Q for those who own their own land/facilities

An "it all depends" from me!

I've done the livery thing and wouldn't want to do it again because of the hassle as others have said. Gates left open, mess, lies, stolen hay, etc. I should probably write a book!

I do agrees with those who suggest the OP gets on her bike and knocks on doors. Initiative can be surprisingly productive. But apply it wisely with a bit of tact.

Find out when it is polite to call (there will be a usual time in the country). So don't call at meal times or when people are busy. Try to start the conversation with a sentence or two of banter -- "Oh what lovely lambs you have!" or "I love your flowers" or something. "I do hope I am not disturbing you" (and meaning it) is also a good one.

Why? That gives the other side the few seconds needed to sum you up. Always be neat and tidy. Apologies for disturbing them. Ask your question. If you get a refusal, thank them for their time and apologise for disturbing them again. Finally, can they give you any useful advice? Is there anyone they can think of who might be able to help with land -- or even keeps ponies themselves and might know? Doors will open to the right personal approach.

Basically, people want to say "Yes" but too often they will be given a reason to say "No". Make sure you don't give them that reason! Last is the most important. When yu get a place, as I'm sure you will, remember you are on trial! It is even easier to take away a favour that has been abused. Nobody likes being taken for granted.

But, yes, I would at least give you a chance -- but then I am a great believer in hiring and firing. One step out of place and you'd be gone!;)
 
Yes I have had someone keep their three horses at my place and we had brilliant fun. We used to go off and do endurance/pleasure rides together as well as lots of long hacks. Very sadly she passed away but I still have one of her horses which is a nice reminder of her.
 
If there is a parish magazine maybe try writing a polite letter for publication. We get all sorts of letters in our local one from offers to tend people's gardens to requests for a cat sitter.
 
I have around 4 acres, and if I had room I would poss have a 'friends' horse. Not sure about a stranger though, but would depend on the person. However at the moment I'm looking for extra grazing/ hay field to replace the 8 acres I usually rent. There was a retired farmer up my lane who rented me the 8 acres behind his bungalow, it's worked out great for 7 years, I've looked after the fields/fencing as he was unable and I managed to get a fab hay crop off it. I've now got to find someone else who will rent land and allow horses on it. Sometimes harder than trying to rent a stable!!!
 
OP I think that this situation is a 'if you don't ask, you don't get' kind of situation- I would get friendly with the neighbours beforehand too. Ditto the bike idea? Hope you get your pony. x
 
I wouldn't personally but then it's my home and, although I have land for more than two, I only have two stables and my tack room isn't huge.

However there's no harm in asking!
 
We've had a few people come to our house and ask this which we don't really mind - we've never advertised even though we've been happy for other people to have their horses there.

For reasons that several people have mentioned it hasn't ever really gone well. I think because people have usually come from livery yards they are used to having someone there to offer them a 'service' 24/7 and forget that it is first and foremost someone else's home.

If you are quite happy to do things 'someone else's way' then it would probably work out fine :)

I'm sure these people won't mind if you politely asked them, the absolute worst they could say is no. Are there any other houses with land around you? I've heard of some non-horsey families owning land that they don't really have a use for and letting people graze their horses on it.
 
I've been surprised at the number of strangers who have knocked on my door and asked about livery and I've felt very pressured by some of them. Even when I said no some kept pushing and asking well how much would you charge if you changed your mind or I'll put my name down to get first refusal if you change your mind!! I don't mind the ones who ask via a friend or the farrier as there is some connection but I do find it very uncomfortable when people knock on the door and do a big sales pitch even though I've said no. One woman has asked about 5 times and I feel like I have to hide if I see her hacking by. So I personally don't advise knocking on doors but possibly leave a polite note through the door.
I like the flexibility of leaving my horses out when I want, feeding when it suits and having hardly any routine at all. My horses are relaxed that way but that doesn't really work with someone else here. I had a good friend's pony here briefly but it really didn't work out for either side.

Saying it is sad that so many people are reluctant to take liveries is a little unfair as it is a big undertaking to have another, sometimes unknown, horse and person in your home. There are so many things to consider the main being that as the landowner you would ultimately be taking on the care and responsibility for someone else's horse if they didn't turn up or neglected it in someway. Livery is ultimately a business relationship and most people don't want that responsibility when in their home.
 
Yes, but that is because that is my business. :)

If it wasn't, I would have to sit on the "it all depends" bench.
I certainly would not reject the idea out of hand.
 
I was sorry to read all the negative responses. In my case the answer could be a qualified 'yes'. However I would be making the arrangement with your parents, not you, as you are a minor.

