What do livery users want?

For me, as others, priorities would be:

Sensible acreage per horse with decent fencing the horses can't go under/over;

Water supply to fields so no need to lug buckets;

Safe, lockable tack room and Yo who makes sure people do actually lock it;

Dogs not allowed, or if allowed, at least not permitted to crap on other people's haylage :(

Possibility to buy and store forage and bedding from yard;

WC and lights that work;

School which can be ridden in even in the winter;

Friendly people who help each other and return things they have borrowed.

Good luck with your new yard OP!
 
Good acreage to horse
No barbed wire
Maintenance done regularly
A YO who has firm rules which are enforced with everyone and who keeps an eye on the horses and doesn't tolerate mad people who won't turn out their horse for no good reason!
 
I've run two separate livery yards. Never again. Better an empty house, than a bad tenant.

The stories that I could tell you, would make your hair curl, some painful, some sad, and some beyond the comprehension of most. Initially, the YO was desperate to fill the 15 expensive and beautiful boxes. I pointed out that the horses would be owned by girls, but he knew best. ;)

Eventually, my prophesies came true, I handed the reins back to him, found somewhere else for my mares, and then surprisingly, most who became so dissatisfied with the YO came and asked if they could move to my new yard. All bar one were turned away, and the one that did move her horses to me, had a wonderful bum. :D

Alec.
 
My wish list:

A school with floodlights for evening riding. One outdoor is essential for me, more than one and an indoor are nice. If there is only one then a decent system for booking etc is important. Surface should be safe and maintained.

Well maintained sufficient grazing so that there is turn out all year round. By well maintained I mean, in terms of fencing, herd dynamics and numbers, rolling, harrowing, fertilising etc. Also I would ideally want a small area, possibly dirt/sand/woodchip for turning out injured or sick horses.

A walker would be nice but not essential.

Nice big boxes that are airy with decent light and rubber mats.

A toilet and changing area for humans. A shower would be a real luxury.

Yard willing to allow a choice of feed.

Decent quality hay/haylage included

Decent quality bedding included - preferably with some choice

Flexible livery options offered at a variety of prices. If it includes full care this should be true full care so to include treating minor injuries, picking out feet and basic grooming.

Trustworthy staff, good routines and thoroughness so that I can be confident to leave my horse in their care when I go on holiday.

Access to decent hacking, doesn't have to be off road although an all weather surface off road track or gallops would be wonderful.

Secure suitable storage for tack and equipment and for my trailer.

Ability to manage special requirements and especially ill or injured horses. If you are paying for full care this should be included.

Reasonable opening hours so I can ride in the evening and/or arrive early to prepare for a show.

A wash box with warm water, heat lamps and a nearby power point for clipping would be lovely, failing that a space for clipping and washing down.

Shows and clinics on site would be nice, although I wouldn't want them to be so frequent as to intrude on the normal use of the facilities.

Ability to use whatever professionals I wish including vets, dentist, farrier, instructor. Although a regular person visiting is useful for most I don't want to be restricted.

Good security.

Decent lighting in winter.

YO doing late checks for peace of mind.

An approachable YO who is prepared to listen to their liveries and take on board feedback, who is aware of what other yards offer and wants to offer a really good service.
 
if you are going to have a mix of diy, part and full then they can all have the same equality with the facilities ie just because they are diy does not mean they don't have the rights to the use the school if a full livery wants to. also if people can book for single use then they have to have slots out of peak time ie not between 4-7pm as most people work

good management, and the ability to stomp on bullies, fair rules which apply to everyone

well maintained facilities etc


if you are going to keep the saddlery then how about 5% discount for liveries and as for the cafe you might want to rent this out as an independent concern to start with which will leave you to focus on the other stuff rather than spread to thin!
 
Scottishmiss I cant thank you enough, I want to hit the ground running and set off with the foundations to expand..not quite to 300... but I want to have the organisation in place that things don't have to keep changing to eliminate confusion(change goalposts or undermine myself by appearing to have to keep changing things!). I really cant thank all you h&h forumers enough for all your invaluable experiences and personal preferences, not everyone can be pleased in some aspects but there are ways of making as many as possible happy.
 
Well good luck thats so exciting!

My wants would be:

good turnout all year round
nice sized stables
areas to tie up for farrier etc
excellent lighting in all areas including barns etc (filling haynets in the dark is no fun)
arena with floodlights and jumps
plenty of storage for own hay and straw for either big or small bales
toilet - amazing how yards don't have one!
hot water
washing machine - such a useful bit of kit!

I used to run my own yard from our old house and have mainly DIY's and I found if you can keep them with their own areas etc it saves a lot of arguments including turnout as people would always come moaning saying that someone hadn't done their fair share of poo picking etc. Also lockable areas for tack then it becomes their responsibility.
 
A livery yard owner that is prepared to listen to your concerns and act upon them in an effective, calm and kind manner and treat you with respect. Clients are very important, word of mouth more important still. One day word of mouth will come back to haunt you.

Although YO's think they can treat you with contempt and be extremely rude to you like my friend who was told the other day to **** off when the YO's husbands dog chased her horse across the yard when it wasn't tied up correctly staff and escaped. If you don't like it (i.e the dog chasing her horse) you know what you can do; **** off!

According to my friend the same dog chases liveries horses in the jumping paddock, over the XC course and in their fields. My friend says she has said to him that apparently this is okay as the horses shouldn't run away from the dog, and its the dogs home so it can come and go as it pleases!!!! Unbelievable!!
 
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Thank you all for such constructive posts and kind comments. It appears ethics of respect, equality and approachable organised authority are of equal importance as the facilities loving the simplicity of these suggestions as the implementation can be instant!!
 
I can't think of anything that hasn't already been mentioned other than yes a human toilet but must be CLEAN! So many yards have toilets that have never been introduced to a bottle of bleach. Eugh!

Quite exciting to feel like HHO is contributing to building the dream livery yard through you! Do let us know when it's up and running. Photos are a must!
 
Abril said:
Thank you all for such constructive posts and kind comments. It appears ethics of respect, equality and approachable organised authority are of equal importance as the facilities loving the simplicity of these suggestions as the implementation can be instant!!
Click to expand...

the best thing about respect and equality is that it is cheap and what you give you will tend to get back from your clients. that said their will be some which make it difficult for you but that's human nature unfortunately.

also to add to your list, to be able to pay by direct debit etc,
 
Yard that is run as a proper business... and you deliver what you promise.

No pet liveries. What you do for one livery you do for another.
 
My dream yard would be:

Large stables with private tackroom at the back
24/7 turnout in Summer, in a nice big feild with post and rail fencing.
Daily turnout in winter, indivdual or small herd
Self filling water troughs in field
Lami Paddocks
Jumping field
Meange, that has good drainage and is rolled at least once a week
Friendly staff
Booking system for the menage
Late night checks by YO who lives on site
Great hacking
Storage for Bedding and hay
Option for extra services (at an additional charge of course)
A wash area
Tiolets
Tea room
 
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