why have a horse if you have it on full livery?

[Ambers Echo]

Haven't read all the posts. Why do some people think that they are bonding with their horse when the muck out, brush the yard or poo pick the paddock? I can understand grooming as you are actually with your horse but adjusting the electric fence to give them more grass doesn't count as bonding either. We have 3 horses, all are in work, they jump, do dressage & arena eventing in the winter. We bond with them by grooming, riding & schooling but most of the other stuff is a pain in the @rse. We do everything because cannot afford full livery on 3 horses, someone has to do it & it's us due to finances. I assure you if I could afford it I'd have someone to muck out, poo pick, adjust fences if I could afford it.

This!! I enjoy all aspects of care that involve directly interacting with the horses. But it makes no difference at all to my 'bond' who does the yard chores or the mucking out. If anything it just takes time away from the interactive stuff as I'm too busy getting on with jobs just to chill in the field and watch them or hang out in the barn and groom or just chat to them. If I could afford full livery 7 days a week I'd absolutely ask for that.

 

[Peglo]

This has been an interesting thread, if very old ? I do DIY and can totally see people will have more time to spend on the fun things with their horses with livery. But I do feel like feeding them, poop scooping (as they come over for a cuddle and scratch) and hanging around is good bonding time. But I definitely find I don’t have the time to ride as much as I’d like.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think that last line from @Muddywellies sums it up, for me. I love the bones of my horse & I'd keep my horse if he had to retire tomorrow. But, I love riding my horse too. If DIY livery meant I didnt have the time to do that but part livery did, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

It just so happens I have a (basic but suits us) DIY yard close to home with great hacking.

I've been fundamentally the same owner whether I pick up his poo or someone else does throughout the years - I've never loved him less or thought differently about him whether he's been on full/part livery or DIY.

 

[criso]

This has been an interesting thread, if very old ? I do DIY and can totally see people will have more time to spend on the fun things with their horses with livery. But I do feel like feeding them, poop scooping (as they come over for a cuddle and scratch) and hanging around is good bonding time. But I definitely find I don’t have the time to ride as much as I’d like.

That's why i have livery, much more hanging around time which is part of the fun stuff and the reality is if he poos, i will get it out as i can't leave it there.

 

[shortstuff99]

I have just moved onto part livery (I still do weekends) after 20 years of DIY and honestly I'm not sure I would go back. My dad used to have to help me a lot due to some physical difficulties and he didn't really want to do it anymore. Plus I was so frustrated with trying to guess when to bring mine in so she wouldn't be on her own (goes ballistic).

Now I have so much more time for riding and socialising! I do sometimes get a bit annoyed as I'm very specific about how I like to look after them, but my horses are really happy.

 

[PurBee]

Full livery is an excellent option for people with schedules that are erratic, and also for folk who hate the back-breaking work of practically looking after a half tonne beasty!

I’ve no judgement whatsoever, if the animal is healthy, stimulated and cared for, what does it matter who provides that? The owner pays to ensure they are cared for. Finding a good full livery is probably more the challenge.

I have horses at home and i’d pay a groom to come in an help a few hours per week if i could afford it. I spend a ridiculous amount of time doing land-management, fencing, drainage, re-seeding, fertilising, topping, strimming, tree-trimming, maintenance of horse areas, making mud-free all weather tracks, sourcing decent feed, maintenance of machinery to do all those jobs, and of course - endless poo-picking!… that i barely have the hours left to actually enjoy the horses! Its ridiculous how much it takes just one person to manage the entire terrain horses require. I’d employ a team to do it all, if money was no object, just so i could spend an hour a week just friggin’ cuddling them! ?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I work a job with unpredictable and often long hours, so DIY would be somewhere from impractical to impossible. Currently even on a good day I rarely leave the yard before 7-8pm if I’ve ridden, and that’s without doing any yard jobs at all. I barely have time to cook/do house jobs as it is ?

So that’s why it’s full livery for me!

