Livery Yard Help

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hannah_43

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16 August 2012
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Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with my dream of opening a Livery Yard!
I have a few questions. Firstly, what sort of qualifications would be useful? From both the business side of things and the equestrian side.
Also, what sort of financial backing would be needed? As I was hoping to start from scratch.
What sort of facilities and services would be good and attract people?
If anyone could help me, or give me any tips, they would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks x
 
I'm probably not very qualified to offer much advice as I offer DIY at my own place on a very small scale & there would be other YO's on here who offer full livery etc.

But all I will say...... after 20 yrs of doing it is:-

Basically there are highs and lows. In 20 yrs we've had a grand total of four people (and their horses) pass through the yard on DIY livery - so we've obviously done somethign right!!, plus one numputy girl who stayed for a month and then took herself & pony up the road (thank god!). So one rotten apple.

The highs are seeing people and their horses enjoying themselves and providing a lovely atmosphere for them to do that. We've enjoyed watching people & horses/ponies go from being unbacked, go to green, go to a few shows, and then the partnership begins to succeed, and that's lovely, precious.

The lows are (obviously) getting a "bad" livery who basically takes the p!ss and whilst paying for DIY thinks that the YO is their slave basically. Also awful things like having to have horses PTS and everyone's upset.

But (sorry to say this!) don't expect to make a fortune out of it!!! Can't say that we have, we've just made enough to keep our horses ticking over basically.

I can't advise on the business aspects, getting finance etc, as we own our own place and just rent out the field/stables etc (very small scale) - and there are others on here who'll be able to tell you far more.

But I think you should be prepared for the fact that (1) it won't all be plain sailing, far from it and (2) everyone loves to hate the YO!!!

But we've made some lovely friends, horsey & human over the years, and that's so precious - you can't quantify that.

If its your dream: then go for it!!! Somehow it will happen!
 
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