Livery yards- offer me hope!

[LoxandKey]

Hi there!

So I’m coming back into horses after a long break (I promise this isn't a ‘in my day…’ kind of post, lol!) and unfortunately as I don’t have my own land unless I win the lotto, livery yards are my only choice as it was a long time ago.

But I’ve seen so many threads about awful livery yards and turn out it’s starting to make me very worried!

Are there still good ones? Are people happy/content on livery yards?

I’m not looking to be in the in-crowd on yards, just mind my own business and have a space to enjoy my horse without worry or strife.

I guess I’m just hoping for some boosting that it is possible…!

 

[MuddyMonster]

In about 17 years of owning horses, I've only been on two yards I wouldn't want to go back to! And to be fair, one I would if really stuck. So that's really 1 bad yard.

You are more than likely going to be fine.

Work out what matters to you in a yard to give yourself the nest chance & then treat it a bit like a job - say hello & be polite to all but you are there for your horse first and foremost always helps to avoid staying out of drama, I find.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

As long as you can find a non loopy yard owner, you'll be fine I always think.

I've moved around a bit over the years and only 2 yards I'd not return to due to poor management & the yard witches driving me mad!

Just make sure you have a list of must haves and nice to haves and stick to it. You'll be fine I'm sure - no yard is perfect and some things have to give.

 

[Jambarissa]

I grew up with my own place then had to move to livery and couldn't believe how terrible it was. My poor horse was moved several times in a year until I decided I had to stay put for a while and make the best of it.

I'm still on that yard more than 20 years later, it's not perfect but my horses are very happy and I feel comfortable going and doing my own thing.

Find one that suits your horse needs then stay well out of yard politics.

 

[Cloball]

I was new to horse ownership and my yo and liveries have literally kept me sane for the last 2 years of a mixture of pony and personal ups and downs! Very small yard with kinds laid back liveries helps.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I'm at a nice yard, but every yard I've been at (not that many) there's always been one or two people who are cranky/unpleasant/weird. I'm trying to avoid the current weirdo as she absolutely hates me for some reason. But I'm not going to move yards as otherwise the people are lovely.

 

[Needtoretire]

Look for somewhere small, perhaps a private yard who is looking for a bit of company and shared work load. The big commercial yards are a nightmare in general, unless they are really well run and no nonsense accepted.

 

[LoxandKey]

Thank you for these replies! This is definitely giving me hope of finding a good one

 

[MuddyMonster]

Look for somewhere small, perhaps a private yard who is looking for a bit of company and shared work load. The big commercial yards are a nightmare in general, unless they are really well run and no nonsense accepted.

See, I find the opposite, personally.

A small yard would never be my first choice, I'd much rather be one of many on a large yard than only one of a few on a small yard. I'm pretty independant though.

Which shows how personal a good or bad yard can be!

 

[Merry neddy man]

When the time comes these may help you.( sorry about the spacing but it's the only way they don't get blocked even though I have no connections with either site) w w w . l i v e r y l i s t . c o . u k and w w w . l i v e r y y a r d s . c o m

 

[Bobthecob15]

Ugh yet to find one that provides the basics despite us being on full livery…a decent bed (more than 3 inches of bed), daily turnout and safe fencing, and hay when we want it. I’ve been on 3 yards in 3 years and none have been able to provide the above despite paying a lot of money. There just is nothing within 30 mins of me that is able to provide it. I’d do part livery and do more of it myself but nowhere offers part…can’t do DIY do to work hours.

I think it depends where you live and luck in all honesty!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

In the last 21 years of horse ownership my horses have been on I've been on 4 yards. First one was good but owner went through a divorce and the yard was sold. Next yard was good, I was only there for a couple of years. The owner was not horsey at all & decided she wanted to rent the yard to one owner. She found someone to rent the entire yard so we moved on. Then went to a private house, we took 2 horses there & there were 3 others. We were there for around 5 years, lovely yard but the wife sometimes was really strange so eventually we moved. The final yard we have been on for 8 years and we are happy there. We get on with the owner and understand each other & help each other out when we need to. It's all done smoothly. My horses are now senior citizens, they still hack out & do some jumping every so often & enjoy life. I think we will be at this yard until their lives end..... but hopefully not for a good while yet.

