asommerville
Well-Known Member
As above 
to the YOs out there - what makes a person a 'perfect' livery?
- Thread starter asommerville
- Start date
measles
Well-Known Member
Someone articulate, pleasant enough to face at 7am over the water tap, good standard of horse care, able to keep their areas tidy, able to drive into car park slowly and park sensibly, good at closing gates and doors behind them, and last but not least that supply cakes to the yard on a regular basis 
CrazyMare
Well-Known Member
Someone articulate, pleasant enough to face at 7am over the water tap, good standard of horse care, able to keep their areas tidy, able to drive into car park slowly and park sensibly, good at closing gates and doors behind them, and last but not least that supply cakes to the yard on a regular basis
And pays the bill, on time!
nikicb
Well-Known Member
I am not a YO (other than my own yard at home), but if I was I would want someone who when they left each day, it was like they'd never been. i.e. sweep up after them, everything back in it's proper place, doors/gates shut etc. That's how I've always treid to be when I was on someone else's yard.
EventingMum
Well-Known Member
Someone who is polite, cheerful, pays promptly and respects the fact that the yard is also my home!
We dont do DIY so I dont worry about the standard of care however I am happy to discuss the care of their horses with them at an appropriate time, just not late in the evening when I have finally sat down with my family. Also I like liveries to appreciate that I have their horses best interests at heart I refuse to feed the horse that hasnt been ridden for over 6 months and is not allowed more than 30 mins turnout once in a blue moon a scoop and a half of competition mix twice a day even if it is a show jumper
I do like liveries to put their tack and grooming kits away when they have finished with them and shut the tack room door, it has a keypad lock for during the day for security but its not much good if the door is wide open. I also expect them not to gallop round the fields when the ground is soft and adhere to safety rules ie wear hats etc.
I am also happy to unlock and feed early in the morning if they are going away early to an show/event however I do prefer to be given warning not a text at 10.30pm to say they are leaving at 5.30am the next morning so could their horse be fed a hour before! Equally Im happy to make sure horses are in for the farrier or vet but as my psychic powers arent great I appreciate being told so I dont have to apologise when the horse is still in the field when said vet or farrier turns up.
Good lines of communication are essential for a harmonious relationship between YO and liveries but it takes effort from both parties.
We dont do DIY so I dont worry about the standard of care however I am happy to discuss the care of their horses with them at an appropriate time, just not late in the evening when I have finally sat down with my family. Also I like liveries to appreciate that I have their horses best interests at heart I refuse to feed the horse that hasnt been ridden for over 6 months and is not allowed more than 30 mins turnout once in a blue moon a scoop and a half of competition mix twice a day even if it is a show jumper
I do like liveries to put their tack and grooming kits away when they have finished with them and shut the tack room door, it has a keypad lock for during the day for security but its not much good if the door is wide open. I also expect them not to gallop round the fields when the ground is soft and adhere to safety rules ie wear hats etc.
I am also happy to unlock and feed early in the morning if they are going away early to an show/event however I do prefer to be given warning not a text at 10.30pm to say they are leaving at 5.30am the next morning so could their horse be fed a hour before! Equally Im happy to make sure horses are in for the farrier or vet but as my psychic powers arent great I appreciate being told so I dont have to apologise when the horse is still in the field when said vet or farrier turns up.
Good lines of communication are essential for a harmonious relationship between YO and liveries but it takes effort from both parties.
AlDestoor
Well-Known Member
Dont own a Livery Yard, but if i was i would want someone pleasant and considerate, Pays the bill ontime, Tidy and sensible when it comes to horsecare.
I also think about the Yard Owner when i look at yard for me and my horse. I look for a happy atmosphere, been on a few yards where the owner has made me feel uncomfortable, Someone who leaves you to it and trusts you.
Its taken me 4 yards to find the one im currently at. The YO there is fantastic, I only see him when i pay my bill once a week, he checks the yard whilst everyone is at work and if he has any problems with anyone, he talks to you discreetly which is fab. Love it to bits!
I also think about the Yard Owner when i look at yard for me and my horse. I look for a happy atmosphere, been on a few yards where the owner has made me feel uncomfortable, Someone who leaves you to it and trusts you.
