Natural horse boarding

[weebarney]

Natural horse care is an area I have only recently discovered and I'm a convert. Anyway I have set up a track system for my horses and I was wondering if there is a demand for this type of livery as I only know of 2 places in uk who have tracks and I realise that most livery yards are traditional so the average owner wouldn't get a choice. I have always wanted my own business so would love to make a natural horse boarding business work. In theory would you be interested and what sort of price would you expect to pay?

 

[Enfys]

I wouldn't pay any more than for regular grass livery to be honest, in reality you aren't getting a different service, just a different pasture layout. If I were viewing your facilities as a prospective livery then I would expect the track to be permanently fenced rather than just yellow posts and a few strands of wire (no offence) it is safer and certainly gives a better impression.


I think that rather than advertise as a 'Natural' horse boarding system which puts a lot of people off even coming to view the facilities, I would concentrate on the benefits for fatties and laminitics that the system creates.

It is a useful system and can work well if your ground is well drained, and/or you have created all weather areas, if simply created around the edge of a paddock then the entire thing can quickly become an absolute swamp in wet weather.

I like the system, I have a version myself.

 

[weebarney]

Thanks for your input. I have only recently set up with electric tape so I can establish the best route and width etc. But if i was to start charging then it would be permanently fenced. Going to see how things go through the winter with my lot so i can establish problem areas of the field. I would say price would have to be more than grass livery though as i will be having to go up scattering hay probably year round to encourage movement etc and also including a feed as well as they all get fed together.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Great idea.
It would be good to see more yards catering for laminitics, good doers and those that could benefit from restricted turnout after box rest/injury without having to risk them bouncing around in a large paddock.

I wouldn't pay extra for such a livery though as many yards offer extra facilities (XC course, solarium, indoor school etc) for a fairly standardised price like the one I'm on now.

I think gradually, changes in the management of grazing will come, in order to offer better options for horses that need less grass.

 

[WelshD]

I wouldn't pay more for a track system over normal small paddock turnout but I would pay more for the natural version looseboxes which consist of larger under cover areas or an area undercover and a small yard attached to individual shelter

 

[Enfys]

Thanks for your input. I have only recently set up with electric tape so I can establish the best route and width etc. But if i was to start charging then it would be permanently fenced. Going to see how things go through the winter with my lot so i can establish problem areas of the field. I would say price would have to be more than grass livery though as i will be having to go up scattering hay probably year round to encourage movement etc and also including a feed as well as they all get fed together.

In which case you advertise as full pasture board which is inclusive of all hay/feeding/labour/vehicle/gas costs etc. It is a step up from simply DIY on a track. I charge extra for exercising.

DIY is not common in this area, and with our weather it wouldn't be practical, people don't want to come out before and after work when there is 2' of snow on the ground and it is -15C, horrid, neither would I if I had to travel. That's what they pay me for