Livery yards have been around for centuries, but the types of services on offer continue to evolve. Today, a huge range of different livery packages are available, providing accommodation and care for equines of all types.
This has developed partly because equine professionals – from DIY yards and professional riders to stud farms – need to diversify their businesses to maintain a healthy revenue stream in the face of rising costs, whilst also meeting the demands of a new generation of horse owners.
Here, we look at the most common types of livery, what they typically include and how the different options can work for horse owners.
1. DIY Livery
DIY, or ‘Do-It-Yourself’ livery, is generally considered the most basic type of livery.
It involves renting either a stable and grazing or a 24/7 turnout space, with the horse owner taking full responsibility for all day-to-day care.
This is one of the cheapest livery options available. It can range from a very basic arrangement offering just stabling and grazing to a large livery yard with extensive facilities, such as a manège or horse walker.
More often than not, additional care services are unavailable, meaning the horse owner is responsible for arranging the management of their horse whenever they are absent.
DIY is the most cost-effective, but also the most labour-intensive, livery package. It is popular with owners who want to keep costs down and enjoy undertaking all the general horse care themselves.
2. Assisted DIY / Assisted Livery
Assisted livery is usually a DIY arrangement with additional help available when needed.
Assistance can normally be requested on an ad hoc basis, with services provided either by the yard or by a third party working on its behalf.
Services may include:
- Regular morning turnout.
- Bringing horses in during the evenings.
- Holiday cover, providing full care for longer periods when owners are away.
This can be a cost-effective way of accessing help when necessary, on a pay-as-you-go basis.
3. Part Livery
Part livery is ideal for horse owners who want to undertake some of their horse’s care themselves but need regular assistance during the working week.
Usually, part livery includes a stable and grazing, together with five days a week of assistance with the day-to-day care of the horse.
This may include:
- Mucking out.
- Turning out and bringing in.
- Providing hay, feed and water.
It is unusual for forage, bedding or feed to be included in the package price, and the level of service is often limited to basic care in the owner’s absence.
4. Full Livery
Full livery is the most comprehensive type of livery package available. It covers all aspects of caring for the horse, seven days a week.
This means that, in many cases, the only job for the horse owner is to turn up and ride!
The inclusions can vary between yards. Many include forage, feed and bedding, to an extent, within their package prices.
Generally, full livery will also include more services, as the yard is responsible for the horse’s day-to-day care. This may include:
- Grooming.
- Clipping.
- Routine equine care.
- Other services that mean the owner does not need to manage the horse’s daily care themselves.
Most full livery yards also offer extensive facilities. Some may even provide Full Ridden Livery, where the horse is exercised regularly as part of the package.
5. Competition, Training and Schooling Livery
These types of livery are usually offered on a full livery basis and are generally found at yards where the owner or staff have considerable experience in schooling, training and competing horses.
Services are often provided by professional riders who may cover several different disciplines.
Alternatively, some yards offer specific schooling packages for horses with behavioural issues, or for the backing and producing of young horses.
Rather than simply exercising the horse, these packages will often include specific training plans.
Competition livery may also include:
- Transport to and from competitions.
- Competition entry fees.
- A professional rider competing the horse in selected classes.
6. Rehabilitation Livery
Rehabilitation livery is designed for horses and ponies recovering from illness or injury, requiring specific treatment to alleviate pain and discomfort, or undergoing investigations into veterinary issues.
These arrangements are often offered on a full livery basis at specialist yards equipped with appropriate facilities. These may include:
- Treadmills.
- Hydrotherapy pools.
- Cryogenic treatment pods.
- Access to relevant equine professionals.
Some of these yards have veterinary nurses or equine therapists based on site.
The aim is to provide specialist treatment and care suited to the horse’s individual condition, usually on a short-term basis.
7. Working Livery
Working livery is usually found at riding schools, equestrian centres or educational establishments that offer horses for hire or use by their students.