 

[Winters100]

Seems so strange to me that people who are paying for their horses to get good levels of care are asked to justify why they don't clean their own boxes! What about horses who do not have clean boxes or adequate care?

I filled my own haynets tonight, along with about 20 others, because the groom was feeling unwell. Tomorrow I must remember to ask my horses if the hay was tastier, or if they slept better, for knowing that they had been filled by their owner.

I am clearly a terrible owner as do not intend to ever clean my boxes outside of some problem making it necessary.

 

[Gloi]

Mucking out is much nicer if you are doing it while you are passing the time with your horse rather than because you need to do it no matter what else is going on in your life that day.

 

[pistolpete]

Two points spring to mind. I did it once but only because the yard had many other pluses. Good facilities hacking and appropriate grazing for my horse. I did go every day though. It was very close to home. I felt sorry for the horses who weren’t visited daily by their owners. I can’t say the care they got was great. That’s the biggest issue for me.

 

[exracehorse]

I often wonder how folk can afford full livery. There are two yards near who offer full. In fact only take full livery. And are doing very well. But one is 800 pounds a month. With shoes. Insurance etc on top. That’s a mortgage. You would have to earn a lot of money.

 

[ecb89]

I often wonder how folk can afford full livery. There are two yards near who offer full. In fact only take full livery. And are doing very well. But one is 800 pounds a month. With shoes. Insurance etc on top. That’s a mortgage. You would have to earn a lot of money.

Or sacrifice a lot

 

[lme]

I keep mine on full because I work full time, have unpredictable hours and they are split across multiple yards in different locations, depending on their needs. The yards they are on all have a good standard of care and knowing my horses are not dependent on me for daily care takes the pressure off.

 

[Kat]

I keep my horse on full livery because I care about her and want her to have a regular routine and proper care no matter how busy I am.

I don't think it would be fair to have her waiting to be brought in while I'm stuck in rush hour traffic, or turned out before all the other horses because I have an early meeting.

I don't want to be unable to spend time grooming or riding because I am busy at work and only have time to muck out.

I have a horse to enjoy riding, grooming and spending time with the horse. Not so that I can spend time mucking out an empty stable and filling haynets.

I didn't have a horse until I could afford at least part livery because I knew I needed that to provide the standard of care I wanted to, and have time to enjoy horse ownership alongside my job and my family.

I am perfectly capable of doing all the DIY jobs and have done DIY at times in the past but it isn't sustainable for me.

I get a bit sick of this holier than thou attitude from some about full livery. Horses don't care who fills their haynet or picks up their poo, they just care that it is done. Paying for livery services is supporting a small business or self employed person, it is good for the industry.

 

[Muddywellies]

Those who have mentioned affording it, yes, it's jolly expensive. BUT if you to break down what you pay at DIY including fuel for two (for me, sometimes three) visits a day, bedding, hay, feed, external arena hire if your facilities are poor, fuel for collecting hay, paying for holiday cover, plus your time, you'll be amazed at what it all adds up to, and is closer to a full-livery price than you might imagine.

 

[shortstuff99]

Those who have mentioned affording it, yes, it's jolly expensive. BUT if you to break down what you pay at DIY including fuel for two (for me, sometimes three) visits a day, bedding, hay, feed, external arena hire if your facilities are poor, fuel for collecting hay, paying for holiday cover, plus your time, you'll be amazed at what it all adds up to, and is closer to a full-livery price than you might imagine.

I agree, when I added it up I'm paying about £100 more a month then DIY, and that is basically covering for them mucking out. I think that is quite a good deal!

