Livery yards..

TuscanBunnyGirl

TuscanBunnyGirl

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Hello!


I'm currently having a small private yard built...will have 12 stables and lovely turnout and is on my land about 2 meters from my house.
So, I hope to open it for business in the next few months. I've had a 50x40 outdoor school put in and there's also tack room/feed room/ clip/wash area.

Just wondering if you guys could give me some input as to what's important to you at a yard?

x
 
Year round turnout, a school and good hacking are the most important things for me. Have just moved to a yard with all three for the first time, and I couldn't be happier! :)
 
Right a list if rules, dos and donts.
How you want things managed, ie muck picking, yard time restrictions then stick to them.
Everyone will know where they stand and know what to expect.
This will save people moving in then out and you will have a more settled yard.

Good luck.

Where are you?
Just to be nosey!
 
Competent, trustworthy and reliable staff, unless it is 100% DIY, in which case I will settle for someone on site who will ring if horse seems ill or has gone missing. Secure turnout, minimum six hours per day winter but option of 24/7 May through October. And a working loo, with a bin that has a lid.
 
I was also going to say a loo - with loo roll! Also plenty of storage for rugs, personal belongings and stuff. Hardcore in the gateways. An all weather turnout area of some sort. Lorry/trailer parking.
 
Turnout in winter and someone living on site.
I'd love facilities for horses on box rest, ie, a fenced open area or barn. I'd also like a track for walking horses in hand when unable to go out and a track system or grass free turnout area for those on restricted diets.
Covered area for clipping and farrier.
Wash box and individual storage big enough for tack and rugs. Somewhere to hang wet rugs.
Mud free concrete yard and good lighting.
Stables roomy enough for big horses.
Message board for organising shared vet visits plus saddler/dentist etc.
Permanent secure fencing and well draining soil. Natural shelter for exposed fields.
Magnificent ménage and Mary King for weekly lessons.:)
 
For me
Nice size stables 12x12 min
Nice turnout with good gates
Good hard standing around stables
Somewhere to store large amounts of hay/haylage
A nice school with good surface
Rules, that apply to everyone
Someone I could text to turnout or bring in, fill buckets (when pipes were frozen when I got to the yard..)
Peoples personality considered when allowing new liveries
A sane YO
A notice board for all news or changes
 
zigzag said:
Turnout all year, lights in stables
Click to expand...

Do people not have lights in their stables normally? :confused:

hollybear said:
Year round turnout, a school and good hacking are the most important things for me. Have just moved to a yard with all three for the first time, and I couldn't be happier! :)
Click to expand...

Have lovely hacking round here so thats another boxed ticked :)

smellsofhorse said:
Right a list if rules, dos and donts.
How you want things managed, ie muck picking, yard time restrictions then stick to them.
Everyone will know where they stand and know what to expect.
This will save people moving in then out and you will have a more settled yard.

Good luck.

Where are you?
Just to be nosey!
Click to expand...

Very good idea re yard rules :)
I'm based in South Lincolnshire :)

babymare said:
all year turnout a must. happy atmosphere and a kettle :)
Click to expand...

Having a tea room put in hopefully where everyone can just chill out for a cuppa on the chilly days for a chat etc and somewhere warm to wait for farrier/vets etc

Arizahn said:
Competent, trustworthy and reliable staff, unless it is 100% DIY, in which case I will settle for someone on site who will ring if horse seems ill or has gone missing. Secure turnout, minimum six hours per day winter but option of 24/7 May through October. And a working loo, with a bin that has a lid.
Click to expand...

Yep horses will be checked on constantly through out the day.
haha yes yes a working bathroom is being put in :P

Landcruiser said:
I was also going to say a loo - with loo roll! Also plenty of storage for rugs, personal belongings and stuff. Hardcore in the gateways. An all weather turnout area of some sort. Lorry/trailer parking.
Click to expand...

I mayyyyy allow my liveries loo roll...if im feeling generous ;) ha
Hoping to get a rug drier and warm shower (for the horses)
That;s the only thing I'm really stuck on is lorry/trailer parking as it's literally next to my house :(

dogatemysalad said:
Turnout in winter and someone living on site.
I'd love facilities for horses on box rest, ie, a fenced open area or barn. I'd also like a track for walking horses in hand when unable to go out and a track system or grass free turnout area for those on restricted diets.
Covered area for clipping and farrier.
Wash box and individual storage big enough for tack and rugs. Somewhere to hang wet rugs.
Mud free concrete yard and good lighting.
Stables roomy enough for big horses.
Message board for organising shared vet visits plus saddler/dentist etc.
Permanent secure fencing and well draining soil. Natural shelter for exposed fields.
Magnificent ménage and Mary King for weekly lessons.:)
Click to expand...

