H
Well-Known Member
Many moons ago I was in the RMP, the Mounted Troop kept the horses in 24/7. They were exercised daily, weather it be ridden or horse walker. Those horses were in superb condition, not choppsy at being stabled for so long and quite happy in their own skin. I wouldn't want it for mine, who love their turnout, especially in summer, but the Military horses were very settled. I will be prepared to be shot down in flames ( in a nice way please) but I don't think the MOD mounts in London etc get free turnout but are very well cared for. So if you can find people who can, more importantly will, exercise daily you may have a market. Obviously there will have to be ménage/ hacking / school, so no, horses can and do have a happy life without free turnout.
gina2201
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't even entertain it.
A friend of mine used to rent a yard with 3 stables but no grazing and she separately rented a field a short walk away down the lane so it IS possible - but I'm not sure that on such a large scale of 15 stables that it would work! I certainly wouldn't be investing my own money into just stables with no land or no opportunity to purchase adjoining land.
A friend of mine used to rent a yard with 3 stables but no grazing and she separately rented a field a short walk away down the lane so it IS possible - but I'm not sure that on such a large scale of 15 stables that it would work! I certainly wouldn't be investing my own money into just stables with no land or no opportunity to purchase adjoining land.
smellsofhorse
Well-Known Member
I would not.
But plenty do.
You are more likely to get serious people consider it for top competition horses, eventers, hunters etc.
Maybe rent as a whole to a professional rider.
Or advertise as a recouperation livery yard for injured horses.
Those on box rest and needing limited turnout and fitness work.
Installing a walker would be a huge plus.
The only issue is liveries wouldn't be long term, there would be lots of turn over.
Get a good reputation and references and you could ask your local equine vets to recommend you to owners of injured horses.
But plenty do.
You are more likely to get serious people consider it for top competition horses, eventers, hunters etc.
Maybe rent as a whole to a professional rider.
Or advertise as a recouperation livery yard for injured horses.
Those on box rest and needing limited turnout and fitness work.
Installing a walker would be a huge plus.
The only issue is liveries wouldn't be long term, there would be lots of turn over.
Get a good reputation and references and you could ask your local equine vets to recommend you to owners of injured horses.
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Woody Le Bois
Well-Known Member
Absolutely not. I am not too bothered if my horse goes out for a whole day or just a few hours but at least some turn out is a must.
Spotsrock
Well-Known Member
I Wouldnt but a lot of competition horses are kept this way.
Tallante
Well-Known Member
You're describing the yard my horse is on. It can work but every horse must be fit, a school and horsewalker are essential. Every horse must be worked every day, it's a difficult business and not ideal. turning out into the evening will be necessary.
AmyMay
Situation normal
Nope. Never. Why would it ever be a consideration?
Nightmare before Christmas
Well-Known Member
i know many high level yards with little to no turn out
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
No.
AmyMay
Situation normal
alainax
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't work for me.
According to the other suggestions though you may still have a few specialist options. Like specialising in horses who need restricted turn out/ grazing for medical reasons, a high end competition yard etc. Each of these may be possible, but will have to be highly specialised and set up for their particular need. Certainly not a run of the mill yard.
According to the other suggestions though you may still have a few specialist options. Like specialising in horses who need restricted turn out/ grazing for medical reasons, a high end competition yard etc. Each of these may be possible, but will have to be highly specialised and set up for their particular need. Certainly not a run of the mill yard.