Surprisingly quiet! What am I doing wrong...re livery yard.

[Debz87]

Hello everyone, some of you may have seen my post 'confusion over livery', many thanks to those who replied to that.

I have taken advice on board and have been advertising my part, full and training livery I want to run and have had some interest but nobody has asked to look or said they are keen.

It's a beautiful quiet yard with arena, hacking and nice stabling, all year turnout etc etc, I wanted to offer part and full livery to make me a small amount of money to be able to offer my training services as and when needed but I have more enquiries about DIY livery which I can't physically offer due to the cost of the rent of the yard.

I have advertised everywhere I can think of (facebook, nfed, post office and tackshops), there doesn't seem to be much competition and my prices seem to be on parr with other yards, if anything I think better value and I have offered to include bedding, forage and feed if required or owners can supply their own.

Can anyone suggest anything else I can do as I was hoping to start the yard up from mid to end of April and at the moment it's dead!

I have the odd training livery coming in but this is not a reliable source of income so I would like to get 6 or 7 liveries in and have the remaining 3 stables for training initially.

 

[smellsofhorse]

It's a difficult one!

Have you added lots of pictures?

Maybe as its new no one wants to be the first trial livery!

You said there isn't much competition in the area, so does that mean there isn't a high demand?
Are the other yards full?

Where about are you?
Maybe we could spread the word!

 

[YasandCrystal]

How about holding an 'Open Day' - put up some posters at any equestrian establishment you can and offer visitors a tea or coffee and a tour of the yard and a chat with you. Will you be offering any clinics at your yard? I am just trying to think of some angles that could make you stand out against other yards.

You could also offer the first xx so many liveries something free for the first week or pay for 12 weeks get 13. Some yards around here offer a discount for payment by DD and a discount for paying 6 months in advance.

 

[Spring Feather]

Do you have a website? Almost all of my business comes from my website, or from adverts where I include my website address.

What does your advert read like? If it's too long winded that can put people off reading it all. Use bullet points is my advice and photos, or include web address.

Be clear on charges and state your charges in advert/website. Don't sound wishy washy in what you can do for extra or what you give discounts on. My advice is to include absolutely everything. Don't have 'extras', that confuses some people.

Horses bring horses! The more horses you have on a yard (within reason) the easier it is to gain clientelle. People do not care to bring their horses to somewhere that there aren't any/many horses. This may sound a little silly but would you be able to ship some horses in (friends perhaps) temporarily when you know you have viewers coming round? Do your photos show horses in the fields and stables? I know when I first started up my first livery yard about 25 years ago I did some moving around of my own horses just to have them there for viewers and for photos as some people don't have much imagination.

I have around 50 horses on my horse farm and I have set charges which include everything from farrier, to worming, to feed, to hay, to foaling down, to re-breeding mares etc. The only extra anyone pays here is for any vet bills or if they want transportation. Many are broodmares and I coordinate all of the breeding and foaling down, included in their fixed price. The rest are mainly owned by professionals who are unable to be there for vet appts/farrier appts etc. so as I charge for all-in it doesn't matter. My liveries like it as they pay me the same every single month. They know what their bill will be and it never changes.

Hope some of this helps and very best of luck!

 

[LittleRooketRider]

would it be worth accepting some DIYs to a) get you started therefore b) getting some good word of mouth references as this may encourage others to come .

also agree with concise advertising, horses and having an open day (with horses)...perhaps you could do a demonstration with a youngster of your training techniques???

 

[YorksG]

Would it be possible to run a small competition at the yard (maybe offer as a venue for a local RC/PC)? That might put you on the map a little.

 

[Dreckly]

I agree with lots said above. I moved to a newly opened yard last September. They organised an open day to show people around and to chat. We have 18 stables, and at that point they had already filled 3 with 2 having put deposits down. I arrived at that point and from then on it has been a steady stream of new people who have heard what we are doing through a Facebook page the owner has for the yard which posts daily what is happening, what we are all doing. She also organises training days on the flat and jumping with good instructors. As of before Christmas we are full. Look up Frenches Farm Livery in Essex on FB and get an idea - it really works as this is what people refer to most as to why they decided to come and have a look. The yard owner is very careful to make sure that the people who come will fit in, she has indeed turned people away of she feels wont be a right fit and I have to say there is no one on the yard that anyone seems to have a problem with. Some are very involved in yard life, others because of commitments are just in and out people but everyone seems to gel and get along well.