Its taken me 4 yards to find the one im currently at. The YO there is fantastic, I only see him when i pay my bill once a week, he checks the yard whilst everyone is at work and if he has any problems with anyone, he talks to you discreetly which is fab. Love it to bits!
Laithwaite
Member
The perfect livery is someone who has owned their own yard or worked on one and appreciates all that goes on behind the scenes to make it all seem to run smoothly! They are always the most thankful for the little extras that you end up doing for people and don't take anything for granted.
PandorasJar
Well-Known Member
Someone who is grateful and not expectant of extras. (Even though we do a lot of extras and wouldn't stop because of an owner, it's just polite!)
Someone who uses their brain and puts common sense above panicking. Mollycoddling a horse too much (over fed, over rugged) can be just as bad or worse than not!
Someone who gets on with our other liveries. We have a very happy yard and wouldn't hesitate to get rid of someone who (without good cause) caused upset. They would get a polite word and given benefit of the doubt, but would not be tolerated long term.
The horse itself can be catered for with the group of horses it fitted with, or individually, so people with problem horses would still be welcome. However not ones that were allowed to be dangerous and put people at risk. There's a difference between over excited in the field and being dangerous when around other liveries outside of the field.
We've all had difficult horses and difficult moments so won't be nasty and if contained in the field or when others were not around then fine, but if a horse is being allowed to get worse due to the owner then it would have to go as there are children and other people to be mindful of.
Pan
Someone who uses their brain and puts common sense above panicking. Mollycoddling a horse too much (over fed, over rugged) can be just as bad or worse than not!
Someone who gets on with our other liveries. We have a very happy yard and wouldn't hesitate to get rid of someone who (without good cause) caused upset. They would get a polite word and given benefit of the doubt, but would not be tolerated long term.
The horse itself can be catered for with the group of horses it fitted with, or individually, so people with problem horses would still be welcome. However not ones that were allowed to be dangerous and put people at risk. There's a difference between over excited in the field and being dangerous when around other liveries outside of the field.
We've all had difficult horses and difficult moments so won't be nasty and if contained in the field or when others were not around then fine, but if a horse is being allowed to get worse due to the owner then it would have to go as there are children and other people to be mindful of.
Pan
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
This ^
My current (and only) livery - despite me saying I would never have another.... is a YM for a rather smart dressage & full livery yard. (not the right place for her horse who needs a quieter life now & wants 24/7 turnout, which they cannot offer)
She knows exactly how things are, and tho its early days for us as her horse has only been with me since end of Feb I have known her for a couple of yrs.
Everything is as I left it (sometimes tidier if on my work days!
)Money is on time, and for the 1st time in bloody years, I've been able to take 1 morning off already as I trust her implicitly with mine
The perfect livery is never to be found... but on some occasions, they do come close (but it can be the horse that lefts them down instead
)PandorasJar
Well-Known Member
I'd say the opposite! But only if they weren't quality YO's.
In my experience those are the ones who tend to quote the old "when I had a yard we did it this way" whether right or wrong lol. I don't mind very knowledgable people on the yard and have one very nice ex YO who is very proactive and thankful and great for advice and queries on things, also great for the younger riders. I also don't mind a conversation on an issue and am happy to be proven wrong or come to an amicable decision if in the benefit of the horses. But don't like the old YO's who steamroll in their view and force it upon other liveries when not necessary. Last one was asked to leave.
Pan
martlin
Well-Known Member
*tongue firmly in cheek*
Perfect livery? One that drops off a well mannered good doer horse on full livery and visits once a month to pay the bill, or even better - sends the money by bank transfer
Other than the ideal, I suppose paying on time, being reasonable in their demands and respecting my privacy is on top of my wishlist
Perfect livery? One that drops off a well mannered good doer horse on full livery and visits once a month to pay the bill, or even better - sends the money by bank transfer
Other than the ideal, I suppose paying on time, being reasonable in their demands and respecting my privacy is on top of my wishlist
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
*tongue firmly in cheek*
Perfect livery? One that drops off a well mannered good doer horse on full livery and visits once a month to pay the bill, or even better - sends the money by bank transfer
Oh yes - those too!
