West Country Horses / Tools

Viewing a livery yard: what to ask

Pick what matters to you and print the questions or save them as a PDF to take on your visit. Ask for the answers in writing if the yard will give them.

1. Price and what it covers

   • What exactly is included in the price, and what is charged as an extra?
   • Is hay or haylage included, and is there a limit on how much?
   • Is bedding included? Which kinds can I use?
   • How much notice do you need, and how much notice will you give if prices change?
   • Is there a written livery agreement I can read before I decide?
   • Who is responsible for my horse if something happens when I'm not there?

2. Turnout and grazing

   • How many hours a day is turnout in summer, and in winter?
   • Is turnout really year-round, or are fields shut when they're wet? For how long last winter?
   • Individual or group turnout? How are new horses introduced?
   • Is there a sacrifice paddock or hard standing for wet spells?
   • Who checks the fencing and water, and how often?
   • How is grass managed for horses prone to laminitis?

3. Day-to-day care

   • Who is on site, and when? Does anyone live on site?
   • Who checks my horse each day, and at what times?
   • Is there a rota for DIY liveries, and how does it work?
   • What happens in an emergency at night? Who do you call first?
   • Do you have a yard vet, or can I use my own?
   • Are there rules about worming, vaccinations or strangles testing for new arrivals?

4. Riding and facilities

   • Is there an arena? Is it floodlit, and when can I book it?
   • Can I have lessons here, or bring my own instructor?
   • Where can I hack off-road from the yard without a long road stretch?
   • Is there a horse walker, wash box or solarium, and is it extra?
   • Can I park a trailer or lorry on site, and is there a charge?

5. Competing

   • Do other liveries compete? Is there help getting to shows?
   • Can I leave early or come back late on show days?
   • Is there somewhere secure to store tack and show kit?

6. Rules and atmosphere

   • What time does the yard open and close? Is there a curfew?
   • Can I bring dogs, children or visitors?
   • How many liveries are there, and how long have most been here?
   • Can I talk to a current livery before I decide?

7. Wet winters and flooding

   • Have the fields or the yard flooded? What happened to the horses?
   • Is there higher ground or a plan to move horses if the river rises?
   • How deep does the gateway mud get, and is anything done about it?

Print or save as PDFSee the 22 livery yards we've checked