YO/YM who do not live on-site

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Poetess

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Just some general logistics questions...

I managed a small livery barn for a couple of years and while I did not live there, the yard owner's home was on-site and she would check the horses in the evening and in the morning before she left for work. I didn't worry about someone not being around in an emergency.

Now I'm looking at properties and can't find any homes with stabling that I like in our price range, so I'm considering instead simply buying or renting a yard. The idea of someone not being nearby to check on the horses if needed makes me uncomfortable, though, and the possibilities of theft/injury/freak acts of nature seem endless.

So if you're a YO or YM and no one lives on-site at your yard, how do you manage? What precautions do you take? How early do you arrive in the morning, and how late do you leave at night?

Sorry, this probably all sounds pretty daft. I just don't have any experience with stand-alone livery yards -- at all of mine we've had someone just a steps away to keep half an eye on things.
 
we were worried when we first got our yard but 11 years on we are still going strong, very few problems have arisen over the years regarding safety and theft, we have alarms, cctv and very good neighbours, but it really depends on many things, what type of horses you have? are they living out? we keep mainly cob types and have them out as much as possible, but we also have a tb who needs more attention, so we usually get to the yard around 8am and depending on time of year usually finish around 6/6.30, in the summer we may be there till 8 or 9 if hacking and for winter we have floodlit school so liveries sometimes ride in eves if working, being flexible is essential. There are quite a few livery and private yards that dont have anyone on site as the ones with living are so expensive, hope this helps
 
Thanks Fosterdown, that helps a lot!

I don't actually have any horses at the moment, just checking possible routes. I'd prefer to buy a house with the land, but obviously it's very expensive, so until the right property comes along I'm leaning toward just getting a yard and possibly renting out some of the stables if there's room.
 
Have never been lucky enough to have yard at home. Its 5 miles away & tho close to town, its also isolated too.

However, have not had any probs with theft etc, only odd annoying things such as old headcollars taken in school holidays....I don't leave anything of value there at all.

Have had someones dog into the yard which killed several bantams late 1 morning, while I was out riding., really upsetting, but could have happened if I lived on site too.

Usually the fuzzies have been ok, but if I was concerned about one I'd drive back for a late check & be prepared to stop over. Have a caravan stored there & have used it on the odd occasion when really necessary for a possible colic case (false alarm) and a few foalings. Previously took the horsebox down & used that on odd occasions if needed.

Summing up, It's not like being able to walk out the door to check yard, but then again if you sleep deeply you might not hear anything out of the ordinary happening anyway.

Good luck in your search :)
 
I know someone who has some sort of remote security, which is a sensor across the gates and fence line - it rings him and a friend if anything sets it off. Unfortunately the cat has set it off at 3am a few times!
 
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