Turnout in winter will defo be something I will be putting into place, can't stand horses being forced to stay in all winter.
Someone will always be onsite and checking the horses throughout the day and then just before 10pm
Having individual tack boxes/lockers and a rug drier.
Definitely a mud free yard!
Have massive stables :D Very very happy with them :D

I was going to go with electric fencing just so I could move it around if necessary but can put post and rail up if people want :)

Very good idea re: message board!

Inthesticks said:
For me
Nice size stables 12x12 min
Nice turnout with good gates
Good hard standing around stables
Somewhere to store large amounts of hay/haylage
A nice school with good surface
Rules, that apply to everyone
Someone I could text to turnout or bring in, fill buckets (when pipes were frozen when I got to the yard..)
Peoples personality considered when allowing new liveries
A sane YO
A notice board for all news or changes
Click to expand...

considering peoples personalities when joining the yard will be something I will definately be taking into consideration! I will not have a livery yard with bitchyness etc I want it to be a really nice yard where liveries concerns can be raised with me whenever, they feel comfortable leaving their horses at my yard, they want to come down to see their horses. I want to have a really nice atmosphere where the horses are priority. I understand there will be hiccups but that's my goal.

Thank you all so so much! You have been a really great help! :D
 
All of the above but most of all, the right people, which is probably the hardest to achieve. The nicest yard with the best facilities can be ruined if you don't have clients who mix well. My YO "interviews" her potential clients before agreeing to have them on the yard to make sure they'll fit in and also to reassure herself that they know what they are doing with their horses. She often says no to folks she doesn't think are right for the yard and, as such, we all get on great with no upsets or bitchiness (24 liveries). And she has been known to ask people to leave if they start to cause issues Best of luck, sounds great.
 
A track system would be nice for the winter turnout and a fatties area for laminitics/ grass sensitive horses. Using the school as turnout not ideal. Oh and a loo would be lovely I have to wee in a bucket in my stable! Last thing lots of nice areas to tie up, where haynets can hang too and be swept up easily. Would a poo hoover be pushing my luck?? If I ever build stables I would love to do the continental style of trap door out to a conveyer belt for the dung at rear of the stables. Would be awesome not having to wheel barrows!
 
Greylegs said:
All of the above but most of all, the right people, which is probably the hardest to achieve. The nicest yard with the best facilities can be ruined if you don't have clients who mix well. My YO "interviews" her potential clients before agreeing to have them on the yard to make sure they'll fit in and also to reassure herself that they know what they are doing with their horses. She often says no to folks she doesn't think are right for the yard and, as such, we all get on great with no upsets or bitchiness (24 liveries). And she has been known to ask people to leave if they start to cause issues Best of luck, sounds great.
Click to expand...

sounds like a really ace idea :D Thanks!

pistolpete said:
A track system would be nice for the winter turnout and a fatties area for laminitics/ grass sensitive horses. Using the school as turnout not ideal. Oh and a loo would be lovely I have to wee in a bucket in my stable! Last thing lots of nice areas to tie up, where haynets can hang too and be swept up easily. Would a poo hoover be pushing my luck?? If I ever build stables I would love to do the continental style of trap door out to a conveyer belt for the dung at rear of the stables. Would be awesome not having to wheel barrows!
Click to expand...
Oh will definitely look into creating a track system and will be creating a starvation paddock area.
Wee in a bucket?! thats no good :P having a bathroom put in.
The yard is smooth concrete with places to tie up on etc
haha i would love a poo hoover! think it'll be a while till i can invest though ;)

Tern said:
Rules like weave grill to be put up if horse weaves etc
Milllkkkk
Any type of bedding available for use would be nice
Click to expand...

Why this rule in particular?
Milk?!

yep bedding is fine, the only thing i don't like is deep bedding. Wood chip bedding and hay/straw is also avaliable to buy on site
 
I'm moving yards in a couple of weeks after being at my current one for 8 years & can't wait. We looked around it last week & it was lovely, hardly any mud, hot wash area, gallops, huge arena and only 12 stables but most importantly the YO said the horse comes first.
 
haha at the milk! all the livery's at my yard that actually drink tea and coffee take turns to buy milk/tea bags etc. at our yard :) But maybe a small fridge could be a nice idea so that liverys can bring down their own drinks.

I find extra help important at a yard (being on DIY) nice knowing there's the option of someone chucking in morning feed, and turning out/bringing in. Are you going to offer all types of livery or just DIY?

