What do you look for

[horseygirl72]

What do you look for in a livery yard?

What would be you ideal facilities, what you you expect to pay and what would it included, yard size, how important is hacking, would having stallions on the same yard put you off?, would it put you off if the arena was not available all the time due to occasional clinics/hiring out/small competitions?, individual or herd turnout, hay or haylage, how much would you expect to pay for DIY/Part/Full and what would they include, would you rather have individual tack rooms or one large shared one, etc...

 

[fizzer]

I have mine at home but if I was to look at livery my preferences would be essentially

All year turnout
Good hacking out
Stables
School

 

[Spring Feather]

I have my own farm but if I were looking for a yard it would resemble my own. Arenas; round pen;, good 24/7 grazing in large, well fenced, mud-free and visible fields; direct access to off-road riding; are all an absolute must for me. I have stallions here from time to time. I wouldn't have a problem with there being stallions on a yard providing the fencing was good and the horses were all managed professionally. I wouldn't expect it to be inexpensive and would be prepared to pay accordingly for all of the above facilities.

 

[JHC]

Most important thing for me is turnout, ideally 24/7 in spring/summer months and at least daily in the winter.

Then it would be how professional the YO/YM runs the yard - how he/she interacts with liveries on the yard (and vice versa).

Location is another big factor; on a nice quiet road with good hacking or even better off-road hacking is a big plus.

I don't really like american barn stables unless they have a window so they can look outside and have some fresh air. I was horrified at a livery near me that has 20 stables all in a old agricultural barn with only one door at one end.

As long as I have the above, I'm not too fussy on other facilities really. An school would be lovely, but I'd want a professional surface as I find some are too deep/hard. Well kept stables and storage areas, wash down room, hard standing and generally the whole yard/paddocks are well maintained.

I'm in Devon - so I'd pay £20-£25 a week for DIY.

 

[hihosilver]

For me 24/7 turnout would be the main facility I would want.

 

["ruby"]

Security:
Tack rooms, fields and access.

Schools:
Surfaced, well maintained.

Help you can trust if you need it- the rest I'm flexible.