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…
What is the Future of Ad-Lib Forage & Bedding in Livery Yards?
The rising costs of running a livery yard have been a hot topic for some time now, but with ongoing increases in forage, bedding, and general running expenses, it’s becoming clearer than ever that the traditional “ad-lib” approach to hay, haylage, and bedding simply isn’t sustainable for many yards.
For years, many livery packages have included ad-lib forage and bedding as part of the deal, allowing owners to take what they need without restriction. The intention has always been to ensure horses have what they require for their welfare and comfort. However, the reality is that in many cases, “ad-lib” ends up meaning excessive waste, with uneaten hay trampled into the bedding and perfectly good shavings or straw being thrown on the muck heap unnecessarily.
While livery clients understandably want their horses well cared for, it’s easy to overlook just how much these costs have increased. The price of forage alone has soared due to weather conditions affecting supply, transport costs, and general inflation. Bedding prices have followed suit. For a livery yard owner, this makes it incredibly difficult to predict costs over a set period, especially when wasteful use is factored in. When clients are taking more than they actually need, or not considering how much is being wasted, it becomes unsustainable for the yard to continue offering these inclusions without significant price increases.
On top of this, the general costs for running a yard —such as maintenance, insurance, staffing, and facility upkeep—are rising too. These all contribute to an overall increase in livery pricing, yet the unpredictable nature of ad-lib supplies makes it even harder to keep pricing fair and viable for both the yard owner and the clients.
There are a few key approaches that yard owners may need to consider in order to ensure their business remains financially stable while still providing good care for the horses:
- Introducing Fair Usage Policies – Setting a reasonable daily or weekly allowance for hay, haylage, and bedding based on the horse’s size, workload, and condition. This ensures horses are well cared for but prevents excessive waste. Some yards already weigh out daily rations or allocate specific amounts to ensure fairness.
- Removing Forage & Bedding from Inclusive Packages – Instead of offering these on an unlimited basis, some yards are now charging separately for what is actually used. This puts the responsibility back on owners to manage their usage more efficiently, encouraging them to minimize waste.
- Monitoring & Educating Clients – Many clients may not realise how much they are using or wasting. Yards could implement systems to track use, encourage better forage management (e.g., using slow feeders or haynets to reduce waste), and educate clients on best practices for reducing unnecessary disposal of bedding.
- Adjusting Prices to Reflect True Costs – If ad-lib forage and bedding are to remain part of the livery package, then the pricing needs to reflect the actual cost, including a buffer for waste. While this may make packages more expensive, it ensures sustainability in the long run.
- Encouraging More Efficient Bedding & Forage Practices – Options such as rubber matting to reduce bedding use, alternative forage solutions (like soaked hay to avoid waste), or yard rules regarding how hay and bedding should be managed can make a significant difference.
At the heart of all of this is the welfare of the horses. No one wants to see horses going without, and ensuring they have enough forage and a comfortable bed is always the priority. However, there has to be a balance between meeting these needs and ensuring the yard can continue to operate without running at a loss.
Livery clients should be aware that these changes are not about cutting corners but rather about making sure the yard can continue to offer a high standard of care without unnecessary financial strain. In an ideal world, ad-lib systems could continue indefinitely, but with the reality of rising costs and waste, the industry must adapt.
Original content by LiveryList and the Yard Owner Hub
If you’re looking for guidance and support in any aspect of running your yard, then head over to the Yard Owner Hub where you can find templates, resources and industry information on all aspects to help make your life easier
You can also join our friendly and supportive FB group especially for supporting yard owners https://m.facebook.com/groups/lyodiscussions