The producing livery owners were on the whole prob the best; sent their animals with good rugs, supplied nice saddlery, paid bills on time - and popped along to shows & occasionally to the yard as well
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
I guess I can see why I'm finding it tough to find DIY. I suppose having people up twice a day, every day, with varying standards of horse care etc is much more of a nuisance than having one in on full.
Wish I could afford two on full, they'd be welcome to them! No such luck though
!
Wish I could afford two on full, they'd be welcome to them! No such luck though
!Moobucket
Well-Known Member
What area are you in Jess?
My liveries are about as perfect as they come.
The yard is always tidy and well cared for. They're always cheery. They all get on. There's always a pot of tea and packet of biscuits on the go. They dote on their horses and they always pay on time.
You don't appreciate them until you get a rotten one and then....
My liveries are about as perfect as they come.
The yard is always tidy and well cared for. They're always cheery. They all get on. There's always a pot of tea and packet of biscuits on the go. They dote on their horses and they always pay on time.
You don't appreciate them until you get a rotten one and then....
martlin
Well-Known Member
That's part of it, another part being that DIY is just not financially viable, I mean, if I had DIYs I would have to go and find myself a JOB, as in, actually go out and DO somethingI guess I can see why I'm finding it tough to find DIY. I suppose having people up twice a day, every day, with varying standards of horse care etc is much more of a nuisance than having one in on full.
Wish I could afford two on full, they'd be welcome to them! No such luck though
instead of playing ponies all day Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
I'm looking round Bury St Edmunds. I actually have quite a few leads to follow up on this week so I'm not defeated by a long way
Some people on here have been fantastic, as has one of the local livery chaps who can't put us up himself but gave me some numbers. Aren't horsey folk nice ?That's part of it, another part being that DIY is just not financially viable, I mean, if I had DIYs I would have to go and find myself a JOB, as in, actually go out and DO something
lol. Rather you than me mate! What you do is much harder work than what I get up to of a day! I'd rather have my job I think.
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
What area are you in Jess?
My liveries are about as perfect as they come.
The yard is always tidy and well cared for. They're always cheery. They all get on. There's always a pot of tea and packet of biscuits on the go. They dote on their horses and they always pay on time.
You don't appreciate them until you get a rotten one and then....
Ditto this! I've got the perfect (DIY) livery, she really is a sweetie-pie.
She always pays promptly and is invariably polite and has this air of calm, collected, (horsey) efficiency, even when things go wrong and the vet has to come at odd hours, she always makes sure she text's me to let me know - important as we live here too!! She never ever takes this for granted though; and never dumps her horses on me if she's going away or whatever, she always makes sure that someone experienced comes in to do them.
Her children are fantastic: both have their ponies here and they're just like their mum: considerate, polite and look after their ponies superbly.
Long may she stay!
topclass
Well-Known Member
Perfect livery hmmm one thats polite, keeps there horse in a good standard or care, pays livery on time, keep the yard clean and tidy, respects that it's your home and not a dump, shut gates, and take other liveries into consideration and most of all can have a good laugh with we love to organise nights out, bbq's, pub lunches, shopping trip to horsey shops just have a happy yard where they all get on really
Wagtail
Horse servant
I don't do DIY livery and so don't encounter too many problems with liveries. My ideal livery has a warm and friendly personality, and gets on with everyone else on the yard. They are also good payers, that I don't ever have to chase up payment from.
They need to respect that it is my home as well as their horse's home, and that I am not at their beck and call at all hours of the day and night. Texting or calling me after 10 pm, for example is very annoying as it is my bed time and I like to keep my phone on and by my bed in case of emergencies.
I like liveries not to be too needy, for example, not asking me to constantly check things such as whether they have put their tack on correctly even though they have had the same tack for several years! Always wanting me to come and help them when they are more than capable of doing it themselves.
They must be kind to their horses and also like dogs because I have several around the yard and they would not enjoy being here if they didn't like dogs, as even I admit that one in particular is a big hairy nuisance!
They must be tolerant of my mood swings I am very friendly and pleasant, most of the time, but need my space and sometimes can be a bit hormonal and need leaving alone! Horses chill me out, not people. 
