| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Emagetic |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 10:13:55 AM
We're thinking of opening our yard up 2 full liveries- only a small number of say 5 and are wondering how other people who have done the same found it? We thought about offering only full livery so that we knew the horses had been done each day and this would hopefully mean less hay/straw waste as we'd be doing them ourselves. Is there extra legislation that people have found off putting when setting up or continuing to run a small yard? What problems have people faced along the way? Any thoughts welcome:) |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Emagetic |
Posted - 08 Jan 2010 : 10:27:41 PM
Thank you for all your comments. Definitely food for thought. |
| Songbird |
Posted - 04 Jan 2010 : 7:34:19 PM
If you decide to run your yard as a livery yard you will need a completely different mindset than that for having a private yard with just your own horses . However small it will be classed as a business and will come under a business umbrella. This can affect the sale of your property if you decided to sell , capital gains etc and of course you will pay business rates on your stables . You will be allowed so many stables for private use but remember after that the stables are all rated and of course this means that you pay the rates when the stables have no customers in them so it can be a pressure to try to keep your yard full.
On a practical level your life is not your own so you must be prepared for many knocks at the door usually just when you are sitting down to your evening meal about something possibly painfully trivial or something serious that you must deal with. eg. 'knock knock!' 'Yes?' A horse is lying down making terrible noises come quickly!' I throw the dinner aside and rush into the yard . On this occasion a two year old filly was happily snoring as she lay tucked up in her bed!
I once had a full livery client knock at my door at 10pm and inform me that their beloved had 'pooed in his drinker'. This is what you will have to deal with so if you are set on it I really do wish you good luck but do remember that you will have to earn your money and learn to button your lip sometimes . Having said that if you stay in the business long enough you will learn to filter out potential unsuitable clients before they get their feet under the table and you can actually enjoy a happy yard of reasonably sane like minded folk who get on well with you , the other clients and even their horses! |
| MinHe |
Posted - 03 Jan 2010 : 6:25:22 PM
One yard we were on had the rules writ large on a board in the common tack/feed area. so no-one had any excuse for saying they 'didn't know', which I always thought an excellent idea.
One word of caution - some people can be very odd indeed about Arabs, so be very up front about telling them what you have got and if they don't like it, don't have them on your yard! We had trouble with 2 women on our last but one yard: one had a very badly behaved ex-hunter gelding who was very possessive of 'his' mare, but according to his owner, all the trouble was caused by the 'mad Arabs' (fortunately the doctor didn't believe it when her gelding put my OH in hospital - her parent had Arabs so she knew better!).
Keren |
| jaj |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 6:45:00 PM
There are definitely good and bad but to fly the flag of the good ones, my DIY yard has the loveliest people on earth on it ~ run by the kindest, most knowledgable lady you could ever hope for. We all help each other out and no-one interferes with anyone else or takes anyone's stuff etc.
I had a mini crisis over the last 24 hours and honestly I could have cried at how kind everyone at my yard have been. They all did everything they could to make me feel better and help me in practical terms, I think when you are all DIY you look to each other more when there is a problem.
I'm very lucky though I know and it has taken me a decade to find such a place!
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| BabsR |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 6:17:51 PM
Agree......no liveries on our yard...but....we do have long term "paying guests" These are Sunray Bred Horses that over the years have been purchased from us and stayed in our full time care
The oldest, who has been with us all her life since her owner bought her as a weanling, is now in her 26th year and her Daughter stayed also, 21yrs ago There are several more in their teens, entrusted to us, never any bother from Owners.
DIY liveries can be a real problem, even if with contract.....so never been tempted
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk
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| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 5:45:18 PM
I think you are right Debbie get all the terms and conditions written down and signed there are obviously good owners as well as good yards, but I have found in the past there is squabbling between owners and it sometimes gets to be like playground antics often resulting in feuding between certain people.
on a serious note a friend of mine who had a yard ( american barn style) was burnt down, horses all burnt alive ! it was believed by an Ex livery and her boyfriend who was asked to leave, no one could prove it as no one saw it happen, but it sealed the future for any liveries in my yard  |
| Debbie |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 5:09:40 PM
We have 7 DIY liveries between 5 clients and it works very well. They have a contract at the start setting out exactly what is expected of them and what they can expect from us. We offer assisted, part and full livery for short or long term and everyone takes up this offer at some time or another. We have ground rules on the yard and people know I expect them to be adhered to without being oppressive. Everyone on my yard are lovely people and all get along well. They do all have their own tack rooms which is important. We are well insured and vat registered so it is run as a business. |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 4:43:20 PM
I think the way you plan to do it is the only way it would work(,DIY is a nightmare for little reward,) but remember horses come with owners and their friends and family, so give up all hope of having any privacy in your own yard/ home. also you will be asked to do many things over and above at all times of the day or night. add to this the advice Jill has just given you and you may find its just not worth it
.I have several spare stables , but I wont entertain liveries of any kind, but will help out where I can and in some cases take the odd horse who needs a home for a while. its hardly ever the horses that are the problem /more the owners  |
| jillandlomond |
Posted - 02 Jan 2010 : 10:23:25 AM
You have to apply to the Planning Dept for a change of use to commercial. You will have to pay rates on each stable you let out to clients plus you will have to get good insurance cover.
When you add up all the cost involved, it's little wonder why legitimate yards are so expensive. |
