livery yard Belfast and surrounding areas

[cobandsuz]

I am currently looking at possible livery yards in the Belfast and surrounding area for my well behaved cob.
I will be moving over with work from Scotland at the middle of Feb and bringing my chunky cob with me.
Does not have to have amazing facilities but turnout and care being most important.

I have looked at a few BHS approved
Burn Equestrain
Lessons
Lusks

If anyone has any other suggestions i would be greatful.

 

[sportsmansB]

Depends a bit what side of the city you will be on. There are quite a lot of small private yards with outdoor arenas of varying standards. Turnout can be weather dependent (at least if you are from scotland you will already be used to rain lol)
Let me know which side of the city you will be on, and whether you want DIY or more, and how far you are willing to travel and I'll think of a few for you (PM if you prefer)

 

[smolmaus]

All 3 of those yards are v big and have riding schools attached, which generally means great facilities and not the best turnout. I can't speak specifically as I havent liveried at any of them but I would be asking for detailed and specific turnout arrangements from each of them. Not just "winter turnout depending on weather".

Birr House is another RS that you'd need to ask similar questions of but I know a few people that love it there.

You'd probably find better turnout at some of the small private yards. The FB groups below might be useful
https://www.facebook.com/groups/stableyard/?ref=share
https://www.facebook.com/groups/396533600446239/?ref=share

 

[cobandsuz]

Depends a bit what side of the city you will be on. There are quite a lot of small private yards with outdoor arenas of varying standards. Turnout can be weather dependent (at least if you are from scotland you will already be used to rain lol)
Let me know which side of the city you will be on, and whether you want DIY or more, and how far you are willing to travel and I'll think of a few for you (PM if you prefer)

I will be in south Belfast but willing to travel a little if needed. I would prefer the option for both DIY and full a few days. Thanks in advance x

 

[cobandsuz]

All 3 of those yards are v big and have riding schools attached, which generally means great facilities and not the best turnout. I can't speak specifically as I havent liveried at any of them but I would be asking for detailed and specific turnout arrangements from each of them. Not just "winter turnout depending on weather".

Birr House is another RS that you'd need to ask similar questions of but I know a few people that love it there.

You'd probably find better turnout at some of the small private yards. The FB groups below might be useful
https://www.facebook.com/groups/stableyard/?ref=share
https://www.facebook.com/groups/396533600446239/?ref=share

Thanks for the heads up about the turnout. I will go and have a look at the fb groups x

 

[Rowreach]

Good advice above, and welcome to the forum, there are not many NI people posting regularly on here so you will boost the numbers if you stick around

 

[sportsmansB]

Ardnacashel is a pretty good spot and definitely has turnout and fantastic arenas and quiet hacking. Its about 20 mins from south east belfast. Knowledgeable owners.
https://ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk/
Lusks in your list above also has great facilities, I'm not sure about winter turnout, there is also a riding school there so not 100% on access at all times / use of indoor.

 

[smolmaus]

Lusks in your list above also has great facilities, I'm not sure about winter turnout, there is also a riding school there so not 100% on access at all times / use of indoor.

An area of the (absolutely massive) indoor at Lusks is reserved for the RS so liveries do share use with private and group lessons. Same for the outdoor, you'll sometimes have a group lesson (thats what I'm there for) toddling round next door. Doesn't seem to cause many problems but still worth knowing!

 

[cobandsuz]

Ardnacashel is a pretty good spot and definitely has turnout and fantastic arenas and quiet hacking. Its about 20 mins from south east belfast. Knowledgeable owners.
https://ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk/
Lusks in your list above also has great facilities, I'm not sure about winter turnout, there is also a riding school there so not 100% on access at all times / use of indoor.

i have have a look at Ardnacashel x

 

[cobandsuz]

An area of the (absolutely massive) indoor at Lusks is reserved for the RS so liveries do share use with private and group lessons. Same for the outdoor, you'll sometimes have a group lesson (thats what I'm there for) toddling round next door. Doesn't seem to cause many problems but still worth knowing!

thanks for the heads up x

 

[Cherryblossom]

The Burn seems to be haemorrhaging liveries at the moment. I’ve heard lots of complaints about how it’s being managed. On the plus side, it’s very close and the hacking round the hospital is excellent.
Haganscroft is worth a look- seems to have happy liveries and does lots of little shows.
I live near Ardnacashel and work in Belfast, not sure I’d want my horse to be so far away, although I know our definition of ‘far’ can be a little colloquial!

 

[smolmaus]

The Burn seems to be haemorrhaging liveries at the moment. I’ve heard lots of complaints about how it’s being managed. On the plus side, it’s very close and the hacking round the hospital is excellent.
Haganscroft is worth a look- seems to have happy liveries and does lots of little shows.

I have only heard good things about Haganscroft!

Dont know what's going on at the Burn but someone did mention something similar to me recently. There was a while there in early winter where half the (horsey) country seemed to be trying to move yards though. I assumed it was prices going up had everybody flapping.

 

[Equi]

Hagenscroft is lovely but I’m unsure about turnout, I can ask my friend though. Ardnacashal is also nice. Lessans is limited turnout from memory but a decent indoor, a fair few liveries and kids though. There is another yard close to it (another poster is at it) but i don’t know if they have space and turnout is on hard standing only in winter. Spratts wouldn’t suit they are diy only.

