Pros and cons of starting a livery

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lizzy321

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Hi this is my first post on here so hope it works. I have just been given a yard,5 stables with 15 acres to do as I please with. Basically what are the ps and cs of starting a small livery. Any experiences appreciated on this please.
 
I opened a livery yard 6 weeks ago and it is working really well. We are full. some parts some fulls and some DIY's. All the horses have settled in really well and the owners are all normal and get on. I vetted everyone before the came, asking really pertinant questions over the phone and putting off people I didn't really think would gell before they came and saw the yard.

mares and Geldings are completely seperated with 2 fields between them to save any problems. All horses are worm counted before they are allowed out to ensure my paddocks are kept as worm free as possible.

Contracts and the rules are given to everyone as soon as they arrive so everyone knows where they stand. I know it's early days still but makeing sure everyone is clear should make for less gripes
 
Whatever you do dont disregard the need for insurance and the regulations and requirements of your local council. Planning may be an issue here too so its worth sitting down for a morning and picking brains at the local council office and with someone like the NFU so you are totally au fait with whats legally required.

Remember you will need to make provisions for the removal of muck heaps, there may be restrictions on wher you can and cannot place things like jumps (yes really!) and that there are owners out there who will willingly sue you should something untoward happen.
 
Hello all and congratulations on a fine forum.

I am moving house from a city to the country. My new place has a paddock attached about 150 metres long by 60 metres wide, just over an acre I'm told. The paddock has absolutely no use to me, it has good drainage and gated access from a tarmac lane. I would like to rent the paddock out, maybe build a stable. Water and electricity supply would not be a problem. My Solicitor advised me that planning permission for stables would not present an issue. Can anyone advise on the following?

Is the field big enough for one, two or more horses?

What would be the minimum I would have to supply for DIY livery?

What sort of return could I expect?

Many thanks.

Tony.
 
lizzy - i wish i had more time to reply to this post!!! hopefully i will be able to say more tomorrow but for now - all i can say is be selective!!! some liveries are really not worth having on - find out why they are looking to move and where they are moving from? most genuine people are happy to tell you. beward of people who need to move very quickly - have they been asked to leave somewhere? or are they doing a 'runner' owing money? if your lucky you will know the horsey scene in your area well and should be able to know people who can give you the low down of who to avoid!
most of all - try and enjoy it
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its sounds a really nice place and i know you can make it work
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