I have my own land, and have always had liveries (which is what to all intents and purposes you would be) for 20 years. I can understand people who want total privacy etc etc. but in our case (I have a totally non-horsy husband) it has mainly been a huge pleasure. I choose who I have very carefully. While I have had nobody as young as you on their own, I've had instances where the teenage daughter has looked after the family horse and done it beautifully.

The things that would worry me would be:

a) the finances - I would be looking for a direct debit from your parents, not cash in hand
b) Your total lack of experience (as you seem to intimate in your post). As others have said, if this really is the case you really would be wise to get some experience first That said, it all depends on the owner of the land. If THEY are experienced, and prepared to help you out over management, you cu old be OK
c) Your other commitments - in particular education. At 15 you are surely in the thick of building up for exams etc. If your attendance becomes erratic you are of course a nightmare; and if the owners of the land on which you might get livery are non-horsy or non-caring, your horse would suffer (see the earlier comment from someone over the people who didn't turn up over Christmas!)
d) I would expect to get high character references from more than one person.

As everyone say, you can but ask. And who knows, someone may turn up trumps. But DO remember what a huge commitment horses are. You have your whole life ahead of you, and it would be a shame to get weighed down with responsibilities which you may not be able to handle.
 
A positive thread from me :)

My stables/land is a few feet away from my house round the back, very private....but I have my two best friends horses with me and they have been for over a year now :)

Not really any negatives unless you really do like your privacy. To me I enjoy the company as my OH works away a lot. Always handy to have people who can look after yours if you can't do it, which in my instance has been a godsend as I've had to have a hysterectomy!

Easiest way to get along is to not interfere, don't offer advice unless they ask, make sure you are honest, if something bugs you, say so!
 
I have my own place and have 3 friends who keep their horses with me. One is now my best friend and we do everything horsey together - and alot un horsey! One of the others came to me when she was 14yrs old. I was a little wary at the time but she too has become a great friend. We've seen her grow up, get married and have a baby. I took her horse to her wedding and nursed him when he was badly injured and she had a new born. She actually lives quite a long way from me now but chooses to keep her boy with me rather than move him to her SIL who lives half a mile from her.
So it can work. Ask, they can only say no. I'm glad I said yes.
 
At the very least, it would be a good educational experience for a 15yo to go hunting for grazing.

How many at that age would be sitting at home expecting the parents to hand them the things they want on a plate?

But conflict with exams is a very good point.
 
Personally I wouldn't as we like our privacy. But a friend of mine has had lots of liveries over the years and is quite happy with it. So we are all different and if you don't ask the question you'll never now. Incidentally I have seen livery offered by a parent in exchange for riding companion for her daughter
 
I would yes if I had the space so it wouldn't be detrimental to my own horses. I'm the opposite to most of you, I dislike being by myself now we have our own place and apart from a tiny bit of company I'd appreciate the fact someone else was around to keep an eye on things or possibly help out in case of illness etc. I'd bite someone's arm off tbh! Sadly I don't have the land for my own really and certainly no extra storage to offer.
 
I'm afraid answer would be no, we have plenty of grazing space to take on another horse but our stables are very close to our house and its our home. I like the freedom having a private yard brings, there are lots of little things (and thats if person/ horse is nice!) that would be a negative for me and slightly spoil the point of having a private yard. I would also be concerned over insurance implications, possible commercial use of private facilities if money was changing hands for providing 'livery'. One slight advantage would be a hacking buddy but I quite like going out on my own mainly, its good thinking time! and arrange rides with my neighbour sometimes anyway. However, other people may feel differently and I don't think theres any harm in politely asking. I would wonder if a letter through the mailbox would be a good course of action - no pressure on them with you stood there but asking them if they'd consider it if they would please contact you on this number so you could arrange to come and see them and once they've met you see if they would be happy having you on the yard. I'm not sure which is best tbh but I know I'd be a little put out if someone turned up at the door to my home and had a bit of small chat before asking if they could livery there! I think the answer might be 'sorry no' without giving it any thought. Good luck with finding somewhere :)
 
When we were looking for somewhere to keep our horses when I was younger my mam just went up someone's drive and knocked on the door and they said yes! It worked well for the people and us as we took 2 horses but only charged for 1 in return for mucking 1 of their horses out .
Offering to do all the poo picking or something is going to be more persuasive than offering x amount of money. Good luck
 