 

[Debz87]

Thanks for the replies so far

The yard was an existing livery/stud and actually has 5 diy liveries there at present which are staying and I am renting the other block of 10 stables and will be living onsite.

The girl that was in there before has set up a yard with a client of hers at a bigger facility and charges more etc so people who can't afford the extra to be at her yard will be told about my yard etc.

I have a website for my training but wanting to target part and full liveries so I have a monthly income and then accept training liveries as and when.

The issue I see with running a demo etc is I am a Western trainer so the majority of people likely to be looking for livery will be English riders and although I do ride English I pride myself on doing things with a different approach and starting babies etc so not likely to attract many English riders if I run a Western demo and if I run a Western demo who knows how many people will turn up, I have a lot of supporters but they are in different counties etc!

It's obviously really early days but just surprised that there hasn't been anyone wanting to see the yard, I have included some pics of the yard but weather hasn't been nice enough and school is currently being re-surfaced so wouldn't look as nice as it could do!

The yard is Court Farm Stud in West Meon which is based just outside of Petersfield not far from Winchester, Alton, Bishops Waltham etc etc.

I haven't advertised things that aren't in place yet such as the horse walker that's on it's way, perhaps I'm wrong but I was offering 5 day part livery (so everything but riding for £100 or £120 for 7 days)
Bedding, forage and feed could be included for that price or have suggested people contact me with their own requirements etc

 

[Kaylum]

You will be surprised how many people love western riding. Have you got an actual fb page for your yard. You still need to put that there is a horse walker due to be installed and what all year turn out? Do you have jumps available for use? Just little details can make a big difference. Also have you advertised on *******?

 

[concorde]

So did all the liveries who were there with the previous lady leave ? Or did she not run it as a livery yard ?
More thoughts .....did it have a bad reputation previously ? Maybe you need to advertise it is under new management.
Maybe it would appeal to western riders locally wanting a yard that specialises in Western.( rather than you trying to underplay your expertise in that field )

 

[PollyP99]

You will be surprised how many people love western riding. Have you got an actual fb page for your yard. You still need to put that there is a horse walker due to be installed and what all year turn out? Do you have jumps available for use? Just little details can make a big difference. Also have you advertised on *******?

^^^^^ this! I would come along to such a demo in my area, in fact I have been to a western breaking demo I'm sure you get takers

 

[Debz87]

Well I have been advertising it as a western training establishment on specific western facebook pages and have interest in the training side, most people I come across with western horses are already settled at yards or on DIY which I really can't offer.
I have a training page in which I have been advertising the livery, my website is due to be updated tonight hopefully, not moving in until about a months time so just wanted to see if I could boost interest.
There are jumps and I have put under new management where appropriate, the 6 full liveries the previous girl had have moved with her as she has an indoor arena a few miles up the road, but the cost is a lot more.

 

[PollyP99]

Well I have been advertising it as a western training establishment on specific western facebook pages and have interest in the training side, most people I come across with western horses are already settled at yards or on DIY which I really can't offer.
I have a training page in which I have been advertising the livery, my website is due to be updated tonight hopefully, not moving in until about a months time so just wanted to see if I could boost interest.
There are jumps and I have put under new management where appropriate, the 6 full liveries the previous girl had have moved with her as she has an indoor arena a few miles up the road, but the cost is a lot more.

But people like me who are interested in western but not in the know wouldn't see western specific stuff necessarily - spread your word wider

 

[Debz87]

I advertise on the general horsey pages on Facebook and have picked up a bit of interest that way, I want to start a western riding club to run at the yard on a monthly basis too, the issue I have is people are interested but don't have the money hence trying to offer better packages than competitors etc, I just like to be busy and help people and earning a decent wage is great but I do want to build it up properly and offer a better service than others as it's clear to me that some trainers are only interested in the money and I have built my reputation up bit by bit by always being there for clients etc and travelling around half the country to help people!
I don't want to fill the yard with western horses and riders as I honestly think that would be difficult, I want the place to appeal to all but understand some people do look down on western and don't understand the skill involved in the training etc and I wondered if it may put people off???

 

[pippixox]

i would do what the others have said!
also, to be honest it is unlikely you will suddenly be flooded with liveries, as most of us horsey folk stay put for a long time in one place, there will not be a lot of people hanging around waiting for a new yard. but as your reputation grows people who have been somewhere else for years may be tempted to move.
agree with open day and just make sure you keep updating your adverts so they stay near the top of the pages and don't expire

 

[Gingerwitch]

What type of turn out?
What times can you access the yard?
Can they have other trainers on the yard?
Space for horseboxes or trailers?
What does part livery include ?
What does full livery include?
What type of feed are you including ? brand specific or to a certain value ?