Don’t go near the burn with a ten foot pole.

 

[Bluewaves]

This place is about 15 or so miles from Belfast. I used it for holiday livery a couple of times and the owner seemed very nice but I don't know what it's like for full time livery.

It might be too far for you though.

I think she has winter turnout paddocks but not sure what that means i.e. if it's individual hard standing or actual fields, which if they use must be sodden in winter as it's on the shores of Lough Neagh (literally, the horses can paddle in the lough). That also means lots of midges in summer which can be very annoying.

Rathlane Farm | Facebook

 

[cobandsuz]

The Burn seems to be haemorrhaging liveries at the moment. I’ve heard lots of complaints about how it’s being managed. On the plus side, it’s very close and the hacking round the hospital is excellent.
Haganscroft is worth a look- seems to have happy liveries a

The Burn seems to be haemorrhaging liveries at the moment. I’ve heard lots of complaints about how it’s being managed. On the plus side, it’s very close and the hacking round the hospital is excellent.
Haganscroft is worth a look- seems to have happy liveries and does lots of little shows.
I live near Ardnacashel and work in Belfast, not sure I’d want my horse to be so far away, although I know our definition of ‘far’ can be a little colloquial!

I will look into Ardnacashel and Haganscroft

 

[cobandsuz]

This place is about 15 or so miles from Belfast. I used it for holiday livery a couple of times and the owner seemed very nice but I don't know what it's like for full time livery.

It might be too far for you though.

I think she has winter turnout paddocks but not sure what that means i.e. if it's individual hard standing or actual fields, which if they use must be sodden in winter as it's on the shores of Lough Neagh (literally, the horses can paddle in the lough). That also means lots of midges in summer which can be very annoying.

Rathlane Farm | Facebook

Maybe a little far, but had a look on their page its beautiful x

 

[cobandsuz]

Hagenscroft is lovely but I’m unsure about turnout, I can ask my friend though. Ardnacashal is also nice. Lessans is limited turnout from memory but a decent indoor, a fair few liveries and kids though. There is another yard close to it (another poster is at it) but i don’t know if they have space and turnout is on hard standing only in winter. Spratts wouldn’t suit they are diy only.

Don’t go near the burn with a ten foot pole.

I will rule the Burn out lol
Kids dont bother me but turnout is important.

 

[sportsmansB]

I know some people who have been happy at Craigantlet House stables too, it has a private off road hacking circuit which is very rare over here.
Not 100% sure about turnout though.
Haganscroft is lovely and very well run, they also have friendly shows on site in all disciplines so plenty to get involved in. I have definitely seen horses in fields there but not sure if it is all year.

If you find other places independently and want a second opinion privately, feel free to PM

 

[Cherryblossom]

I know some people who have been happy at Craigantlet House stables too, it has a private off road hacking circuit which is very rare over here.
Not 100% sure about turnout though.
Haganscroft is lovely and very well run, they also have friendly shows on site in all disciplines so plenty to get involved in. I have definitely seen horses in fields there but not sure if it is all year.

If you find other places independently and want a second opinion privately, feel free to PM

Craigantlet House would also give you the benefit of having Penny Sangster on site to give lessons and go to clinics- She’s the best instructor I’ve ever had!

Does anyone know if Eric does Liveries at Lisbane Farm? It would be handy enough from South Belfast, has a good arena and all weather(ish) XC.

 

[Equi]

Not sure if he does but the house opposite did (it’s a relation)

I’d personally not get on there, eric would have me kicked out within a day ???

 

[smolmaus]

Not sure if he does but the house opposite did (it’s a relation)

I’d personally not get on there, eric would have me kicked out within a day ???

It's his wife (ex wife???) Olivia over the road and she does still have liveries, someone from our place moved there recently. Not heard anything good or bad tho.

I also would not like to livery with Eric (he does have some longer term liveries but I think its mostly schooling?), his yard is fab but he seems like a very intense person ?

 

[Equi]

He would be fab if you had big ambitions and wanted to have a crack at anything, but I don’t think he would suffer a fair weather happy hacker ?

 

[cobandsuz]

He would be fab if you had big ambitions and wanted to have a crack at anything, but I don’t think he would suffer a fair weather happy hacker ?

I know some people who have been happy at Craigantlet House stables too, it has a private off road hacking circuit which is very rare over here.
Not 100% sure about turnout though.
Haganscroft is lovely and very well run, they also have friendly shows on site in all disciplines so plenty to get involved in. I have definitely seen horses in fields there but not sure if it is all year.

If you find other places independently and want a second opinion privately, feel free to PM

Thanks so much

 

[cobandsuz]

He would be fab if you had big ambitions and wanted to have a crack at anything, but I don’t think he would suffer a fair weather happy hacker ?

Maybe wouldnt suit me LOL

 

[Cherryblossom]

It's his wife (ex wife???) Olivia over the road and she does still have liveries, someone from our place moved there recently. Not heard anything good or bad tho.

I also would not like to livery with Eric (he does have some longer term liveries but I think its mostly schooling?), his yard is fab but he seems like a very intense person ?

Ex wife. I think Olivia has pretty decent facilities and she ran the Burn back when it started, so has a good background in horse management, rather than just owning some land.

 

[FireCracker238]

Technically more east belfast direction - Loughview. No experience with them so don't know about turnout or full livery options

The lady at Birr House never seems to answer emails