A solarium/drying lamp would be a lovely benefit..have seen the cheaper ones going for £400 and heard of people mounting patio heaters instead, which cost them just over £100.

Also jumps would be important for me :)
 
"considering peoples personalities when joining the yard will be something I will definately be taking into consideration! I will not have a livery yard with bitchyness etc I want it to be a really nice yard where liveries concerns can be raised with me whenever, they feel comfortable leaving their horses at my yard, they want to come down to see their horses. I want to have a really nice atmosphere where the horses are priority. I understand there will be hiccups but that's my goal."

Having been on a handful of yards over the years can honestly say that the bitchyness, or lack of, usually stems from whoever runs the yard. Am guessing that 'like attracts like' :-)
I'm on a true DIY yard at the moment and people only tend to leave if they move out of the area or they give up horses. Some of the liveries have been there over 10 years and apart form the occasional hiccup, everyone gets on well.
Good luck with the yard and hope you get some lovely liveries.
 
Lotty said:
I'm moving yards in a couple of weeks after being at my current one for 8 years & can't wait. We looked around it last week & it was lovely, hardly any mud, hot wash area, gallops, huge arena and only 12 stables but most importantly the YO said the horse comes first.
Click to expand...

Sounds really lovely :D Would love to have gallops. Hope you really love it! :D

halcyyon said:
haha at the milk! all the livery's at my yard that actually drink tea and coffee take turns to buy milk/tea bags etc. at our yard :) But maybe a small fridge could be a nice idea so that liverys can bring down their own drinks.

I find extra help important at a yard (being on DIY) nice knowing there's the option of someone chucking in morning feed, and turning out/bringing in. Are you going to offer all types of livery or just DIY?

A solarium/drying lamp would be a lovely benefit..have seen the cheaper ones going for £400 and heard of people mounting patio heaters instead, which cost them just over £100.

Also jumps would be important for me :)
Click to expand...

Ah i see :) yes a fridge could easily be put in :)

I'll be offering all types of livery, literally to whatever suits so they can build their own package if that makes sense.
A solarium will hopefully be put in in the future and we're also looking into buying a massage back pad that liveries can hire for a small fee.
Ah yes have jumps sorted :)

SassieSoz said:
"considering peoples personalities when joining the yard will be something I will definately be taking into consideration! I will not have a livery yard with bitchyness etc I want it to be a really nice yard where liveries concerns can be raised with me whenever, they feel comfortable leaving their horses at my yard, they want to come down to see their horses. I want to have a really nice atmosphere where the horses are priority. I understand there will be hiccups but that's my goal."

Having been on a handful of yards over the years can honestly say that the bitchyness, or lack of, usually stems from whoever runs the yard. Am guessing that 'like attracts like' :-)
I'm on a true DIY yard at the moment and people only tend to leave if they move out of the area or they give up horses. Some of the liveries have been there over 10 years and apart form the occasional hiccup, everyone gets on well.
Good luck with the yard and hope you get some lovely liveries.
Click to expand...

thanks very much!
 
Facilities are nice . . . but the real reason people stay on yards is how accommodating/professional/kind, etc. YO is . . . and how nice fellow liveries (and their horses) are.

If you can provide those things, you'll do great.

In the nice-to-have category:

Post and rail fencing
Water troughs in field
Decent, well-drained grazing
Ditto school
Hard standing for farrier/clipping/washing
A sick/convalescence paddock
Lorry/trailer parking
A dry/covered area for storing hay/straw/haylege/bedding
Set of show jumps
Off road hacking
Muck heap/trailer regularly emptied
Security
People on-site in case there's a problem

And in the "all my Christmases at once" category:

Walker
Solarium
Toilet
Tea-making facilities (including fridge)
On-site washing machine/dryer
Indoor school with wonderful surface and mirrors
Dressage boards and letters
Field shelters in every field

:).

P
 
Last edited:
Good luck TBG.
Bit far from me, and I love my yard, but it sounds like you're going into this with a great attitude.
I hope you get some fab liveries :)
 
As an owner of a private yard with just a couple of friends horses along with mine, the main thing for me has to be be honest with how you feel;

My house is only a few metres from the yard, and I won't have them coming at anytime. ie; not before 7.30am at the weekends and not after 9pm ( unless they are out for the day/hunting etc )

If something is bothering you, nip it in the bud as things fester!

Make sure you make it clear about pricing, don't go down the slippery slope ( as I have done in the past ) of doing "favours" in return for another "favour" ! somehow they just don't go your way!

If all works out well, you will have a great time :)

Best of luck, sounds like a lovely yard.
 
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