 

[pixie]

have you tried *******?

 

[Debz87]

Yep on ******* and a few others I found. I haven't added all in your list Gingerwitch as I feel those are things to be discussed once someone likes the sound of the advert and can afford the price.....I have drawn up a draft contract which I sent to a few people and it listed all that you have on your list and I was very specific about those details and I think more reasonable and informative than some other contracts I have seen.

 

[springtime1331]

Could you offer part livery any cheaper? I'm in Leicestershire and would pay on average £65- £75 per week for that level of service and facilities

 

[YorksG]

Do you intend to keep the training liveries serperate from the others, turned out seperately etc,as otherwise full livery people may be concerned about infection, the training liveries getting the quality at the expense of the main liveries.

 

[Kaylum]

Never known anyone look down on western riders? I am sure people would even come to you for lessons with their horse people love different things.

 

[ihatework]

Could you offer part livery any cheaper? I'm in Leicestershire and would pay on average £65- £75 per week for that level of service and facilities

£10 a day for rent of facilities, labour, insurance, bedding , hay and feed? Surely you are having a joke?

 

[Spring Feather]

Actually having a western clinic is still a good idea I think. Can you make it into a joint open day type affair too? Perhaps with food and drinks available. Yes western riders are sometimes looked down on however there are a lot of English riders interested in western riding so although it may not be their thing, it would get them at your stables and you know how people are when they're wandering around and enjoying the day. Do it on a day/evening when there are no shows in the area though.

 

[risky business]

When I was paying for full livery last year I was paying £95 a per week and that was 7 days a week. (that was 7 days turn out and bring in, bedding, feeds, hay and use of facilities).

Part livery was £75 a week that was 5 days a week and you paid for some feed but got your hay, bedding, turn out and bring in for 5 days per week and facilities free for use. Maybe prices have gone up since then though?

 

[J&C]

£10 a day for rent of facilities, labour, insurance, bedding , hay and feed? Surely you are having a joke?

I pay £65 a week for part livery and that includes hay, feed and bedding plus use of all facilities.

I agree with others that you should advertise the western side, maybe have a clinic or open day, once people have seen your yard they will be more interested and will also spread the word.

 

[Milly-Molly-Maisie]

I pay £95 a week for 5 day livery inc 2 shavings and hay not so far from you so think your prices are about right. I think it's all about word of mouth so you need to get people talking, and ensure people know it's under new management but that you have experience.

 

[Debz87]

The liveries and horses in training would be kept separate yes.
Average price is what I am charging and I have added a few extra bits to it such as grooming and facilities are free to use, I have a dressage, showjumping instructor and myself available too for lessons.
I do intend to run clinics at the yard, maybe once I have settled in there I will organise one, I am opening it up for business to start when I get back from holiday in April but I will be building a round pen and just getting organised etc for first week or two, I would like to run livery services from May but if somebody needed to come before then they could but there would be half a round pen etc.
risky business - did your full livery package include riding or exercise?

 

[smellsofhorse]

I commented earlier but wanted to add, an issue may be that you specialise in western riding.
As popular as it is, they are only a tiny fraction of the horse world in this country.
Obvioulsy if you are offering part and full livery, this may not mean exercise or can be english exercise too!

So I think you may need to make it clear that is it a mixed yard and not just for western riders/horses.

 

[Fides]

£10 a day for rent of facilities, labour, insurance, bedding , hay and feed? Surely you are having a joke?

£65 is about standard for part livery - that is what most of the yards near me charge. Full livery is about £100, £120 is the facilities are REALLY good. About £160-200 for schooling livery depending on what is needed - higher end if this includes schooling for XC etc in the price.

 

[bouncing_ball]

£65 is about standard for part livery - that is what most of the yards near me charge. Full livery is about £100, £120 is the facilities are REALLY good. About £160-200 for schooling livery depending on what is needed - higher end if this includes schooling for XC etc in the price.

I pay £45 for stable / field / storage - no services, hay / feed / bedding!! Prices vary massively.

It may be the time delay - not really wanted liveries before May that is putting off serious inquiries?

You mention having a dressage instructor available, are you going to allow liveries to use their own trainers / vets / farriers on site?