New yard, nice yard nice area! BUT. Need advice plz

Nonyabusiness

Nonyabusiness

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 December 2012
Messages
51
Visit site
The yard I'm on currently is a nice new yard which offered full livery to DIY. So far I've been there about three months, not had any major issues other than turn out. As we're on moss lands it hard in the current weather and the farmer won't let us use the paddocks at the moment. Fair enough as we can leave the loose for a short time in out sand ménage, we also have a walker, not turnout but.... Anyway my question or questions are really as I'm fairly new to this horse ownership business is 1: should I have a contract signed stating to what to expect ECt and cost. I know my costs weekly and cost of shavings but have nothing in ink. I'm on DIY but my friend is on full with 3 horses she is in the same situation. Her horses are fed and given nets and mucked out but rearly turned out into the ménage or walker. They tend not to be mucked it till mid afternoon some days. So q2: is what should she be expecting on full livery as a guide?
The farmer has only one girl who's his partner working on the yard. Sometimes there is no one on the yard as the girl has another job during school term time, and he's often got other jobs to do. So q3 is should there b someone there all time during the day say 8-5 ish? Help to do jobs ECt.
We also don't have any yard rules other than tidy up and pick up muck out of the ménage. Yeah I'm about the only one who does this!

On our yard there are 2 on full livery 6 now on DIY the other horses all belong to the farmer.

But joust need some advice as to what we should expect on our yard, b4 we steam in with requests ECt? :)
 
Did you not discuss what was included and what you wanted before you moved on?

I haven't got a contract (rightly or wrongly) but I sat down with YO before I moved on, explained what I wanted for my mare and then she advised price.
Personally, I wouldn't do it any other way because one person's idea of part or full livery is different from anothers.

Your friend has got 3 on full livery - she must have deep pockets :)
 
Tbh I didn't discuss what I wanted as I'm on DIY so I took it as ready do it ur self, but will u put my morning nets n feed in. For me really the issues are more the fact if I had or my daughter was to have an accident while no one is around what do I do. First aid kit no where to been seen and I've never yet seen it. Now my daughter had a bad fall the other day but luckily I could use the house to clean her up. But if no one had been round I'd hac been stuck as we have no where for yard users to go other yo home.! But for my friend and I would have thought on full livery they wud get feed and nets done twice a day mucked out early on skipped out again in late afternoon say. And given use of the walker everyday. One horse is 17:2 the other two are small ponies but that's besides the point really. What I and I know she was expecting was what I've just said but she ain't getting that..... And we'll at £500+ per month for them just seems she's paying and doing jobs her self when's she's there. It's been known for her to muck out n do her nets!
 
In theory you should have a contract, but ime farmers rarely bother, or cheaper yards. Regarding what should be included for full, that very much depends on what was discussed initially & price. On yards, whether diy or full, you get what you pay for mainly, if you pay top whack you expect top service, if you pay a pittance that's reflected in the service.
Mine are on cheap farm diy. Farmer is actually a decent guy, important stuff like fencing, water etc are always maintained, & major repairs of necessaries. But stuff like ring ties, a sticking door, putting de-weeder on the yard etc, while he will do, it can be months so we do minor stuff ourselves. Horses he'll get involved if basic needs aren't met, but otherwise leaves us to it. Flipside is its dirt cheap, I know we can't make him a profit, just cover costs, so I don't expect more.
Turnout is a tricky one, normally I'd say depends on what was agreed initially, & if yo then goes back on that it isn't on. But this year has been awful, & I know plenty of yards that manage land well & for many years have had 24/7 turnout are now reduced to mainly mud & puddles or restricted turnout, so to judge that you'd have to compare to how local yards are faring compared to previous years.
 
Ok, just seen your friend pays 500 for 3 on full, that's stupidly cheap, hence why service isn't up to scratch. And if on diy but you want someone always to hand for things like falls, then find a large well managed yard, with a manager & facilities always available, but expect to pay for it.
 
Agree with littlelegs that's ridiculously cheap for 3 on full livery so even if they aren't mucking out at all but are supplying hay feed and bedding I wouldn't be complaining!

