Owning your own livery yard

Tiarella

Tiarella

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 October 2007
Messages
9,415
Location
warwickshire
www.myspace.com
Now, I think i am living in cloud cuckoo land but you can always dream...

Ive been offered the oppurtunity to rent 10 stables in an american barn on a small established yard already, that has a school, stables, t/o fields and a full fei xc course. I am currently jobless but do have money saved and feel this would be a great oppurtunity. Obviously I am currently in the process of thinking finances and going to bank etc but cant help dreaming about 'owning my own yard.' I am in a very horsey part of the country and feel that filling the stables which id like to be idealy full/part livery would not be a problem. If you were given an oppurtunity like this would you just bite the bullet and do it. The only problem is I am only 20, but very experienced working with international dressage horses and have had horses for many many years. I would be fully committed as horses are my life and have quite supportive parents that would help. Ive always wanted to work for myself rather than workinf for other people being their slaves on very little money for the rest of my life. But its also the worry that people wouldnt leave their horses in the hands of a 20 year old, but the majority of yard owners I know seem to know and have half the experience I do.

Someone tell me its a good idea.....
 
Last edited:
Go for it, regrets are a terrible thing....at least give it a go :D if you really have the experiance you say you have word of mouth will give u a good rep and your be fine :)
 
My advice - get a job and keep horses as hobby / recreation.

I think you need to think far beyond a ' dream' and really work through how this could work. Consider paying the bills until the yard is full and how much money you have behind you for unexpected costs.

I was going to do livery at my yard but decided to keep it private having experienced the agro of yard politics.

Also being an oldie as a customer I'd worry about someone of only 20 managing and making decisions about my horses and dealing with conflict and negotiation with other liveries.

Not painting a very positive picture I'm afraid and I hate to be negative but its not a dream its bloomin expensive and very hard work for little return.
 
A girl I used to work for rented a massive yard. She had one barn for liveries and another for clients that she was schooling/breaking in and some of her own and she was 21...
 
I have an eight stabled full/part livery yard. It pays for my own two horses, and runs the landrover and trailer. That is all. But I buy in top quality high end haylage and bedding.
 
I have just done it, its hard work on your own but I am working towards being able to have some part time help.
 
Go for it if you can afford to make a loss for a while first.
Doubtful that you will get liveries overnight and in this economic climate people aren't desperate for yards anymore as they search for cheaper options.

You'd have to offer above the norm and give something more from your livery yard and your commitment than others locally do.

Be prepared to make a loss for a while first, we run one and took it on with liveries there, it's taken a long while to break even after getting rid of problem liveries and paying immediate fees. Now every penny we earn through is plugged back into the upkeep, new facilities, staff etc. We spend hours working there for free. It is not a money maker and have spent lots of personal money and money earned through work on the place in addition to what is paid in by liveries.

Don't do it as a career choice, do it as a lifestyle. Also remember that the owners are just as important to keep happy as the horses, can you face liveries at all hours and not being able to take a day off/holiday easily?

If so, jump in and go for it, it's got to be the most demanding but rewarding business I've ever been in :) Wouldn't trade it for the world

Pan
 
smelly_horse said:
' I am in a very horsey part of the country and feel that filling the stables which id like to be idealy full/part livery would not be a problem.
Click to expand...

Don't bank on this. We are in a great location, the economy is not great right now and you truly have to offer something amazing to fill that many at any decent speed. Ask why the stables are currently empty, was it a private yard rented to one person? Or does the owner know it's not worth the hassle of hiring a YM when the business is not there and they can't easily fill the stables?

I love my job, but don't for a second think it will all come on a plate!

Pan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top