Owning/ Running A Livery Yard

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Fanatical

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Does anybody own and/ or run a livery yard AND work full time?

I could possibly have the opportunity to have my own small livery yard but I couldn't give up my full time job and I don't know whether I'm silly to think that I'd manage the two.
 
You might manage if the yard was small enough and you just offered DIY. Realistically I think you would struggle to work full time and offer Part/full livery where you have to do the mucking out etc.

Personally I would not be happy putting my horses on full/part livery at a yard where the owner/manager was not there during the day. I dont like my horses out from 7 in the morning until after office hours which is why I pay for full/part livery service.

Good luck with the yard if you do decide to give it a go.
smile.gif
 
Could you reduce the hours of your full time job slightly? Maybe get rid of an hour one or both ends of the day?
 
Thanks for the replies so far...and the different views on it.

I have thought of a few different options...

1. Employing someone part time to do an hour or two in the afternoons - so bringing in etc (esp in the winter). I don't know if I'd struggle to get someone though for so little work.

2. I could go part time and do three days a week and employ someone to work longer hours for the three days that I am in work.

3. I could reduce my hours and finish earlier every day in order to be home to bring in - thanks HelsB for that one!
smile.gif


Hmmm, decisions, decisions..!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the replies so far...and the different views on it.

I have thought of a few different options...

1. Employing someone part time to do an hour or two in the afternoons - so bringing in etc (esp in the winter). I don't know if I'd struggle to get someone though for so little work.

2. I could go part time and do three days a week and employ someone to work longer hours for the three days that I am in work.

3. I could reduce my hours and finish earlier every day in order to be home to bring in - thanks HelsB for that one!
smile.gif


Hmmm, decisions, decisions..!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you need to get your financial head on and work out the money side of things, then also do a list of pro's and cons for you doing it all or getting a groom.

Think about holiday and sickness cover
 
Oh yes, I have been doing sums for weeks..! Also thought about holiday/ sickness cover...again would have to employ someone so it all costs.

I guess there are risks involved in any business venture...it's just trying to make sure they are calculated risks!
 
I used to be at a yard where the YO and her OH both worked full time and left two grooms in charge of 10 full liveries (some ridden) and 8 DIYs, but it didn't work so well. One of the grooms cut a lot of corners but there was no one there to talk to her (I don;t think it's the responsibility of the clients to have talk to the groom directly) and none of the DIY jobs got done as the OH was supposed to do them at the weekend and he was always too tired.
 
I run a small yard 8 stables, 6 diy and my 2. I work part time 3 days a week and finish at 6pm somedays. I can cope in the summer but in the winter I pay one of the liviers to help out.

They bring in then I go and change rugs etc after work. Every one is on a DIY agreement then I do the odd muck out, bring in etc for them.

Its hard work to drag yourself to the yard after work to do someone else horse for very little money. It cost me more this year to get someone to look after the yard whilst I went on holls then the holl (camping!!)

The good times are good but you can feel very alone when you have empty stables

Good luck
 
I work full time in London and run a yard though i do have a fantastic groom (who is my best friend) my father also helps run the day to day things like fencing etc

I couldnt do it without either of them x
 
When you are working out the financial side of things, dont forget to include your yard insurance which is a must. You will need at least PLI, but the more cover you have the better. NFU are a good place to start and their costs are competitive. Also calculate a percentage for yard/field/fence maintenance which is always ongoing.

With DiYers you could come to some sort of arrangement, i.e. you feed and turn out in the mornings FoC, they bring in at nights etc.

Best of luck and hope it works for you.
 
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