I've got an unused stable yard which is separate to the house and plenty of land but having agreed to rent it on a couple of occasions to "help out" I was repaid by my arena being trashed with constant lunging, equipment borrowed but not returned and my land left poached. DIY livery charges didn't begin to cover the general hassle of having someone else on my property. Generally people start with good intentions then start to take the facilities for granted. However, for a number of years I've had help from younger riders in keeping my horses in work. I've enjoyed their company and they tell me they have loved riding my horses. I have taken them to competitions, and they have had lessons on my horses. They have all become friends and i'm always sad when they to to uni etc and can't ride regularly with me and I would certainly consider letting them keep a suitable horse with me if the request was made.
 
depends.....

we always have 2 spare stables, 1 i keep for clipping and the other i have a livery/helper in.....................currently occupied by the pony of a really lovely girl who has been nothing but perfect for the nearly 3 months she has been here, we couldnt be happier :)

she doesnt pay for livery but in return her and her mum bring mine in in the afternoons, groom/wash and rug them, skip out and sweep up etc. We feed/rug/ turn her pony out, and muck him out in the mornings mon-fri, and i do poo picking for all the horses mon-fri and they do it sat and sun.

at weekends we take turns to bring them all in/turn them all out.

works fatastically as everyone can have time off/lie in/lazy day and theres always a spare pair of hands to help out if needed, cover hols or shows etc.

we all get on really well,have a giggle etc, horses are settled and they treat the yard like it was theirs, no mess, no breakages, no hassle, so for me its brilliant, and they are good friends too.

my original lady and her daughter were with us 4 years, and we never had a days worry, and i very much hope current people will be with us for ages too, as again, no hassle or worry, works perfectly as they are such genuine and lovely people.

on the other side of the coin ive had some absolute nightmares in between, the shirty young lady who barely looked after her own horse let alone keeping up with her end of the bargain doing mine, and the person who decided a perk of the job was to help herself to my shampoos, coat shines, supplements, hoof oils, etc etc whilst constantly asking(moaning) if she "really needs to do that" ref her *jobs* she agreed to do!!!!!!!! My sis and i nearly had a nervous breakdown over that pair, so it really is about finding/being a nice person to have around.

OP you sound really nice, and the sort of person i would like to have around, so if you can maybe throw in a few jobs you can (and will!) do round the yard, eg turning out or bringing in a set number of days a week, or doing their poo picking or something, i think you will find somewhere, good luck :)
 
I'm a no.

Aside from the intrusion issues, the planning consent for my stables stipulated no commercial usage. I'm also not convinced that renting out one stable is worthwhile once commercial use insurance is considered.
 
I think one concern the landowners may have is the fact that you need to have the horse/pony so close to home and there are so few alternative livery options. If for some reason the livery arrangement didn't work out, where would you move horse/pony to if asked? Would the landowner be stuck with your horse/pony for weeks/months because you could find nowhere else to move it to?

Still worth trying though, but as others said maybe a polite letter might be better than knocking on doors.
 
I wouldn't. I like having the privacy and not wondering if/when someone else will be around the yard. Sure some people wouldn't mind it though.
 
HayleyDL said:
Skimmed through and can't see this point but.. At 15. They can't sign legal papers. Parents will have to.
Click to expand...

Ditto this. Basically, sorry but no I wouldn't be happy to leave someone of 15 years old in charge of the yard, in essence, if I wasn't around.

There are all sorts of issues unfortunately: among them child protection issues being the most obvious, but also stuff like insurance/liability, accountability etc. If something WERE to happen, I as YO would no doubt be held to be "irresponsible" in the extreme for letting anyone under 18 be in what would amount to "sole charge".

Sorry OP, there would have been a time when I might have considered this, but that would have been a great many years ago, and TBH I doubt then whether we would have considered it viable. No YO in this litigating society we have nowadays, could ever consider it with someone under 18. Sad but true.
 
If one day I'm lucky enough tools to my dream house with land and a yard then no I doubt I would want to share it!
However, I have always had the arrangement you speak of since I was a teenager - a lot of people want the help and I had free livery in return for looking after their horse. Worked really well.
I've only recently (in the last couple of years) moved away from this arrangement and into livery as I bought a second horse and had a child so wanted to spend the time I had on my own horses rather than someone else's.
 
We don't because our horses are actually at our home it causes all sorts of complications regarding insurance, what rates you pay on your stables and other factors. Plus we'd loose all privacy with people coming and going all the time. It's not worth it.

We don't hesitate to bail out friends though. We have helped out a friend who got stuck between yards for two weeks, and took our neighbours pony when his companion died tragically for 5 weeks so he had company until they found another pony.
 
Regardless of persons' age, I would never do this with my land; it's mine and not up for sharing, sorry! Would just lead to problems no matter how nice the person.
 
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