Livery yard tips

[Leam_Carrie]

Moving house so my horse needs to move to a livery yard. Currently she’s in a field opposite the house shut on hard standing with shelter and hay over night. I have a mini Shetland to keep her company.

So haven’t been on livery for a long time. I think we need:
- winter turnout and ideally out 24/7 in summer
- good hacking
- school
- 7 day part / full livery (looking for care not regular riding / tack cleaning)
- someone who can school or lunge (happy to find someone if not offered)
- being able to have a lesson

What do I need to ask? What should I look out for?

Any tips appreciated.

 

[stangs]

Be specific about winter turnout. Many yards will say 365 turnout, which can actually mean 10 minutes on a walker in winter.

Hacking - ask what areas they hack to/hack in, then search it up when you get home. Helps make sure that the hacking isn’t bridleways knee deep in mud.

Other things to ask about would be what they do about worming/worm counts, what time to what time owners are allowed on the yard, yard rules in general, who their regular vet/farrier/dentist/back person is, whether there are ever clinics or events on, would you be allowed a part loaner or a family member coming with you, exactly which fields/herds your two would be in if they joined…

 

[MuddyMonster]

I find asking 'how many days were the horse's in over winter?' usually more accurate than 'is the winter turn out good?'

Same with hacking. One person's idea of good hacking can very different to another's.

I'd also check if there are any limitations on using your vets, farriers and other professionals, check the school booking system as there is nothing more annoying than someone always booking the school at 6pm (& whether jumps etc are cleared away after each use) and if there are visiting hours. Having to clear off the yard by 8pm can be really limiting in the summer if you don't get there until 6pm!

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Really helpful - thanks.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Added to above - what are the choices of feed some have a limited selection and if you want anything different you have to go and buy and supply it yourself and that can add to cost. What forage do they offer and is it rationed?. I’ve been on Yard’s where they say “ad-lib” but when it boils down to it they don’t mean it and if you’re an evening rider it’s horrible putting your horse away with no forage left. I even offered to pay extra for more hay at one yard and they flatly refused to feed more whether I paid extra or not!

Prioritise a happy safe horse over extras which can be bought in.