Livery Yard Etiquette

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CobsGalore

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Very excited to be moving to a lovely new livery yard in the next few weeks! The problem is... I have rented a place with a friend for the last 3 years, and well, I fear I may have forgotten how to behave on a livery yard!

Apart from the obvious of being friendly, tidy and wearing a hat when you ride... What else should I do so as not to p*** anyone off!?
 
Probably one of the best things to do is not offer an opinion on someones horse or their riding unless you are specifically asked & even then be diplomatic. You can offer opinions on their driving, their sexual prowess, their wife or husband & that is no bother at all, but unsolicited comment on their horse or riding is fighting talk!! ;)
 
Not all livery yards are as bad as some make out. Why are you moving - you say you're excited? - is that because you're getting better riding/facilities? My old yard (I'm horseless at mo as he's on loan) was a lovely place and everyone was soo welcoming and excited to see a new horse arriving and put the kettle on for a new livery ready for a cuppa and welcome to the yard chat :)
 
I've found it better to be on livery yards with your "own kind". So if you compete, some other people that compete. If you are 20-30 then either sensible teenagers, people your own age, or active older liveries. And if you have a horse to ride, try and pick a yard where the other liveries do actually ride their horses!

I've found that yards with novices can be a minefield, not just because of the things you do, but you will get people who will judge you for doing things correctly!
 
Being friendly and tidy should serve you fine (I won't get into the hat debate:) )

I've been on a couple of fantastic small yards, and one nightmare small yard (well, the yard wasn't a nightmare but the resident b*tch who was very friendly with the owner was a major problem!!!) I am now on my first HUGE livery yard and I really didn't know if it would suit me or not, its mad busy, there's kids everywhere, dogs everywhere, really not my scene... but I love it!!! There's very little if any bitchiness (complete opposite to a similar size yard just round the corner which is horrendous if you're not in with the clicky crowd), there's always someone to help if you need it, lots of horsey support, always someone around to hack out with, we have yard competitions which are lovely social occasions, good facilities, it's just great! Hopefully you'll enjoy your new yard just as much. Good luck!
 
I've just moved to a new livery yard after being at the same one for 8 years. Best thing I ever did, wish I'd done it sooner.

It's a mall yard, only 12 horses and my horse is so chilled and happy which makes me happy. Loads of hacks without going on the road and 2 and a half miles of gallops.
 
CobsGalore said:
Very excited to be moving to a lovely new livery yard in the next few weeks! The problem is... I have rented a place with a friend for the last 3 years, and well, I fear I may have forgotten how to behave on a livery yard!

Apart from the obvious of being friendly, tidy and wearing a hat when you ride... What else should I do so as not to p*** anyone off!?
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Sweep up outside your stable after mucking out
If you do borrow something, put it back... I don't mind people borrowing my stuff but get ticked off when they don't put it back.
Pick up poo from your horse in the arena
Turn lights off after use
Turn hose off after use
Don't leave things lying around.
Keep to your own area.
Just employ some common sense and treat others as you would like to be treated.
 
RainbowDash said:
Not all livery yards are as bad as some make out. Why are you moving - you say you're excited? - is that because you're getting better riding/facilities? My old yard (I'm horseless at mo as he's on loan) was a lovely place and everyone was soo welcoming and excited to see a new horse arriving and put the kettle on for a new livery ready for a cuppa and welcome to the yard chat :)
Click to expand...

That's nice to hear :-) yes I'm moving for better facilities (we have none!). My horse is now 6 and I want to start doing more with him, which is impossible when you work full time and have no floodlights!

Thank you for all the advice. I know it is generally just common sense, and I never had any problems when I was on a yard before, but it's making me really nervous!!
 
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