Livery Yard Decisions

[PalOfThePonies]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice.

A little back story to begin with… I’m looking at getting my first horse in the next few weeks. Although it’s my first, I have experience with sharing a pony, horse-sitting and currently completing a Masters degree related to horses so fairly confident in my ability to care for my own. However since it is my first, I’m unsure what to estimate with regards to hay and bedding, preferably straw. I’ve been looking at livery yards and so far have two possibly options at the moment, and going to view another this week. My dilemma is that one is more expensive but includes forage and bedding.

Yard One

• No spaces currently but price has just increased so may have some people leave at the end of the month
• 12x12 stables with plenty of space to tie up outside (under cover) if needed
• Separate feed and tack room
• Wash boxes
• 20x40 and 20x60 schools with poles and jumps
• 5 horse walker
• Individual turnout although may have to walk through a field of one horse to access it, or be the horse at the front so a horse would have to walk through my field
• Unlimited hay/haulage and straw included, or alternatively - 1 bale of shavings a week
• Off road hacking limited - shortish route round a field

Priced at £260 pcm

Yard Two

• Currently have spaces which can be reserved for £120 deposit
• 12x9 brick stable
• Space to tie up but no cover outside stable
• A space in tack room, but have to fit hay/straw/tack/rugs in a smallish space
• Varied turnout depending on horse from individual to small groups
• Approx 25x40 school with some jumps and a floodlight
• Hay and straw not included and limited space, e.g. probably could fit a large bale of hay and small bales of straw but not much else
• A bit of off-road hacking once travelled on road through the village, possibly some homemade xc jumps down one local bridle path

Priced at £120 pcm

Horse is ~16hh ISH and seems fairly laidback, currently living out 24/7 with a pal.

Not sure if it’s better going for the more expensive yard which includes hay and straw or if it is better to go for the slightly cheaper yard and buy in my own hay and straw. Just not sure how much I could bulk buy because of the limited storage space so could work out more expensive in the long run. After briefly researching I’m predicting small bales of hay at approx £4 and big bales at £30-40. Small bales of straw about £4, but not sure how accurate that is!

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated!

 

[Snow Falcon]

Have you visited the yards and chatted to people? There maybe a better feel at one. Space at yard two, from what you've written, seems more limited than yard one.

I don't stable so couldn't comment on bedding/hay costs for that but my small bales are £5.50 delivered.

 

[JBM]

Personally I’d prefer the first option but other livery members are a huge factor
The more space the better with horses
The two arenas and the horse Walker would be a big plus for me
12x9 is a weird size stable tbh
My girl is 16hh but long long back 6’3 rugs
And 12x12 is a good size for her

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Neither sounds ideal tbh, 12x9 is too small for a 16hh horse. The facilities sound a bit better at option 1 but the limited hacking and individual turnout would be a big negative. I think your price for a small bale of hay is way out unless you’re in a particularly cheap part of the country.

 

[black and brown]

In all honesty neither really appeal to me. In particular, the size of the stable at yard 2 seems too small for a large horse. Yard 1 seems a slightly better option but individual turnout may not suit.

 

[Pippity]

My hay is £6/small bale, and I generally go through two a week. £4 seems extremely cheap.

To be honest, even allowing that you always have to make some concessions on a livery yard, I don't think I'd go for either of them.

Yard one only having individual turnout and very little hacking would be a dealbreaker for me, but I suppose it depends on the horse and what you're planning on doing with them.

Yard two's stables are too small for a 16hh horse.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice.

A little back story to begin with… I’m looking at getting my first horse in the next few weeks. Although it’s my first, I have experience with sharing a pony, horse-sitting and currently completing a Masters degree related to horses so fairly confident in my ability to care for my own. However since it is my first, I’m unsure what to estimate with regards to hay and bedding, preferably straw. I’ve been looking at livery yards and so far have two possibly options at the moment, and going to view another this week. My dilemma is that one is more expensive but includes forage and bedding.

Yard One

• No spaces currently but price has just increased so may have some people leave at the end of the month
• 12x12 stables with plenty of space to tie up outside (under cover) if needed
• Separate feed and tack room
• Wash boxes
• 20x40 and 20x60 schools with poles and jumps
• 5 horse walker
• Individual turnout although may have to walk through a field of one horse to access it, or be the horse at the front so a horse would have to walk through my field
• Unlimited hay/haulage and straw included, or alternatively - 1 bale of shavings a week
• Off road hacking limited - shortish route round a field

Priced at £260 pcm

Yard Two

• Currently have spaces which can be reserved for £120 deposit
• 12x9 brick stable
• Space to tie up but no cover outside stable
• A space in tack room, but have to fit hay/straw/tack/rugs in a smallish space
• Varied turnout depending on horse from individual to small groups
• Approx 25x40 school with some jumps and a floodlight
• Hay and straw not included and limited space, e.g. probably could fit a large bale of hay and small bales of straw but not much else
• A bit of off-road hacking once travelled on road through the village, possibly some homemade xc jumps down one local bridle path

Priced at £120 pcm

Horse is ~16hh ISH and seems fairly laidback, currently living out 24/7 with a pal.