 

[j1ffy]

Gosh, what a judgemental thread! I'm pleased there are a lot of 'live and let live' people with balanced views as well though

Mine are on part (i.e. everything except grooming and exercise) livery, which also provides the option for exercise as an additional service. Why? Firstly because I work long hours and often have to travel - 'travel' may mean a five-hour round trip to clients so out of the house from 6am to 8pm or more, or the odd overnight. Secondly, because I enjoy occasionally doing all the chores but doing it every day would wear me down on top of work and I'd have no energy to ride. Thirdly, I love riding! Finally, I'm in a very well-paid career and can afford it. Oh and another thing (pulls cigar out of mouth), I have found a yard with great care levels so I completely trust them to take care of my boy. Funnily enough it's a lot cheaper than a smarter yard I was at before but with far more grazing and a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

I don't make it to the yard to see my horse every day, much as I would like to. Other than work I have a partner (who I actually like and want to spend time with, unlike my ex-husband ?), a social life and other forms of exercise to fit in. I'm fairly sure that none of my horses care whether they see me every day or not, and they still recognise me and stick their head over the door / come to me in the field when they hear my voice. To me, there's no doubt that they know that I'm 'their' human as they are rarely groomed / ridden by others and, no matter how much a groom or YO likes your horse, they'll never treat them as their own.

One day I hope to have horses at home and run a very different type of business. My wonderful partner is also a builder so I've already told him that he's doing fencing and land maintenance - I'll buy him some nice toys to do it with of course ?

 

[Ambers Echo]

This morning I planned to spend a bit of time with Lottie in her stable. But after mucking out 3, poo picking the field, doing feeds, hay and water, I didn;t have time. So she saw me for a few minutes though I was there for an hour and a half. I'd have far more quality time with the horses if they were on full.

 

[ew0855]

I'm currently on full livery as I have a horse who's far too good for me! I don't have the talent or confidence for a highly bred, 17hh, 4 year old. But he makes me happy, he's the most gorgous creature and I adore him. He's also getting a much much better start in life on a professional yard with competant, confident riding than he would with his amateur owner.

I've got a busy, unpredictable job with long hours that lets me afford to keep Isaac in the luxary he thinks he deserves. I'm happier, healther and more relaxed for having him. His bills support several local businesses. Would I love to have the time and ability to produce him myself ? Of course but the simple fact is I don't. So while Isaac is well cared for and happy we'll continue as we are

 

[milliepops]

there aren't really any full livery yards round me that I'd move to, only one I'm aware of is the yard I moved away FROM... it was WAAAAAAY more expensive than what I pay for DIY incl all costs but that's partly because I get my hay for free plus I have 2 horses on a yard. my time isn't x2 but the costs for full livery would be.

I used to have assisted DIY which was wonderful and I'd do that again in a heartbeat if I had the option. But having 5 others at home means I'm never able to dodge horse duty anyway so if I'm up to do them i may as well do the other 2 while i'm at it.
I do get a lot of "contact time" while mucking out and poo picking, I always do jobs like that with the horses around and they are sociable so hang out with me, i quite enjoy that (but I'd like a self propelled wheelbarrow very much)

 

[DressageCob]

Having read this thread, my full is other people's part. My full livery includes everything except for exercise/grooming (beyond picking feet out when they come in). I can (and often do) organise exercise on top.

To be frank, even if I were retired and had time for DIY, and even did everything myself, I would still pay for full livery at my yard. I just don't want to go anywhere else and they only offer full!

 

[Birker2020]

Before you all scream at me, let me just say that I saw this on a Facebook group and there was some very interesting answers, I'm not attacking anyone, this is only a little discussion and opinion sharing. If you have a horse why have full livery? If you have a job or some other kind of commitment that takes up your time in the day or you do nights then I completely understand but people who just can't be bothered mucking out etc really annoy me, if you want a horse and have time then go up and care for your horse! A girl on my old yard had 3 horses and had full livery even though she only worked from 9 until 3 and only came up on weekends to ride them. I go to my horse everyday to do my yard jobs and love it. I'd love to see everyone's opinions on this. Please keep the thread mature and respectful even if you disagree with someone's opinion.

I have always had mine on assisted DIY where the staff will turn out or bring in as and when and put made up feeds/hay tubs over the door.

