**Where are the Liveries??**

I moved to a livery yard that was brand new awhile ago and wouldn't again. It meant that we had to put up with a not so great service whilst the teething problems were sorted. I know that's not much help to you but hopefully once you get one or two people in things will speed up.
Things that put me off are (and there are a few!):
1) Staff - they must be well trained and capable
2) Feed - I'm fussy abotu what my horse eats
3) Fencing/general safety
4) Safe turn out - I'm not grass mad, as long as it's safe
5) Big stables
I'm not saying you don't have these things just a quick tip to emphasis these points if people phone up. Also definitely a good idea to put your prices on there and state whether you offer DIY/part or full livery.
 
It looks like a lovely lovely yard and if i were nearer i'd be interested! Have you put an ad on horsemart at all? Out of interest how much are you charging? pm if you prefer!

DIY yard costs seem to really vary and so when i was looking i enquired if they weren't listed - i pay £22 per week and we have an indoor and outdoor school - i asked at one place and they wanted £50 per week (including hay and bedding) and if i remember rightly they only had one school!
 
I wonder if the time of year might be making a difference to the numbrof people looking to move? Perhaps people will start looking more at the end of the summer when they need a school, horsewalker, nice stables etc more??
 
we have no teething problems as yard all build and finished a while ago now. There were others here before me, but they have moved on and out. I will go to tack shops and put prices up, thanks marchtime x
 
I'd be put off by the grand sounding facilities, and suspect maybe other people are not looking for something so grand at the moment. Could be worth re-advertising with a plain and simple ad asking for DIY and grass liveries, not metioning the gorgeous facilities (if you are genuinely price competitive) - that might just avoid people immediately dismissing your ad, then when they get to visit you they will be wowwed! They won't bring in as much money as much as a yard full of full liveries, but some income has got to be better than none, to get you going? ... just a thought.
 
Sounds and looks wonderful, but I would be put off with an add not stating any prices, as I would assume it would be FAR to expensive for the likes of me!

Really hope you get some interest soon, all it takes is one happy client and the word soon gets around - Good Luck.
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what do you think the prices should be??? bare in mind i'm in surrey have a good yard hacking is brill, i have to pay the staff, pay the bill's ect ect...
I'm open for offers and will listern to all.
 
In that area, £90 per week for 7 day basic livery (muck out, food, hay, bedding, turnout, rugs, feet pick) would be going rate I reckon.

 
What kind of livery services are you doing? full livery with exercise included/ just full livery no exercise/ 5 day full livery/ DIY livery?

DIY I reckon should be about £35 a week? and 5 day livery £80? 7 day livery £110 ?
 
Well I paid £20 a week for a yard with excellent hacking, all off road, 2 outdoors, 1 indoor, horsewalker - there was lorry parking. In all fairness it was no where near as nice looking as your place - was quite messy and imo badly run hence why i moved but that was quite in a pricey area of Kent! I would be willing to pay £30/wk max if i only had one horse (i have 2 though!), hope that helps! ETS - Thats for pure DIY - no feed/bedding/assistance!
 
we are doing part/full and delux livery with fully trained staff and a fully trained instructor, the stables are big, you don't have to pay for the flood lit school lighting, the sand school never ever floods or freeze's i live on site, the tack room is like fort knotts with c.c.t.v camera's every where, tarmac drive way and BIG car park with more than enough lorry/trailer space's
 
Well I wish I could be there. I pay nearly £40 a week for pure DIY with two outdoor schools that flood terribly and the surface is desperately in need of doing, there are loads of mean people there (and some lovely ones too tho) and the shavings are £7 a bale, the hay is terrible at the moment (mouldy end of last years) and I have to drive 30mins each way after work to get there and back - oh and no winter turnout!!!! I want to move
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Why don't you organise an Open Day? I think people choose livery yards very much on 'word of mouth' and local reputation. Offer food and drink and invite friends and local people involved in the horseworld (farriers, tackshops, vets etc.)

If you can get people through the door to see the great facilities, then word will get out that your yard is the place to be!

Good luck!
You could also speak to other local livery yards that are full and ask them to refer any 'overspill' to you? Often popular yards have long waiting lists and are more than happy to do this.
 
I think the people who are able to pay the higher livery fees for part/full/delux livery are likely to be working full time and are prob going to go for a yard with an indoor school for evening riding or wet weather riding in the winter.

I pay roughly £37 a week DIY for a yard with a large indoor school plus 2 outdoors and I am in London/herts border, have good turnout though hacking is not that great. I think full livery at my yard for a big horse is £120 a week.

Your yard looks great but I imagine that if everyone wanted to ride in the evening after work in winter in the school it would be crowded.
 
I opened a livery yard up 6 months ago now in Wilsthire. I launched mine with an Open Day which was very succesful and spreads the word round so to speak! I advertised in all local tack shops and grocery stores and garages. Its hard starting out but once you get your first few customers and they are happy they will soon spread the word for you!

Good luck and don't panic it does seem quieter this time of year but im sure you will be thriving and run off your feet before you know it.
 
i pay £90 for 7day part livery in West End, but horsewalker is smaller and school isn't as good. I've ridden in your school and it's got a fab surface. I wouldn't expect you to charge less than £110 a week for 7 day part livery (ie everything except grooming and riding)
 
Thanks for that x
by the way are you at fens lane/ fens farm!! use to be louis king there!!! I see the sand school in yr pic!!
 
I pay £85 pw for PL. We are having a new bigger school built and have amazing hacking nearby but a bit of road work to get there.

The reason I chose it is because I work full-time and want to know that my horse will be well looked after if I end up working late or going on holiday.

The £85 includes basic feed (mollichaff, sugarbeet & nuts), bedding, t/o & b/i, picking out of feet & a quick groom.

I'm really pleased with my yard, it is friendly and not bitchy at all, which I love the most. Or YO leaves us to get on with it and comments about any feed changes or general notes (eg 'if it's raining can Bob have his rug on') are all put on a white board. This also allows people to share info if they have a space in their lorry or are going out on a hack etc. There are 2 diaries, 1 for the horses (can Bob stay in Sat morning) and 1 for the school, though you can't block a space out for a 'no share' on a w/e which is annoying if you want a lesson.

Hope this helps!
 
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No _clarie_. Thats what i thought to be honest with you... and have made sure we undercut a lot of yards around here. we have not displayed our rates as would like people to phone and come to take a look, but only had 1 chuffing call.... Puzzled....

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I wouldn't call personally as I figure if I have to ask the price, then I can't afford it! I would always want to see a ball park price for livery.
 
understand chestnut cob what yr saying x
but i went back to all tack shops yesterday and their was'nt ONE livery yard add that was displaying it's prices!! apart from mine "now"
 
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