Not sure if it’s better going for the more expensive yard which includes hay and straw or if it is better to go for the slightly cheaper yard and buy in my own hay and straw. Just not sure how much I could bulk buy because of the limited storage space so could work out more expensive in the long run. After briefly researching I’m predicting small bales of hay at approx £4 and big bales at £30-40. Small bales of straw about £4, but not sure how accurate that is!

Any advice or opinions would be much appreciated!

Yard one for me. Cheaper in the long run, more facilities and horse walker would sell it for me.

 

[Nari]

I'd keep looking. 12x9 stable is too small for a 16hh, and for me individual turnout is a no.

When looking at a yard my priority is whether or not it's right for my horse, things like short on storage are a nuisance for me not him.

 

[Winters100]

I think we could do with a bit more info if you want an opinion. Yard 2 does not sound suitable to me as I would not like mine standing in such small box for any length of time, but what are the sizes of the turnout paddocks in yard 1? Would it be possible to buddy up with someone and let him have a friend? Are the paddocks big enough? And is turnout available all year round? For what hours? What do you want to do with the horse? Unfortunately when it comes to horses the nearest options are not always suitable. I drive past 8 other yards, all of them not suitable, to get to my horses.

 

[nagblagger]

I also wouldn't want to lead my horse through a field with another loose horse. I agree with the majority, I would be looking for an option 3.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Having led our well behaved horse through another to get in and out I would definitely avoid this option! We found horses who want to come in when yours does a real pain around the gate...we had several near misses with injuries and escaping horses! It was super stressful!

Also I'd say try and find a yard where you can ride in winter with the floodlights if you need to ride after 4.30 pm.

I'd keep looking personally...Good luck x

 

[Melody Grey]

Casting aside differences in stable size, hacking etc. The £140 pcm difference is quite a bit for your hay and straw- I can keep three on less than that, though area rates might be quite different- I’m in the cheap midlands!

 

[Dexter]

My hay is £6/small bale, and I generally go through two a week. £4 seems extremely cheap.

I got through one a day if the 16hander is stabled overnight

 

[claret09]

i personally would go for option one, however, if you decide to use shavings you will definitely need to factor in buying your own to top up the bed during the week . also you will need more to start off a bed. i have a big bed, take out all wet and poo twice a day and i get through at least two/three bales a week. you might decide straw is more cost effective - i struggle to use it as have a bad back and a horse who can cough in dust.

secondly, you need to factor in what ever hard feed you decide to use - that will depend upon what you are planning to do with the horse, it's temperament, etc. initially find out what the seller is feeding and go from there. hope that helps

the stable in option two would be tight for size

 

[PalOfThePonies]

Thank you all for your responses!

I may have slightly underestimated hay bale prices but I know for definite that a local yard has small hay bales at £4.50. Thankfully I’m Midlands based so not super expensive!

I agree in that both yards have their faults, I have another one to view and another to contact so hoping they come up with something. We have quite a few yards nearby but have managed to rule out a few for various reasons. Yard One was more restrictive on turnout times, e.g. in during the day/out at night, etc. whereas Yard Two was very lenient with turnout, most horses seem to be out majority of the time, which is something I would prefer! Or to have that flexibility at least.

I’ve been to view this horse the once, lovely character but been out of work for a while so needs major muscle building, so probably will have to be on some kind of hard feed but have factored that in separately! Ideally want him to eventually be a bit of a low level all rounder. I’m not the biggest fan of hacking (as in couldn’t do it solely) but want to make sure I’m keeping work load varied so various different routes would be great to keep us both interested. So ultimately I want good hacking and a nice school, but know compromises must be made!

If only I could win the lottery and build the perfect yard!

 

[Aperchristmas]

I personally would go for Yard 2 even though it doesn't sound ideal (so in reality I'd keep looking). Individual turnout is a complete line in the sand for me as I find it causes separation anxiety among many other issues further down the line as the horse has been stressed for so long. (Obviously there are exceptions and I know horses do exist that can only have individual turnout, but let's be honest they're few and far between)

 

[Wishfilly]

I know Yard One also has more facilities, but I don't think hay and straw is worth £140 a month- you could source it yourself more cheaply than this, even if you can only buy small bales. I also think the set up of either having to lead through a horse's field to catch yours or have another led through yours could cause issues. I would want clarity on what would happen if e.g. your horse got out when someone else was bringing through your field and caused damage.

