thinking of setting up a livery yard!

[Jenniflower'x]

Hi guys, I am looking at setting up a livery yard in central Scotland and done as much homework as humanly possible! What I would like is some thought on what people look for in a livery yard these days, I know what I would look for but everyone is different. what would you expect to pay also? I will be offering a five star bespoke full livery. This will include all of the basics of full livery and any services agreed prior to the livery commencing. This could be particular turn out times/ times to be brought in, grooming, lunging, clipping, bathing and anything in between. I have previously worked on four yards, have my SVQ2 in horse care and will be undertaking my UKCC1 and 2.
Is there anything else you can think of??

 

[Dry Rot]

Have you got the land already? That's the first thing I'd be looking at as I am always drawn to the land management threads and most issues seem to be concerned with land drainage, soil type, and the damage horses can do. In other words, what is the limiting factor in a long wet winter?

 

[Jnhuk]

On my priority list would be excellent all year round grazing with good fencing and field management along with excellent off road hacking. Knowing the weather round here, either a good size outdoor that has good well drained surface, that can be used all year round with flood lighting. Having a rather oversized horse good size stables would also be a priority. A plus would also be not too many children and no dogs running about the place! A small run yard and some facilities for humans like decent individual secure storage and toilet & where the YO is hands on rather than young girls doing the stable chores. However, there is always a compromise somewhere.

However a lot of the above is dictated by your yard and location rather than the services that you are talking about so I suspect not the sort of answer that you are looking for.

What is your land/yard like and also a lot will depend if you are bought or leasing/renting I suppose as well to what you are allowed to change.

Maybe you need to figure out what your ideal client will be with your yard/land and go from there. To set up a high end competition livery yard without any facilites already present will take some serious investment. People will look at facilities first then look at services provided

 

[Tayto]

Personally the following is what I look for;

1. No nastiness / bitching / cliques - the yard I am at is quite strict on this and anyone who tries to cause trouble is swiftly asked to leave hence we have a very pleasant and supportive network of liveries

2. As above, all year round grazing with good fencing and field management / good herd sizes, no over crowding

3. Catering for different types of horses in summer i.e the yard I am at has a fatty field that has poor grazing and is on a hill and a more lush field for horses that are ok or struggle to maintain weight.

4. Hacking & a floodlit arena - we only have an outdoor one and this works fine for me... I have good waterproofs in winter

5. Sensible rules that are adhered to by everyone, I have been at yards with "rules" but the owner picks and chooses who has to follow them and who gets to please themselves... very frustrating and caused arguments!