Setting up a livery yard- qualifications?

[HairyCob]

Said I'd ask this on behalf of my YO........!

Currently I am their only 'livery' and I'm not really a livery, as I am a) a good friend, and b) don't pay as such- poo pick, look after their horses/dogs/cats/child/house when they are away, etc, but rarely does money change hands!

So.... as they have 30 odd acres, and my friend wants to work with horses from home, they are thinking of setting up a livery yard proper.

They intend to extend the school to make it 20x40meters, put up some more stables, put a cross country course in etc etc, and are thinking of having up to another five horses on full livery there.

My friend wants to do this properly (thank god!) and has asked me to ask you good people's advice on the following things.....

a) what courses/qualifications should she get before setting up- she has years of experience riding and looking after horses, but in common with many 'good' horsepeople, has a lack of confidence in her knowledge and ability so would like to get some further training and possibly qualifications.

b) What would your *Ideal* livery yard offer..... and how much would you expect to pay? (Bear in mind we are talking about a fairly up-market area and establishment that will only be offering full livery!)

c) anything else she needs to take into account?

Thanks for any advice/suggestions you may have folks!

[LindaAd]

Can't say much, cause our horses are at home, but from talking to other people, and reading posts on here, it seems to me that the most important quality for a livery yard owner is to be there and to be in control.

In other words, to make sure fences are mended, that owners do what they are supposed to do, that no horses are neglected, and - very important -- that tack and other equipment are secure.

It's good to hear of a new yard opening when so many are closing. Wish her good luck!

[Bertie]

I don't have a horse so am speaking probably as someone who doesn't have much experience with livery yards other than what I've experienced of friends yards etc.

Ideal's

*realiable service
*lockable tack room
*Toilet
*Good sized stables
*All year turnout
*indoor arena - British weather isn't the most realiable
*good off road hacking nearby
*knowledgeable and friendly yard owner.

Not ideal's but would be nice
*Tea/coffee making facilities (somewhere to sit possibly)
* Outdoor - inaddition to indoor.

Becoming BHS approved I think will help and allow you to charge a reasonable amount. Maybe your freind could consider getting her BHS qualifications then could offer lessons as well to her liveries.

[Mehitabel]

i'd say she needs *someone* there with bhs qualifications - first aid, and preferably a teaching qualification so liveries can have lessons. not necessarily her, but her head girl or whoever will be in charge day-to-day.

i'm not fussed about bhs approval - the general consensus among those i've spoken to is that it's not worth the paper the certificate is written on.

all year turnout (and preferably 24/7 all year) is important for me - perhaps have a field for 'winter' use that she is prepared to sacrifice each winter and let grow over the summer. not sure how the logistics of this would work, depending on how many horses she has already and how many liveries there'd be.

she'll need to decide about individual turnout, mixed/same sex groups in fields - some people have strong preferences either way, so she'll need to be certain about which she's offering before the liveries arrive.

insurance is a big one - not sure about livery yards only as we're a riding school so it comes under that, but check it out for public liability etc, employers insurance if she'll have any staff.

will add more if i think of anything.

[HairyCob]

Thanks for the comments so far guys! Keep them coming!!

The 'head girl' won't be an instructor...... I just can't see myself teaching folk to ride!!:D ;) Quite apart from which, I have no qualifications and wouldn't get them if I tried the way I ride with my dodgy hips and all!!

However, there is a local freelance instructor who would be avaliable, and reasonably priced, so I don't see that being a problem.

First aid isn't a problem, both Claudia and myself are nurses by profession, and intend to continue nursing part time- just enough to keep our registration, so would be continually updated on first aid and resucitation/life support!

I think it would be same-sex turnout, with a maximum of ten horses on the yard- our three, five liveries and occasionally a friend's two horses when they come to stay for a holiday- they would have seperate turnout to reduce risk of cross-contamination of anything!!

We have discussed year round turnout, and this could be a problem due to low-lying land, but we are considering turning one of the smaller paddocks into a 'winter turnout' paddock, possibly by putting an all weather surface on it- so there wouldn't be all year grazing, but there would be turnout for every horse for a minimum of three hours a day.

No chance of an indoor school for a good few years, if at all, but knowing the lack of decent yards in the area with schools, I think most folk round here would be happy to have a school at all!!

Owners live on sight, and I will be eventually I think, and security is already pretty good, but the tackroom would be up-graded and would have 'insurance' standard security. No one can actually get onto the yard without the code for the security gate anyway, but extra security would be put in I'm sure!

The off site hacking is excellent- ten mins on quiet country lanes then hours and hours of hill work, bridleways and open common ground. There would also be the 'farm hack' and XC course on site.

Keep your comments coming folks, it really helps to have the input of other riders and owners- we are very aware that our 'ideal' livery yard may not fit with anyone elses!!;)

[alexa]

Just a thought about what I like to be sure about with a livery place. One chooses originally because the yard offers what one consider sessential for their horse compared with what they can afford and at a distance from home that they can reasonably manage.

After that what I want is competant people on site looking after the horses. I need to know that I can count on them to do things that I would do if I was there. To know that if you ask for something to be done and they agree to do it then you KNOW it will happen, especially in the health and comfort area (rugs on or off, warmer or cooler) fly masks on or off, etc etc. If you no longer have confidence in the staff then it is no good.

regards

[Bertie]

Sounds like you've got pretty much everything covered, I don't know whether this is of any help but have you or your friend considered applying for a business grant?? It's usually only a small amount max £3000.00 but every penny helps, if you want any further info (I got a grant to help start my business nearly 2-years ago) PM or e-mail me and be happy to tell you what we did.

I really envy you - my dad wants me to get my BHS qual's and open a riding school as well as my other business, there aren't enough hours in the day for both:rolleyes: :(

[Mossy]

The HASAW cert is different from nursing BLS, and very useful. the equine first aid course is imho so much pudding