I'd also be concerned that you could be waiting around for a space for a while- if no-one has given notice yet, then they may not.

I'd prefer Yard Two, except I agree that the stable is too small- are all the stables this size, or could you move to a bigger one once on the yard? ETA: if you can have the horse out the majority of the time, a stable of that size should be okay (except for e.g. box rest) and you may find you don't need to buy in/store much bedding.

Is there definitely no option three?

 

[Zoeypxo]

Yard 2 would suit me better, stable is too small but would be fine just for brining in and tacking up in/vet visits. Which has more turnout? You say he is used to 24hr turnout.
Tbh i dont really like the sound of either! Hopefully something else pops up

 

[Fire sign]

Yard 1 for me I always want my hay included and the size of the arena is key

 

[Lady Jane]

Yard 1 - you can't put a horse that size in a 12 x9 stable. I had my horse in a 12 x12 and personally think its a bit small but it is the standard size for stables. my 15h1 now in a 14 x 14 and he does look a bit small!

 

[ihatework]

Never in a million years would I want a 16hh in a 12x9 so that would automatically rule that out.

£65/week for the first yard sounds pretty good for a yard with those facilities.

 

[Starzaan]

The individual turnout would be a huge no from me. Turnout with other horses is a basic necessity in my opinion.
And 12x9 is far too small. I would be looking for a different option.

 

[Merry neddy man]

I hate individual turnout and 12 x 9 stable is to small, so its option 3. Have a look on www.*******.co.uk

 

[ponynutz]

I'd personally love Yard 1 - not a huge fan of individual turnout but I'd do it for the other stuff. One bale of shavings a week included is very generous especially. I would pay the £260 for Yard 1.

For me it would depend on how quickly I needed to get a space. Yard 2 doesn't sound negative and, from what you've described, I'd have no queries stabling there if it meant I could get a space quicker.

Hay and straw prices are going up and up atm - if I could get a contract where those costs were covered for me I'd be a very happy bunny. You'd probably end up spending £260 or more anyway at Yard 2...

Good luck with the first horse!

 

[Lois Lame]

Individual turn-out only would get a no from me.

Regarding hours of turn-out, I sometimes read on here that a certain amount of turnout might be promised, but what is delivered ends up getting a lot less. I don't know how often this happens. I'd want to know just how definite the promised hours are. What happens in muddy weather? Do these hours suddenly change? If so, what to?

I'd also want to know the size of the paddocks. I'd need to see everything and get a feel for them. Meeting other people would be of interest too [whispers] to suss out any difficult personalities.

 

[maya2008]

Horses don't do well without hacking. How bad is it really? Can you get off-road after some roadwork? I would also look at the turnout situation - are the fields closed in winter? More turnout, more hacking makes a happy horse. You can just hack a horse and do nothing else, and it will be blissfully happy. Go in the school 6 days a week and you'll soon have an avalanche of unwanted behaviours that steadily get worse.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Personally I don't have a problem with individual turnout as long as the horses are out near each other...ours is on a yard with individual turnout and he's next to horses both sides and opposite his paddock and no issues whatsoever...for us it's far less stressful than having to wrestle past other horses by the gate when you are trying to get him out and others try and push past plus the avoidance of getting kicked etc...we've had ours at both types of yard and he's never shown any difference in behaviour. He's been kicked in the field before so we much prefer the individual option where we are now, also easier to manage grazing and his weight!

 

[Archangel]

Yard 1 sounds OK apart from the hacking. It might be fine to go through a field with another horse to get to your field, but it might add daily stress, especially in winter when everyone gets a bit zippy. I am a huge fan of a taped off corral at gates so you can get in/out without 'help' from the other horses.

Yard 2 - box is too small. What is the ground like where you are looking? It could be very wet in winter and turnout gets limited, in which case the small stable at yard 2 would be a problem.

Good and safe hacking would be ideal for you and your first horse.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Yard 1 sounds OK apart from the hacking. It might be fine to go through a field with another horse to get to your field, but it might add daily stress, especially in winter when everyone gets a bit zippy. I am a huge fan of a taped off corral at gates so you can get in/out without 'help' from the other horses.

Yard 2 - box is too small. What is the ground like where you are looking? It could be very wet in winter and turnout gets limited, in which case the small stable at yard 2 would be a problem.

Good and safe hacking would be ideal for you and your first horse.

Totally agree with everything said here, hopefully you can find something else x

 

[Sossigpoker]

A 12 x 9 is only suitable for a small horse or pony, no way should you keep a 16 hh in one so please don't even consider that yard. And as he's used to living out , shutting him in a tiny box like that would be double cruel.
My 15 hh is in about 12 x 11 box until we move shortly but he's only in for the day time. I consider that to be too small and he's only 15 hh and short backed!