 

[pistolpete]

I’m not the best person to ask. Been on some really dodgy yards. Currently on grass livery which is hard to get wrong but still annoys me. Maybe I’m impossible to please . My happiest time was when I had my sole use rented field. I was my own boss.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I absolutely LOVE my yard. I'm on a big commercial yard. We have such a lovely group of liveries, YO family are fair, turnout is good.
It's literally my social life. There's the occasional bad apple, but YM doesn't suffer fools & if you're a dick, you will be asked to leave.
Don't lose hope, there are great yards!

 

[fidleyspromise]

It will be worth putting a post with recommendations for livery within x area.

Over 17 years I've been on 8 yards.
I've been on small yards with 3 liveries total. I loved that yard.
Competition yard with 20 ish owners. It was a lovely yard. There was tension and one girl stirring was told to leave and the atmosphere became much better. Could get in the arena easily, fields were further away so a few minutes wall but a nice livery owner.

I've been on various in between. My current yard is my favourite. I'd love an arena but I have a field, field shelter, my own tackroom and fab hacking so I'd prefer to keep that and hire an arena.

2 yards I wouldn't go back to and the reasons are:
1. Too expensive and horse was stressed.
2. Horse was stressed.

I would make a list of your essentials and desirables and see what there is in your area.
Some areas seem to struggle with turnout in winter especially on clay. I have 24 turnout on sandy soil and had barely any mud last year/this year.

 

[Ratface]

Old Horse and I have been on two yards in the last thirteen years. First one was a gossip pit. I was on full livery and, initially, the care and management was good. However, as the manager's use of intoxicants and verbal violence increased, my confidence in the good-enough care of my horse slipped. I got in touch with my horse's breeder (she's local) to find out if there were any places that she would recommend and she said that we could join her yard.
She can be "difficult", depending on how her disabilities are affecting her, and the staff are a closed shop to me. Polite and distant.Talk to each other and ignore me. However, the care, knowledge, security are all excellent- even when Old Horse is being very awkward ("Can't Catch me!"/"I've trashed all the new electric fencing and escaped into the fifty-acre field"/Both the above), so it's worth it.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Through my experience of multiple shares and riding schools, I think I've learned on reflection that you can get the vibe of a place almost immediately. A 'green flag' for me on a yard is how you are greeted.

Last share, I should have turned around and walked off the yard when I saw the young apprentice being screamed at by YO over something so insignificant I can't remember what it was now. TBF the livery clients there were actually very nice! Before long it was me being screamed at because I didn't yet know the drill for saddle pad laundry.

Previous share, yard was really very lovely. A nice mix of people doing different things with different kinds of horses. Some more chatty than others but certainly no drama and always someone willing to help. The first impression of owner introducing other liveries and everyone being willing to at least say hello was very accurate of the friendly vibe of that yard.

I went to view a horse for share at a big DIY yard. The owner was late and multiple people walked past me obviously looking lost, not a single one acknowledged me even slightly. Then when owner turned up no one seemed to say hello to her either. I don't need to chit chat with everyone but it gave a bit of an unfriendly/tense vibe. A previous RS I even volunteered at many of the staff would just ignore you. Some won't mind this but I've learned that it does matter to me, it can make a huge difference to my enjoyment and confidence around horses. Also if I'm pitching in with the work I don't want to be treated as invisible!

In contrast, at the two RS I use now both I was warmly greeted. One by livery clients who made sure I knew where to go. I use one much RS more than the other so know that the initial impression was accurate. It's mainly livery clients I see there but they have always been friendly and welcoming to me as an RS client.

Another yard I went to view for a share and while the horse wasn't quite right I do know they pride themselves on a welcoming and inclusive yard, again with a variety of horses/owners. Accuracy not tested on that one. They never seem to be advertising for spaces though so I assume people generally want to stay there.

For the most part I think the horse care and management has been okay. Only one that I know of the horses weren't turned out for at least 6 months, and that would not be my choice. One RS I wouldn't use as they have college students I didn't feel were supervised closely enough. One looked a bit run down but was clean and tidy, decent enough outdoor school and dreamy hacking. Current RS has excellent turnout and as far as I can tell, high standards of care.

Tl;Dr - yes nice livery yards are out there, first impressions are often accurate!

 

[LoxandKey]

Definitely will ask for recommendations here for yards when we’re settled (currently in process of deciding where to move, part of the prompt to get me back into horses), thank you!

Good idea on the list of questions- turn out is a big one for me, so that will for sure be on the list.

 

[Alibear]

I've had horses on livery for 30+ years and only once moved yard for reasons other than my life and circumstances changing. So I'd say most yards are good ones.