Every Sunday, Cheryl Johns – founder of LiveryList and the Yard Owner Hub- draws on her knowledge and experience of the industry to provide an insightful and thought provoking article around the topic of livery yard management.
This week…
The Reality of Livery Yards: Prices Must Reflect Costs & Standards Must Improve
It’s time we have an honest conversation about the reality of livery yards and the expectations of horse owners. The equestrian world is changing, and yet there remains a deep-rooted resistance to accepting that prices must rise to match the increasing costs and growing demands placed on yard owners.
For too long, many livery yards have been running on a financial knife-edge, absorbing rising costs and bending over backward to accommodate ever-growing expectations, often at the expense of their own time, resources, and even well-being. Meanwhile, horse owners—understandably wanting the best for their horses—continue to expect higher standards of care, better facilities, and more services. But here’s the harsh truth: you cannot have increased standards – or in some cases even maintained standards- without increased prices.
Let’s break it down. In recent years, the costs associated with running a yard have soared:
- Feed, forage, and bedding prices have jumped. Anyone who buys hay or shavings knows this. Suppliers have increased their prices due to rising fuel and production costs, and yards simply cannot afford to absorb this anymore.
- Utility bills have shot up. Water, electricity, and heating costs have surged, yet livery yards are still expected to provide year-round water, lights, and sometimes heated facilities without passing these expenses on.
- Labour is expensive. If you expect competent, experienced staff to care for your horse, their time and skills must be fairly compensated. The days of underpaid, overworked grooms working for little more than passion are coming to an end, as they rightfully should.
- Insurance, maintenance, and compliance costs have risen. Yards must adhere to increasingly strict regulations, maintain safe premises, and ensure adequate liability coverage—all of which costs money.
It’s not just the cost of running a yard that has changed—horse owners’ expectations have evolved too. Gone are the days when basic turnout, a stable, and some hay were enough. Now, many expect:
- All-year turnout, regardless of weather and ground conditions
- Top-quality forage and bedding, often provided in unlimited quantities
- Individual turnout, even when space is limited
- Daily mucking out, skipping out, and pristine stable conditions
- Access to arenas, jumps, gallops, and even solariums
- Rug changes, booting up, and personalised care at no extra charge
- 24/7 supervision, CCTV, and constant updates on their horse’s well-being
All of these services take time, labour, and money. And yet, when livery prices increase—even slightly—many owners push back, claiming it’s “unaffordable” or “unreasonable.” But if you expect a professional service, delivered at a high standard, then you need to pay a fair price for it.
The uncomfortable reality is that many livery yards are undercharging and struggling to remain financially viable. This isn’t sustainable. Prices must rise to reflect the true cost of providing the level of care and service that is now expected. Otherwise, yards will continue to close, and the options for horse owners will become even more limited.
So, what’s the solution?
- Yard owners need to charge what their services are actually worth. Stop underpricing just to keep liveries happy—it’s a business, not a charity.
- Horse owners must accept that quality care costs money. If you want high standards, you must be prepared to pay for them. If you can’t afford full livery at a premium facility, consider part-livery, DIY, or adjusting your expectations.
- We need to shift the mentality around livery pricing. Just like everything else in life, from groceries to fuel, equine services must reflect inflation and rising costs.
Instead of questioning every price increase, consider the effort and cost that goes into keeping your horse safe, well-fed, and cared for daily. A good yard isn’t just a place to keep a horse—it’s a professional service run by people who dedicate their lives to equine care. Support them, appreciate them, and most importantly, pay them fairly.
Livery prices must go up. Standards must improve. It’s time the industry stops undervaluing itself and starts operating in a way that is both sustainable and fair for everyone involved.
Realistically a major way forward is for the introduction of some form of regulation or licensing for the industry which have been highlighted yet again in a recent welfare report. The consultation outcomes for the proposed changes to Equine ID and traceability have already been held up by government changes, but they will one day come reality. The sooner bothbyard owners and horse owner face up to the reality of increased welfare expectations, business compliance and cost increases the sooner the livery industry can once again thrive.
Original content by LiveryList and the Yard Owner Hub
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