Types of Livery
Unless you are fortunate enough to own your own land and stables, you will, like the majority of horse owners, keep your horse in a livery yard. Finding the right yard for you and your horse can be time consuming and facilities vary enormously.
First, you need to identify the type of livery needed.
- Does your horse live out or will they require stabling?
- How often will you be able to visit and care for your horse?
- Do you need bedding and feed supplied or do you have your own sources?
- How often will you ride and for what purpose? Competitions? Leisure?
- What is your budget?
There many different types of livery with the service provided varying from yard to yard. Read more about how best to select a livery yard by clicking here
Grass
Grass livery provides a field for grazing your horse. All day to day care and additional feeding is your responsibility. The availability of shelter and the quality of grazing will be important considerations and horses should still be visited each day to check for injury or illness.
DIY
Generally, in Do It Yourself livery you are provided with stables and/or turnout only with all costs such as feeding, bedding etc, extra. It is closest to keeping your horse at home without needing to own the facilities and in terms of livery costs is one of the cheapest options. All care is your responsibility although there may be the opportunity to share the workload with other riders at the livery yard.
Assisted DIY
This can be a popular choice providing a low cost option but with the ability to have extra services, such as turnout and mucking out included or feed and bedding supplied for an additional cost. It does provide some flexibility when on occasion you need help caring for your horse although it can be difficult to find a yard which will offer this service.
Part
In addition to the basic facilities, you will also have part time care included such as turnout, feeding and mucking out in either the mornings or afternoons when it will be done by the yard staff. There may be the opportunity to add extra care for an additional cost but this should be negotiated with the yard owner. Part livery can be useful for those who find it difficult to care for a horse full time.
Full
Full livery includes all aspects of the day to day care of your horse, along with feeding and bedding costs. Vets and shoeing may be extra and exercise may or may not be included. This type of livery is ideal for the horse owner whose busy schedule does not give them the time to care for their horse on a daily basis.
Schooling/Breaking Livery
This type of livery is usually offered by business yards. As well as the day to day care of the horse, they will take on youngsters and horses to break or to bring on where the owners time or skills do not allow. There may be a weekly charge or a fixed price for the work completed.
Competition
Competition livery provides similar services to a schooling livery but with specific preparation for competitions and events. This may include lessons, clinics and help attending competitions along with clipping, grooming and plaiting.
Sales
Selling your horse can be stressful and time consuming. Sales liveries offer a valuable alternative where they take on the day to day care and all aspects of selling. This may include presenting your horse to potential owners, providing facilities for trials, advertising, and training sessions with the new owners to help them bond with the horse. Payment is often on a commission basis.
Hunting
Hunt liveries provide an excellent way for your horse to be kept fit during the hunting season. Basically, this is full livery including a fitness program for your horse and includes clipping, washing, plaiting and hunt turnout so you can collect your horse on the day and enjoy the meets.
Retirement
With horses living longer, retirement liveries are increasingly popular. Many of the riding facilities offered by livery yards are no longer required and the routine of a busy competition yard may not offer the best environment for your veteran. Retirement liveries can provide specialist care which can be helpful for those with age related conditions such as arthritius or weight loss.
Rehabilitation/Box Rest Livery
This type of livery provides pre and post operative care or recovery facilities following illness. It is ideal for those who don’t have the time or experience to care for their horse during the recovery period. Services can include, 24 hour monitoring, supervision for vet and physio visits and therapies. They may also offer specialised facilities such as hydrotherapy, ultrasound and massage and stable sized turnout pens for those on box rest.
Working
This type of livery is normally available at riding schools or equestrian centres. Your horse is used by the centre in return for care and upkeep although there may still be an additional charge. The hours and availability of the horse can vary and should be agreed locally and you should bear in mind that your horse will be used by a variety of riders with differing abilities.
Mobile Livery
This is a service offered by an individual or group to provide the day to day care needed. No facilities are provided but visits are made and services such as turnout, grooming exercise and mucking out are offered. It can provide an ideal option for those in DIY livery or alternatively during holidays or illness.
Holiday Livery
Holiday livery provides short term care for your horse when you have a holiday or special occasion or perhaps during rider injury or illness. It can provide an alternative where your usual livery facilities cannot provide the services needed. Facilities and services vary but are generally similar to full livery with exercise included as an option.
Last Updated: March 2012
