Owning a Livery?

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Skymone

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29 December 2008
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Hi.
Me and my best friend Sam have always wanted to own a Livery yard, we're 18 and 16 and are most likely going to work at some eventing yards for a year or so to get experience and possibly horse university.
After all of that though we know for sure we want to own a Livery yard and we need some advice on what the best way of getting one is? We're very hard working girls and horses are our life. We don't have much money - neither do our families.
We're happy to rent but we just were wondering if anyone could help us with how to start off and things like that.
Thanks
Kate and Sam
 
It is extremely difficult making a living out of a livery yard, specially when you are renting it. There are a lot of hidden costs, insurance, maintenance, removal of muck heap etc etc. Many people have your dream, some achieve it..... many achieve if for about 12 months & then have to accept that they are losing money, are extremely tired & worn out & have to give up. This happened to a friend of mine, by the time the rent etc was paid she worked tremendously long hours for little reward. Good Luck with your dream.
 
As above it is VERY hard to make any money if you are renting. I was extremely fortunate at 21 that my fmaily built a yard for me (live on a farm) and 12 months on I'm a YO with a full yard, waiting list and I love it!

Renting means that any investment you make on the property you won't get back and you normally pay £25-£30 per stable. Now if you're charging £75 for part livery, say, add forage and bedding, electricity, water, etc, etc...........there's not much left. You can't really do DIY as you'll be losing money.

My advice would get experience at yards, like you've said, and while you're doing this do an exteremly detailed business plan and lots of research!

Good Luck
smile.gif
 
Hi Skymone,
Having owned a livery yard for a few years now the best advice I can give you is don't go anywhere near it.
By all means if you fancy working 15hrs a day 7 days a week for about £10k a year then go for it, otherwise keep well clear.
And don't even get me started on the liveries themselves.
Better stop now as wouldn't like to been seen to rant.
 
Hi,
I understand your dreams Kate & Sam but i am afraid they are just that, dreams. I know that sounds harsh but i rent my livery yard, and even with it full up, it only just ticks over, there isnt money in it for a wage if you have to rent the place.
It can get disheartening to put up with 'trouble on the yard' when you are not getting any £££ out of it - my reasons for doing it - my horses get winter turnout - as simple as that! local yards near me dont offer that, so anything i have to put up with, i just remember that otherwise - they would be stuck in.
I mean this is all honesty, get lots of work experience on yards and maybe aim to be an equestrian centres manager, college yard manager, or marry into a farming family
wink.gif

i dont know what part of the country you are in but if you seriously want to go down the livery yard route, if you are local to me i am happy to show you around my yard, explain things further etc.
 
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