What do YOU expect from a livery yard?

[Gracie]

I agree with all the above comments and also think that having the time to look after each of the horses individually and give them some tlc is essential. Yards which have a personal touch, consistent staff and a YO/YM who knows the horses personally and is hands on enough to come into daily contact with them is important to me as I dont always get to see my horse on a daily basis, and i need to know someone is looking out for her.

There's nothing worse than having to redo the things that are included in your livery package, because they havent been done properly, and worrying about your horse all the time when you are away!

It would also be lovely to have the option of either individual or group turnout, as some horses are much happier in a group.

 

[little_critter]

The think that I'm missing at our yard at the moment is some sort of diary / board to put jobs / requests on such as 'fence in top field is wobbly - needs repairing' or 'please hold X for the farrier on Tuesday'
I rarely see the YO on the yard (though I think I'm there at fairly normal times) and don't want to bombard her with texts/calls.
Also I sometimes request things of the YO that she then delegates to her groom, things don't always get done...don't know if the groom forgot or the message wasn't passed on. If all requests were in one place then both YO and groom can see them.

 

[fidleyspromise]

Sounds good except for the turnout part. wouldnt work for me personally, as I have one mare that cant abikde being in

I look for decent grazing.
Individual Turnout - so I can have my 2 together without worrying about others.
Decent shelter so I don't need to rug / change rugs etc.
stabling so if it is needed in an emergency its there.
somewhere for vet/farrier - hard standing. don't mind if its a tie-up area
facilities are nice but as long as I have somewhere to school - corner of a field etc.
somewhere to store feed/hay
a place in tackroom for tack/hat etc.
a nice, pleasant YO that I can talk to with regards to concerns.
don't mind yard having opening/closing times provided that by prior arrangement I can come outwith those times.

 

[Batgirl]

I would say one of the most important things is to have the 'rules' what ever you decide are written down and kept to. Life can be made difficult if it is 'generally accepted that you can do x' and not written down any where.

Individual white boards outside stables are REALLY useful as well as a big yard one. ie Big yard one says Farrier/Vet coming so other people can book in. Individual one says 'Don't turn out Sat 18th am'. Makes misunderstandings less likely and make life easier when you have a mix of full/part livs.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having reasonably set hours with flexibility on an individual basis. The yard is locked up at night for security reasons which keeps my horse and tack safe. The yard generally opens at 8am when the horses are fed but anyone can come earlier but they have to feed the yard to avoid upset and let live in Y/O know, as another poster says (and as someone who yards sits) it is bloomin scary having someone unexpected at god knows what time at night!

Essentially you need to be happy with the rules and need to feel comfortable enforcing them. Make sure you get contracts that state you responsibilities and theirs. Possibly include emergency vet permissions in strict case of unable to contact, I wouldn't want my horse to suffer if I had lost my phone etc.

Don't try to please everyone, if you have set a rules and they are for a good reason stick to them, for everyone that doesn't like your way of doing it there will be one who thinks it is fine, everyone finds a yard they like and like it for different reasons.

I really don't like the phrase 'treat them as you would like to be treated/treat their horse as you would like yours to be treated' as this implies that they like the way you want your horse treated Treat their horse as they like it to be treated (within reason and with prior knowledge). good example from my yard, owner had asked for horse to be left in as she was riding, she was a bit late so a temp worker decided horse would be better out as that is what she would like, horse gets funny grass pockets/swelling after grazing so can't be ridden directly after being out

Sorry that turned into a bit of an essay! Enjoy your new yard!

 

[NativePonyLover]

My "must have's" include...

All year turn out in group/herds
Decent sized stables
Off road hacking
Flood lit sand school
Own instructor/vet/farrier welcome
Yard manager that offered assistance, was knowledgeable, approachable and could manage the liveries as well as the horses

 

[HuntingPink]

Turnout in groups/herds. Too many paces have individual turnout or just two in a paddock.

24/7 in the summer. Daily in the winter.

Decent sized stables which are open (no bars!) and airy and situated so that horses can see other horses.

A choice of decent quality hay or haylage.

At least oneoutdoor with a good surface (not woodchip or road scalpings covered in cheap rubbish. The surface should be levelled frequently

Horses checked so that they never go without water (field and stable) and hay (stable)

If staff or students are employed they are checked to make sure that they're doing the job properly!

Allocated storage space - not a free for all where some liveries hog the majority of the space

Fields NOT fertilised but are managed well

Good and secure fencing

A track system for good doers or those prone to laminitis

Tying up spots

 

[Ella19]

A safe yard in terms of sound unbroken well maintained fencing and facilities
Secured tackroom.
Space to store basics ie grooming kit and a few rugs
Well maintained school, lights are a bonus!
A flat, dry area for farrier, tie up, vet etc.
Water and electrics
A kettle is a bonus, hot water an extra treat!
Company