They need to respect that it is my home as well as their horse's home, and that I am not at their beck and call at all hours of the day and night. Texting or calling me after 10 pm, for example is very annoying as it is my bed time and I like to keep my phone on and by my bed in case of emergencies.
I like liveries not to be too needy, for example, not asking me to constantly check things such as whether they have put their tack on correctly even though they have had the same tack for several years! Always wanting me to come and help them when they are more than capable of doing it themselves.
They must be kind to their horses and also like dogs because I have several around the yard and they would not enjoy being here if they didn't like dogs, as even I admit that one in particular is a big hairy nuisance!
They must be tolerant of my mood swings
I am very friendly and pleasant, most of the time, but need my space and sometimes can be a bit hormonal and need leaving alone! Horses chill me out, not people. amandaco2
Well-Known Member
Pays on time
Tidy and cleans up after themselves
Gives you ample notice if they want planned full livery
Talks to you over any concerns
Treats the facilities,people and other horses with respect.
Looks after their own horses-by which I don't necessarily mean the same as me as we all do things differently.... but just making sure the needs are met-feet trimmed,vet out if needed,kept in good condition...etc.
Polite.don't have to be chatty just polite
Tidy and cleans up after themselves
Gives you ample notice if they want planned full livery
Talks to you over any concerns
Treats the facilities,people and other horses with respect.
Looks after their own horses-by which I don't necessarily mean the same as me as we all do things differently.... but just making sure the needs are met-feet trimmed,vet out if needed,kept in good condition...etc.
Polite.don't have to be chatty just polite
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
Yep, guess I could summarise by saying a perfect livery is one who:
Can put up with mad menopausal YO having a bad hair day
Can put up with cats and their dead or dying rodents being dumped in various places!
Can put up with YO's two badly behaved, hairy dogs, coming in from digging the muck-heap and shaking themselves all over her and the children!
Can put up with YO's wild and wacky horses
Is prepared to plough through mud and swamp in the middle of winter and can still remain cheerful: all before 7.00 a.m. on a miserable winter's morning!
Can put up with mad menopausal YO having a bad hair day
Can put up with cats and their dead or dying rodents being dumped in various places!
Can put up with YO's two badly behaved, hairy dogs, coming in from digging the muck-heap and shaking themselves all over her and the children!
Can put up with YO's wild and wacky horses
Is prepared to plough through mud and swamp in the middle of winter and can still remain cheerful: all before 7.00 a.m. on a miserable winter's morning!
scribble
Well-Known Member
I hope i am not a bad livery, i am on DIY but if i go away my YO looks after my horse, i generally fit in with others when farrier or vet comes or get my own and just let her know. YO breeds goats and was not there when none was kidding the other day so i delivered the twin babies for her. i pay within a week of invoice, mare is very good and YO says she is no trouble will go next to anyone, hacks out with babies and anyone (she is just 5) does run round sometimes having a mad 5 mins, i sweep the yard when i have finished, turn off all lights, lock up etc if i am last on yard, YO gets chocs and wine at birthday and xmas and i look after hers if she goes away (rarely) i help other liveries.
Wagtail
Horse servant
TicTac
Well-Known Member
Well I'm damn near perfect as a livery too! lol Been at my current yard 4 years ( DIY, would NEVER have full) and I am neat, tidy, extremely knowledgeable and leave everything in it's place and have a place for everything.
A few weeks ago my YO's mare jumped out of her field an lacerated her legs quite badly. Myself and the other livery treated her wounds and bandaged her legs and generally attended to her for about a week and using all our own first stuff as YO not well prepared!!
He was extremely greatfull and said we could each have a weeks free livery for our kind consideration and attention to his horse and both of us independantly said No. My YO is extremely accomodationg and is always open to suggestions. He does things that need doing at the drop of a hat and leaves us alone! Swings and roundabouts
A few weeks ago my YO's mare jumped out of her field an lacerated her legs quite badly. Myself and the other livery treated her wounds and bandaged her legs and generally attended to her for about a week and using all our own first stuff as YO not well prepared!!
He was extremely greatfull and said we could each have a weeks free livery for our kind consideration and attention to his horse and both of us independantly said No. My YO is extremely accomodationg and is always open to suggestions. He does things that need doing at the drop of a hat and leaves us alone! Swings and roundabouts