running a diy yard is harder than running the country

[Venevidivici]

We don't do DIY-only full or a very full 'part',which is full minus the mucking out only-much simpler,for everyone If I had a pound for every DIY livery enquiry I'd buy a new rug! But am glad I held out-I always have a waitlist for part&full. My only comment in addition to the great advice already given is always,always trust your gut instinct about someone & always get plenty of info about the horse(that lovely natured,easy to handle little sweetheart sooo often isn't!).

 

[Enfys]

I always felt I wanted a t-shirt to wear every year saying: 'It's February. It's muddy. Deal with it.'

Oh great idea for a barn calender, to be prominently displayed...what for the other 11 months though?

Not that my lot moan about the mud (snow/rain/ice/frozen ruts/rock hard ground/dustbowl) any more than I do

 

[Luci07]

Of course we can grumble about the mud, rain, snow.....ALL our yard does and particularly the poor staff wot get stuck in! Swapping horror stories over how wet and dirty you are just makes you look forward to the spring even more..

 

[sprite1978]

We all have our own idea of what is right and wrong when it comes to the care of a horse, and the biggest problems can come when the YO becomes overly intersted in the minute detail of other peoples horses - and interfering. Im just refering to the comment about how often the farrier is out, how much they are fed etc As long as it is not a true welfare issue, try not to interfere.

As long as the liveries are tidy, polite, and pay the bills, try to stay out of the politics. Know which fights are worth having.

As a disclaimer my horses are in 5* luxury!

Also, put the yard rules on a notice board and make no exceptions - not even for your favourites .

 

[noodle_]

key (imo) is nice liveries!


Im a part livery meaning my YO feeds and puts my horse out in a morning and would change rugs if needed

however i know they are busy people so refuse to let them change my horses rugs - she lives in her outdoors... (i dont even ask her neck to be pulled back as its not necessary)

I pay my rent (almost)! on time - it lives in my car around payment time and i forget, not avoid them!... im useless at remembering... so pay a month in advance

Im not a bad livery (i don tthink?).... i do help bring their (and other livery's) horses in when its miserable outside/spesh in those winds !!

we arnt all bad

 

[Rosie1208]

If you remember this little saying

"For every unhappy yard owner there are ten unhappy liveries" then you should get along fine.


No, but seriously my advice (as a livery and not as a yard owner) would be to

A) not get involved in yard politics, i.e who said what to whom.
B) listen to liveries that have a problem with the way the yard is run or a problem with a particular area of the yard (when I say area I mean item) and not be dismissive of their worries. Nothing is worse to me personally than to take about a week to bring myself to broach a 'difficult' subject with a y.o, drink enough booze to sink a battle ship to give me dutch courage (only joking) and then be 'dismissed' as if my comment was a mere irritation or not worthy of further consideration. It is annoying, and personally hurts like hell.
C) spend time getting to know your liveries and to ask them how they are, how they have got on at events, etc, just taking an interest in them. -My current Y.O always amazes me with this one, I don't think she has ever forgotten to ask me how I've got on at an event, or the doctors, hospital, new job, etc, etc. I only wish I was so good at remembering to ask people things. It always makes me feel like I am a valid contribution to the yard and that I am actually seen as a person rather than just a number or a £ sign.
D) don't go looking for trouble. I note from your post you ask about trouble makers. Try not to alienate yourself from the liveries. If you do get a 'trouble maker' (and I hate that word as what a Y.O may see as a trouble maker, may actually be a livery worried or upset about what the perceive as an injustice done to them) then try to have a quiet word with them. Instead of flying at them with threats of 'being thrown off' ask them calmly what they see is the problem and see how you can remedy the situation to a mutual resolution.
E) Encourage your liveries to take part in events, i.e. shows, etc. I create a newsletter every month for our yard (45+ liveries) and we also have shows, fun days, and clinics at our yard, and most people take an active interest. It creates good feeling on the yard, and people are rewarded with fun for their hard work and acheivements are noted (I am totally fab in the egg and spoon race by the way) LOL

AND FINALLY WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE ULTIMATE SUGGESTION:

F) look for good in EVERY ONE of your liveries. Remember to thank them and never ever forget to be polite to them. They are your clients, your bread and butter and NOT some minor irritation to be swept aside.


I think if you handle things in the way I've described you will do very well as a yard owner.

And I must point out (as a disclaimer) LOL, that if the above ever gets back to my Y.O the things I have mentioned are not all to do with the current yard I am at now!!

Good luck xx

Applecart you speak words of wisdom! As a DIY livery - not a YO - I have had some good and bad experiences. Most recently I moved yards, I left on, what I thought, were good terms after several years of paying my bill on time, keeping to the rules, not asking for anything, supporting yard events, however the YO accused me of rubbishing the yard - I didn't! - and has since made other comments to people - all of which are untrue and unfounded. YO's please read Applecart's tips, and if I can add: 1. make yourself approachable don't just pay it lip service!! And 2. try and keep your good customers, we're a rare breed!

 

[Wagtail]

your thread title made me laugh unfortunately its completely true.

Anyone who enters into running a yard thinking its going to be easy money is in for a big shock. Horsey folk as a general rule are not the easiest bunch to deal with,

I've seen it all in the last few years, its been a massive learning curve and i'll admit it took me a while to get it under control.

In my experience you need to choose you liverys as much as they need to choose your yard. You have to see them/deal with them everyday so you have to get along with them and they need to understand and agree with your methods/rules etc which brings me to my last point..........

Dont lie, or exaggerate on anything when they come to view. i.e. if all year turnout isnt available dont tell them it is. If your fields get muddy in winter etc (whos dont?!) tell them! Best to get it all out in the open from the offset and manage their expectations!

QUOTE]

Yes! Agree with all this. Its SO important to give consideration to not only your'e liveries but also their horses as well. Which is why you need to ask them and talk through what they expect from the yard etc etc.

I have learned to be very choosy. I would rather have a stable free a whole year than get a person in I didn't get on with or a less than friendly horse. I have turned people down after questioning them about their horse. I don't have any biters or kickers.