Would you pay for livery with really "rustic" stables?

sandi_84

sandi_84

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I was just talking to the OH about Kellybee's barn/stables conversion as I've been following her story and keep pestering him to show him the updated photos to show him how well it looks :o
He was saying to me that he thought I'd love to do something like that and he's right, it would look rustic but it would do perfectly for me and I'd really love it for it's personality as long as it was fully functional :D
I'd eventually like to have a couple of stables to rent out for livery (way in the future!) like maybe 10 tops (including 2-3 for our horses so 7 for customers) and it got me wondering. Id be more than happy renting stables like that as long as they were safe and functional. Would you be happy with a stable like that or if you would only every use something more "polished" and modern?
 
noodle_ said:
rustic is fine! as long as they are safe :)

no nails etc - rustic is good!! fwiw its more "homely".. :)
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Oh aye it would have to be safe! :D But yes that's what I was thinking, it's why I love old cottages, they are homely :D

P.s I love Kellybee's stables, I'd sleep in there! ;):D
 
i know!! i was on a yard once with perfect stables - literally uniformed.....i felt totally out of place!!....

i love a nice, chilled diy yard - which feels welcoming :)

good luck!! you already got the barn planned??? :D
 
noodle_ said:
i know!! i was on a yard once with perfect stables - literally uniformed.....i felt totally out of place!!....

i love a nice, chilled diy yard - which feels welcoming :)

good luck!! you already got the barn planned??? :D
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Oh no not yet! :D It'll be a good few years before we're in a position to be thinking about that anyway but I'd like to do a few BHS exams in the interim period as I'd like to freelance teach too along with whatever I finally decide on as a "proper" career ;) But we talk about what our ideal house/land/stables/animals etc would be in the future :D
 
I think as long as it's safe, you will get customers. My little set-up is certainly not smart, but it works and I have a waiting list - but my current liveries have been with me for 4 years and 6 years respectively.

And it's interesting that people are more fussy about the grazing than the stables. I do 24/7 turnout, in old hedged and treed pastureland with 2 streams and shelter from almost every angle. That's what people comment on.

I do hope you get your wish one day. It's great fun and I wouldn't be without my liveries. Also, you can always add and make smarter as and when you have the money. Doesn't all have to happen at once.
 
Agree with rosefolly - its the grazing that most people care more about.
I moved to my current yard which is actually on a working farm and I have three very rustic stables in the corner...but 8 acres of well draining, well sheltered pasture all to myself!
The farmer has also put up 8 new boxes and an acre of turnout per horse at the "smart" end of the farm, but give me my set up any day! Love it! :-D
 
I started off going to a hireling yard where all the ponies lived in old tractor export boxes in an old lady's back garden - turnout was a mile down a public road to which they would tow the unprepared - very quickly! I spent a wet afternoon pulling out half a bucket of nails once. Much later I ended up buying my wife a school horse from "probably the Best Equitation Centre in the World" at the time - not swanking, just a happy accident of geography - here, some of the finest stock you've ever seen lived in massive purpose built loose boxes almost knee deep in bedding, waited on mouth and hoof.

It's not only horses for courses but very much courses for folk - you can't expect anyone to finance the last operation for the costs of the first and some folk wouldn't want to pay it anyway no matter what. The old lady thought the world of her ponies and gave kids like me an almost free Horsey education - I thought the place was Heaven on Earth - whereas, the other place could be rather cold, distant and horses merely so much worth or a means for glory despite the excellent surroundings and care.

I don't doubt that you could fill quite a few places by providing safe but "homespun" stabling with a good turnout. A way to find out would be to stop and ask a few folk you see out riding near you - choose one's riding hairy sorts and you should be laughing!
 
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