Youngstock Livery- expectations for the horse owners?!

rara007

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I may have found a yearling (this year, June foal) with breeding that’s rare in the UK but very like my horse who has an outstanding temperament and movement.
If I was to get the lad I’d be looking at youngstock livery certainly for the initial 6months and quite possibly through to either 3 or 4yo depending on how the retired portion of my herd do (1x 35yo, 2x 27yo) and how he matures. The stud the yearling is on is 3hr from me but appears to offer a good youngstock livery with basic handling/farrier holding etc included and the option for extra groundwork as requested/needed too. Obviously with that kind of distance visits will be limited- but then how often is acceptable/accepted to visit youngstock liveries? Most of the handling will be on routine so I doubt they want visitors randomly disturbing the herd. How does it work at most studs with similar set ups- do you book in when you want to visit?!
There are of course yards closer to home but none within 45min with the right set up I’d want.
 
I considered leaving mine at the stud, for at least the first winter. They were very much a working farm and stud and made it clear they weren’t a livery yard. They tended to get everything in every couple of weekends on rotation (obv multiple daily checks but out on massive moorlands type grazing some way away from the steading) so that would have guided when visits could be.

I ended up bringing him home soon after weaning in the end, I couldn’t bear to have such a cute baby so far away. Luckily there were a few youngsters at my yard so he integrated well.
 
It can vary a bit.

Before I bought mine to my land she was on a commercial Youngstock livery. It was a package that included all the basics (no bespoke handling/training) but day to day stuff, feet, FEC, wormers etc. They would message periodically/if there was an issue but there was no need to visit (in theory). They were happy for me to visit, I’d give them the heads up if I was heading over and made sure it wasn’t at daft hours!

So my expectations are really it’s full livery.

But there are also more agricultural set ups where not much is done!

I’ve had 2 Youngstock liveries with me on a full livery type basis for last 18 months. I reckon their owner has been over maybe 10 times in that period.
 
My two are on youngstock livery and hour and 45 mins away, at the stud where they were born. They live out, minimal handling just trims, worming etc I only see them when I'm over there for a camp or clinic and then it's just a wander round the paddocks on my own and view from a distance. They would get in touch if there were any problems, but I've been very lucky so far. They'll move paddocks switch herds without me knowing. I'm happy with that as I've known them for 10 years now and fully trust the process. Others may want different things. They've both had a week or two basic handling/haltering at weaning which was an extra cost and then I also paid more for Aspens 12 weeks intro to tack and being sat on last year. When he comes in to be backed that will be full training livery by my choice there's no set number of weeks or months on that, it will take what it takes.
 
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