Mumsnet Talk

I posted a while ago about getting my own horse, well yesterday I enquired about a horse I saw that I liked and it all looks like it could be promising. Now I need to learn what I need to know! I am going to check out some liveries this next week or so, could you please tell me the vital questions I need to ask and the things I need to look out for when I go to view. Also how much would I be looking at on a DIY basis? Just so in don't get ripped off.

Thanks in advance

I'd be looking at whether you can do what you most want to do easily - so if it's hacking are the bridleways good, plenty of them, quiet roads etc., if jumping is there a decent sized all weather/indoor school with reliable lighting, are you allowed to jump! Cant think what else you might want to do but there is more than that?

Cost obviously important, what is included, can you/must you buy hay/bedding from them if not is there adequate storage, locked/alarmed tack room (with kettle), all year turn out? Is everyone (field mates) wormed and vaccinated? Is assistance available when you are unwell or on holiday? Who is responsible for what - poo picking, maintenance etc

Mine live out 24/7 which is £60 a month, stable with hay and bedding is £125 month but this is cheapest (and nicest) place have ever come across. I don't think I'd pay more than about £35 or £40 a week for a stable including bedding and hay unless it came with a heated rug rack and a guarantee to never get told off for anything?

Thanks, I am looking at places within 5 mins of home so can get there in all weathers. At the moment it will be hacking only as very novice again as last owned 20 years ago and worked on the yard where the horse was.

I noted you are in Suffolk, so am I so price is a good guide. Thank you. I already have cover lined up for holiday and sickness so that isn't really an issue. I am worried about yard politics but am sure I can ignore everybody!

oh come to my yard! Are you within 5 minutes of Debenham?

(I have got three pigs in my stable at the moment but it was some sort of emergency)

Sadly I am about 40mins from you! I am in Sudbury! Could be a long walk in bad weather!!! Might be tapping you for advice however, as I don't have a clue!

I'm good in one of those impulsively dyeing the pony pink type situations, don't know how often that happens to other people. There are some nice places near Lavenham but is that a bit far? Semer?

I think a yard that has a contract in place is always a good sign. You might also want to ask if there is anyone you can have lessons with and whether it would be OK to have lessons with someone you chose.

Just posting because I grew up in Sudbury so this caught my attention, afraid I can't be much help though...my mum's already sold our stables...there's a nice place at Groton with a XC course, which would be nice for hacking around. Be careful about your hacking requirements when choosing somewhere, my Mum says it's a nightmare around that way now as the 'footpath' brigade are trying to block people from riding horses in a lot of areas and in many places proper bridlepaths are few and far between.

I am west suffolk and I have been at 3 yards in the last 6 years (sounds a lot when I put it like that!) Due to changing circumstances (having dcs)

At all of those livery has included stable and private turnout and cost 25-30 a week. Not including hay/straw, but with room to store those and feed/rugs etc. All have had an outdoor school, one had ok hacking, one had really crap hacking and the current one has quite good hacking.

At all of the yards the horses have their breakfast given to them (i leave it outside their stables) and the yard I am at now is definitely the best one, it is small (6 horses) and everyone gets on and helps each other out.

Good luck

Thank you everybody. I will have to look into bridle wys as this is a consideration.

I think you should just move your entire self to Debenham, we have miles of bridleways and a race track and Boundary Farm and Topthorn. And me!

Wish I could 'like' your post mitchy

Well that's an offer I can't really refuse can I Mitchy! Now just a small matter of telling dh and ds (actually debenham is closer to ds school) and selling house and buying a new one! Not much really!!!!!!!!!

Well I have just found a house that I could put up with, slap bang on the high street, would that be close enough for you Mitchy? grin

OS maps or www.streetmap.co,uk will show you bridleways in any specific area. Remember you can't ride on footpaths and a bridleway is no good if you need to half a mile on an A road to get to it!!