Working Livery?

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buzyizzy

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I currently keep my horse and my daughter's pony on DIY livery. My daughter is now away at uni for four years, although she comes home fairly regularly for weekends. I am working quite long hours and I am struggling to keep both of them going so we can go out for a ride when she comes home. I have advertised sharers for both of them, but have been unsuccessful on finding anyone. My local college has an equestrian centre for equine studies so they have a lot of working liveries there. It is a fabulous set up and is much cheaper term time and I have worked out it is also cheaper over the whole year. I have seen their contract and they horses are treated very well. It would mean that they are both fairly fit plus we have three days a week when we can ride.

What would you do?
 
If you're happy with the standard of care and instruction, then yes, in your shoes I would :)

Working livery can be a disaster, but as long as they're ridden properly and cared for, it can work very well. It sounds as though it would suit you better than most people as you can be quite certain of the days and amount you will want the horses.
 
My horse is on working livery different set up but so far it has all gone well :) He does an our or so in the school a day and I'm happy with the standerd of rider. But agree with what Theocat says I would deffinatly make sure you are happy with the standard of rider as know I wouldn't want to loan my boy to the local equestrain college.
 
thank you for your thoughts. Surely as it is an equestrian college, the riders are not complete novices? What should I look out for? I haven't said yes or no yet, I'm still doing my homework as it is a big move.
 
My mare is at a college and there are some really basic level riders there. They know literally the novices it would seem and are developing those through the year. There are also some fantastic riders who really know their stuff too. I know she can handle and tolerate the more basic ones and all the Taff are fantastic. I have watched many lessons and some are pretty wowy an some pretty basic.
 
They get turned out at the weekend during the winter, in pairs or small groups. More over Christmas hols and once the weather has improved.
 
Tbh at the moment they are in for 40 hours at a stretch atm, so as long as they have something to occupy them, I'm not so fussed during the week. Current yard is very fussy about their fields.
 
my mare was on working livery for years, only way I could afford her! Was slightly annoying when someone got on board who could ride her better than me but she was never over worked and was mega fit all the time which meant I could pretty do what I pleased with her - working livery worked far better for me than any private loan homes!
 
If it fits in better with your life then go for it.

Do lots of check first though.
Find out about every aspect of the care they will recieve.

Ask ex pupils and people that have or had their horses there.
 
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