As far as a first aid kit goes why don't you have your own? I have a horsey one on the yard along with a basic human kit and then another human first aid kit in my car at all times. Even if your yard did have a kit it would be likely to be used without things being replaced so you couldn't rely on it if you needed anything. Always best to have your own.

I also don't see the need for there to be anyone on the yard all day either, provided horses are cared for properly they don't need to be watched. If you want that kind of service you're looking at far more than farm livery!

Seems like you and your friend both need to have a chat with the owner about what you get for your money, although I'd suggest treading lightly since it really does seem very cheap!
 
Alot of yards dont have contracts, not ideal but if you are happy then carry on.

Its a bit harder when you have full livery because you expect your horse to be looked after in a certain way.

No i dont think there should be someone at the yard durring the days as long as they are there morning and evening to do all jobs.

Leaving the horses not mucked out until afternoon is not aceptable.
i would not be happy with this.

So maybe your friend should get in writing exactly what she wants done and when.
 
All my liveries have contracts (no DIY mind) that way everyone knows what's included and what is expected from bot parties although most of it is common sense you will be surprised what people come out with!

Only 2 of us work on the yard and once everything is done if we need to go of and get some other things done then we do. The horses are out and safe, helps that they are reasonably sensible! If we didn't then things outside of the yard wouldn't get done, we have a home life too and need shopping etc!!

Personally i can't stand mucking out not done in the morning plus it only makes more work and longer days if you don't. And that price for 3 on full? well i won't quote my prices but i couldn't afford to run on that, it does seem very cheap!
 
NonyaFNbusiness said:
Tbh I didn't discuss what I wanted as I'm on DIY so I took it as ready do it ur self, but will u put my morning nets n feed in. For me really the issues are more the fact if I had or my daughter was to have an accident while no one is around what do I do. First aid kit no where to been seen and I've never yet seen it. Now my daughter had a bad fall the other day but luckily I could use the house to clean her up. But if no one had been round I'd hac been stuck as we have no where for yard users to go other yo home.! But for my friend and I would have thought on full livery they wud get feed and nets done twice a day mucked out early on skipped out again in late afternoon say. And given use of the walker everyday. One horse is 17:2 the other two are small ponies but that's besides the point really. What I and I know she was expecting was what I've just said but she ain't getting that..... And we'll at £500+ per month for them just seems she's paying and doing jobs her self when's she's there. It's been known for her to muck out n do her nets!
Click to expand...


livery cost are £960.... ive been reliably informed! so should she be getting more for her money!!!!
 
I am confused.... 960 for full livery for three horses? Still bloomin' cheap if so. Round here you would pay more like 1800 minimum for 3 on full livery....
 
I have a small livery yard and have a full livery who think I am tescos and available 24/7! She will give me half an hour notice that the vet etc are coming and expects me there at her beck and call. We only have two of us on the yard and one day a week I am on my own. Some times I do have other things to do, so I do leave the yard. I have had to start being firm when she expects me to do things at such short notice.
I don't think you can expect some one to be watching over your horse all day, its unrealistic.
 
That said - it doesn't sound as if much of a service is being provided. Are you suggesting that these horses aren't turned out or put on the walker? Are you particularly experienced? You and your friend probably need to think about what you require from a yard and whether this one fulfils those expectations but there are things that you need to take resposibility for. It is not the yards responsibility to administer first aid to your daughter for example....
 
BillieBlitzen said:
I am confused.... 960 for full livery for three horses? Still bloomin' cheap if so. Round here you would pay more like 1800 minimum for 3 on full livery....
Click to expand...

£960 for 3. based on 2 ponies and one 17:2hh cob like horse.

ummmm maybe it is cheap then, like i said im new to the horse ownership thing. Just wanted advice. thanks
 
960 is still dirt cheap for 3 on full. 3 horses stabled 24/7 on assisted probably cost that, & on some yards you'd pay that on diy for 3.
Charlie76- I've worked on yards where horses were watched over all day & there was someone at the owners beck & call almost 24/7. And they paid through the nose for it, which most people aren't prepared to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top