As my jobs always been a 7.30am start and I have to leave the house for the most part by 6.30am its impossible for me to do the horse reguarly, although I've done it before now when sick, etc.

I really enjoy mucking out and doing nets, water, etc and feel proud of the finished stable.

But I understand the some people work busy jobs, my mate for example is a vet physio so works very unsociable hours. Not much good her doing a 9-5 when most of her clients aren't available during working hours. So she has her boy on full livery, so do others I know who have demanding jobs or live far away from the yard.

Even if I could afford it I wouldn't although I happily put my horse on FDC (full day care) one day a week in the winter so I can go and visit Mum, cook her tea and then go to the gym afterwards.

 

[D66]

This is so judgmental.
I haven’t read every page so may have missed comments on people who keep their horses at home but have a groom to do daily care. How do they fit into the caring/couldn’t care less spectrum?

 

[windand rain]

The joy in horse ownership for me is caring for them. However if I could afford it, didn't comporomise their care eg top notch care and the livery didn't mind me being around I would love to have the heavy stuff done for me now I am getting old

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

I can see why people want and need full livery but I really enjoy doing everything for mine and feel I wouldn't get to know them so well if they were on full livery and I just turned up to ride. I like just walking to and from the field with them, poo picking while they come and hang out with me etc, however if I could employ someone just to muck out and turn them out on cold wet dark mornings I would. I haven't ridden mine for years due to them being old and retired and now having a 2 year old and a retired pony. I have them mainly because I enjoy being with them and caring for them, riding is just a nice bonus.
As long as the horse is happy and well cared for it doesn't really matter what kind of livery you use as long as it suits both you and the horse.

 

[jay2bee]

Every DIY yard I've been on, only about 10% of the people actually ride their horses. Mixture of people with too little time and energy once chores are done , or pony patters who don't really enjoy riding anymore/are scared to. At my current full livery yard, everyone has a trailer and is out an about every week, whether it be show jumping/eventing/just nice hacks - just because we don't spend time mucking out and filling nets doesn't mean we don't spend time with our horses!

 

[Ouch05]

I'm currently DIY the cost is eye watering I could move them to part livery for the same cost. Why don't I? tbh my own stupid fault. I need to just let go a little of the control that way instead of riding riding one, one night and another the next etc I would possible ride both one night and actually have an evening off instead of getting home at 8 every night totally wiped out. But I have only ever done DIY I serious may have to re-think this as everything those on full or part have said is so true. They don't know or care who muck out/fills nets etc but they do know who grooms and rides and that is me!

Taking my tired and broken body off for a wee chat with myself!!!

 

[Muddywellies]

Every DIY yard I've been on, only about 10% of the people actually ride their horses. Mixture of people with too little time and energy once chores are done , or pony patters who don't really enjoy riding anymore/are scared to. At my current full livery yard, everyone has a trailer and is out an about every week, whether it be show jumping/eventing/just nice hacks - just because we don't spend time mucking out and filling nets doesn't mean we don't spend time with our horses!

I also noticed at DIY yards i was at, a high percentage of the liveries didn't ride. At my yard (I'm full livery) everyone rides and most compete, and we all have extremely good relationships with our horses. My full livery doesn't include exercise. I bring in, brush, tack up, ride, bath, and generally pamper my horse. I can do all that because I don't have all the other jobs to do. Everyone's happy ?

 

[MuddyMonster]

The thing that always intrigues me, is how do people know who rides & doesn't?

I ride 6 days a week but rarely anyone is there to witness it.

I can honestly say, whether I've been on DIY or full livery, I've neither the time or the inclination to keep tabs on who does what or what their relationship is with their horse.

 

[MagicMelon]

I think its up to the individual person. Personally I enjoy looking after my horses and being their sole provider. I dont like people doing my horses, just because Ive never had that, Ive always kept my horses at home so Id feel weird someone else potentially having a say in their care or not doing things quite how I like it. I couldnt trust someone else with mine, more just their treatment, I would hate to risk someone else walloping my horse for example.