It is often provided on a full livery basis, with the horse or pony being used by the centre’s riding clients for a set number of days or hours each week. The owner can then access their horse for personal use outside these agreed periods.
As the horse is used by the centre, the owner will often benefit from a reduced livery rate. Working livery is also commonly offered at yards with extensive facilities.
This can be an ideal solution for owners who would like their horse to receive more exercise than they can provide themselves, or who need a more affordable way to keep a horse when they cannot provide daily care.
However, working livery is commonly restricted to older, more sensible horses, such as established schoolmasters.
8. Paddock Paradise, Track and Natural Livery
This type of livery offers more natural, horse-centric living arrangements.
It often involves horses living out 24/7, typically on grass-free tracks that encourage natural herd life, foraging and movement.
This can be particularly suitable for youngstock, older horses or those who may suffer from certain ailments, such as laminitis.
There are various approaches to this type of livery, depending on the yard’s set-up and ethos. These may include:
- Holistic approaches to care and training.
- Barefoot living.
- Communal barns.
- Feeding stations.
Whilst Equicentral and Paddock Paradise relate to specific principles of equine care, there are various systems available based on different approaches. These can vary considerably from one yard to another.
9. Sales Livery
Sales livery is for owners looking to have their horse produced and sold to a third party.
This is often offered on a full livery basis, with the yard taking responsibility for marketing the horse, arranging viewings and negotiating the sale.
Sales livery is normally offered for a fixed period and will generally include a commission payment to the yard once a successful sale has been made, in addition to the usual livery fees.
10. Stud Livery
Stud livery is usually associated with stud farms or specialist livery yards equipped to provide accommodation and care for stallions, youngstock, foals and broodmares.
These establishments may also offer breeding services, such as natural coverings or artificial insemination (AI) if they have a stallion on site, as well as foaling down for pregnant mares.
The yard and its staff will usually have considerable experience in breeding and handling these types of horses.
11. Other Types of Livery
Over recent years, the terminology used to describe livery packages has evolved, helping yards market their services to the right clients.
A number of additional package types have developed, including:
Tailored Livery
A completely bespoke package designed around the individual owner and their horse, with a wide range of possible inclusions and care arrangements.
Luxury Livery
A full livery service offered at a high-quality yard, with outstanding facilities and standards of care.
Non-Ridden Livery
A tailored service for horses that do not require exercise, such as retired horses or those convalescing.
Pony Livery
Livery dedicated to smaller equines and child clients. This is often found at riding schools and equestrian centres where the education of young riders forms part of the package.
Holiday Livery
The term ‘holiday livery’ can have two different meanings:
- An owner who normally keeps their horse at home sends it to a livery yard to be cared for whilst they are away. This is rather like kennels, but for horses.
- A yard or holiday destination offers accommodation for people who want to take their horses away with them, with or without accommodation for the owners.
Choosing the Right Livery Package
The above provides a basic overview of the different types of livery packages available.
The services, provisions and facilities offered by livery yards can vary hugely, even when packages appear to be similar. The terminology used to describe these packages can also differ between yards.
We haven’t included estimated prices, as there are so many variables to consider. The cost of what appears to be the same livery package can vary considerably depending on location, facilities and what is included.
Any horse owner looking for livery should therefore consider the whole picture when choosing a yard, rather than basing their decision purely on price or what a yard appears to offer in terms of facilities and services.
This is essential if you want to make sure you move your horse to the best place for both of you.
What Should You Expect From a Livery Yard?
Regardless of the type of livery offered, all yards should:
- Provide a high standard of care and equine welfare.
- Maintain their facilities and grazing to an appropriate standard.
- Have suitable client administration in place, including livery contracts.
- Be appropriately insured for the services they provide.
It is important to fully understand what is included in your livery package, what the yard owner is responsible for providing and what is expected of you as the horse owner.
The Yard Owner Hub has a dedicated section to help horse owners find a new yard and understand the questions they should ask before making a decision.