Most livery yards are experts at stretching a budget. Between rising feed costs, staffing pressures, and the never‑ending list of repairs, it’s no surprise that many yard owners are looking for new ways to bring in income without adding more horses (or more work!).
The challenge is finding something that fits seamlessly into the daily rhythm of a yard without demanding time, labour or constant faffing. Could the answer lie in an unexpected place?
An unexpected trend
In order to beef up the bottom line, yards are turning to dog‑wash facilities as a simple, low‑maintenance way to boost revenue.
It might sound like a small idea, but systems like the Pristine Paws dog‑wash unit are proving that sometimes the smallest additions can have the biggest impact. After all, equestrians are used to solving problems, and the UK weather brings with it the inevitable issue of a mud-caked pup (it’s never only mud, is it?!) – a dog wash unit provides a simple solution, allowing owners to wash and dry their dogs quickly and comfortably before heading home. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference to the overall yard experience, and can and a real impact on income!
A yard’s four-legged secret asset
Most yards already have dogs everywhere. Liveries’ dogs, staff dogs, visiting dogs, a steady stream of muddy paws belonging to local walkers who use nearby bridleways, even opening the unit to the public, or combining it with other business diversification such as dog field hire or private permissive walking and riding routes. All options create a steady trickle of income from people who may not even keep horses on the yard.
A self‑contained dog‑wash unit offers something yards rarely have – a service that appeals to both liveries and the wider community. With hot water on tap, built‑in shampoo and conditioner and pampering treatments, and a powerful blow‑dry function to make sure event the fluffiest pooch leaves cuddle-dry, the Pristine Paws unit turns a muddy dog into a clean one in minutes. For owners, it’s beyond convenient. For yards, it’s profitable.
It may not be the most official use, but the unit could even be used for equipment cleaning – on those blisteringly cold mornings, a stream of warm water and a controlled wash space to rinse muddy boots or equipment may be a frozen finger temptation too far…
A simple addition
What makes the Pristine Paws unit so appealing is how little it asks of the yard. No new staff, no major building work, no complicated systems. Just a user‑friendly wash station that quietly earns money while improving the yard’s facilities.
Once installed (entirely overseen by Pristine Paws, we’re pros at this), it requires almost no input from the yard, your users operate it entirely themselves. The unit is designed to be hygienic, easy to clean and robust enough for daily use, with no need for staff supervision and no disruption to the yard’s routine (because let’s be honest, anything that sticks a spanner in the well-oiled works isn’t going to be well received)!
Flexible options for the real-world
Not every yard can justify a large upfront investment, and that’s where flexible options matter. With Pristine Paws’ buy, lease or joint venture schemes, yards can choose the approach that suits their cash flow.
Buying outright turns the unit into a long‑term asset that continues to generate profit year after year. Leasing allows income to start immediately with predictable monthly rental costs. The joint venture option sees Pristine Paws supply and maintain the unit at no cost to the yard, with the profits split.
For livery yard owners looking for a practical, low‑effort way to increase revenue, a modern dog‑wash unit offers a smart, forward‑thinking solution. It enhances the yard experience, appeals to a wider audience and creates a steady income stream, without adding to the workload.
So, once you’re done keeping half a tonne of horse looking show-level immaculate, if there’s a Pristine Paws DIY Dog Wash and Dry unit on site, giving your muddy spaniel a spa moment can be an absolute walk in the park too!