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lizzylulu

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Hi everyone!

I am a newcomer to th forum and horses, well sort of I have had a few lessons in my life and helpes out at a stables but then I got ill.
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Anyway I am very very very bored in my job and want to open a small livery yard I realise this is hard work, I will get someone to help me and am going to get as many qualifications as I can.

However any advice anyone has will be very very welome!
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Thanks

Lizzyx
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Hi ya - And welcome! I am pretty new to this forum business too!
With regard to opening a small livery yard, I guess there are a few things to consider:
1/ Whether you can own your own land/stables/facilities or need to rent. If you need to rent it could take quite a bit from your profit margin.
2/Are you going to do full, part or DIY livery or a mixture?
2/You will need to have experience of dealing with different types of horses and feel confident with those that are maybe more difficult.
3/You are right that the stable management qualifications will help, plus veterinary knowledge. Maybe the BHS qualifications would be the way to go? I don't know....
4/It's possible that you might need to manage accounts for your business.
5/Important to be able to get along with different types of people - In my experience they are often more challenging than the horses!!
It's great that you are planning this move though - Always nice to be your own boss working with animals that you love....
 
i would write down ALL the things you think you have to offer a prospective client...
ie qualifications/experience/horse "knowledge"/services you'd offer/type of livery you can offer/insurance etc.

but to be honest, i don't think you would get many enqiries as you are so obviously under qualified.
 
Hey and welcome to the forums.

You dont *technically* need qualifications to open a livery yard but be aware its a very competitive market and to be in with a shot of doing well, you'll need to have a lot to offer.

As someone else said, do you have your own land and stables? Renting to then livery out isn't lucrative from a business point of view. It's ok if you're a small group of friends and happy to earn a bit on the side but really a no go for a business. If not, im rather guessing this is your first hurdle as land in the UK isn't cheap - particularly of the equestrian variety.

You have to consider what type of liveries you wish to appeal to also. Full liveries? These people tend to expect rather a lot and you'll need to be both confident and competent on the ground and as a rider. Full liveries are more likely to be demanding in regards to facilities. A school will be a must and many people now look for both indoor and outdoor schools. You'll need sufficient grazing to cope with the horses most of the year round and allow for some of the land to be rested.

D.I.Y gives you possibly more flexibility in terms of your own skills as the owners do most of the work. Many D.I.Y'ers are still demanding on the facility side of things though so again, you really need to consider this carefully.

It should be noted also that many people looking for livery prefer if there is someone on site all the time. This might effect the type of property you need to be looking for.

As someone else mentioned, there is, of course, an element of accounting to be considered although you can get small business accountants in to help with this. Livery yards also come with a pretty hefty insurance bill from what I understand and you need to be considering this. I assume you'll also be employing people and again, you've got to consider this side of the business and not just the horses.

It doesnt sound like you have a great deal of experience, so you're probably best off going down the BHS qualification route. Perhaps take a position as a working pupil somewhere? Although this of course means starting at rock bottom on a low wage. Some people go the Equine Science degree route which is another option, but it shouldnt be a substitute for practical knowledge. TOCES do an Equine Science degree via distance learning I believe, which could be an option. Be aware though, neither the BHS exams nor the degrees are cheap and both will require quite an investment of time from you.

Good luck with the plans.
 
Thanks for all your welcome's and advice.

I would like to clarify that I am not opening the livery yard next week and I realise that I am under qualified at the moment and this is why I came on here for advice.

I have just put an offer in on a property with 19 acres so hopefully we will get that.

I will be employing someone with experience so I will be able to get advice from them. My boyfriend will be doing the accounts so that is a bonus
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This is not something I am rushing into, I understand it is a big responsibility which is why I am doin my homework.

Thanks for all your help
 
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