03/08/2025
𝚂𝚄𝙽𝙳𝙰𝚈 𝙾𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙸𝙾𝙽 𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚃: The Side of Being a Yard Manager or Owner That Just Gets Overlooked
Behind the smooth-running routine of any successful yard is a livery yard owner juggling a huge list of responsibilities — often 24/7, 365 days a year.
It’s not just turning out horses, topping up hay nets and sweeping the yard.
It’s not just managing enquiries, answering messages, or grading the arena.
They don’t just run a yard; they run a sanctuary. And not just for the horses on the yard... often for the clients too. And often, they do it with little thanks, little rest, and a heavy burden physically and financially that most people never see.
People see the neat stables and the happy horses in the paddocks.
They don’t see the 6am starts followed by late-night messages from livery clients.
They don’t see the panic when a hay bill comes in, or the quiet dread of another unexpected price rise that has to be passed on.
They don’t see the owner mucking out alone on Christmas morning, or on colic watch in the middle of the night.
They don’t see the guilt of trying to run a business while caring for animals like family, and trying to make sure its affordable for their owners.
They don’t see the heartbreak of telling someone they need to move on, or that they've found their horse dead in the stable.
They don’t see the love that goes into every rug change, every feed scoop, every “just popping out to check them again”.
They often do all this while navigating the complexities of employment law, insurance, compliance, welfare scrutiny and ever-rising costs.
They carry the responsibility for the safety, welfare, and happiness of every horse on their yard.
Because being a livery yard owner isn’t just a job. It’s a life.
It’s responsibility, love, pressure, and passion — all rolled into a role that never really ends.
Yes, there’s a livery fee. But it can never reflect the true cost — financially, emotionally, physically, or mentally — of what it takes to give other people peace of mind and horses a home.
Holidays are rare. Sick days don’t exist. And yet, they still turn up — for the horses, for the clients, for the love of it all.
So here’s to the livery yard owners and managers.
The ones who sit with sick horses in silence.
The ones who worry more about everyone else’s horses than their own.
The ones who are always last to leave and the first to show up.
The ones doing the quiet, thankless, invisible work that keeps our industry alive.
The ones who, more often than not, are propping up the costs for the keep of these horses.
Even when it’s not glamorous, not seen, not rewarded — it’s invaluable. And perhaps some of us just don't really realise how much.
This is the part of equestrian life people don’t always talk about.
But it deserves to be heard.
At a time when the future of small equestrian businesses is more uncertain than ever — with rising overheads, tighter regulations, and a growing need for professionalism — it's vital we remember the people behind the gates.
So if your yard owner tells you prices need to increase — take a moment to consider why. It’s rarely about profit, and far more often about survival, sustainability, and continuing to offer the care your horse deserves.
And if you're the aforementioned Yard Owner or Manager, know that you’re not alone. And you are deeply appreciated. 🐴
If you're a yard owner needing support then don't forget you can get in touch with Riders Minds for support.
And if you're a yard owner needing help, support or guidance for the practical or administrative management of your yard, the Yard Owner Hub provides everyhting you could need, free, accessible and reputably sourced
www.yardownerhub.co.uk
Original content by Cheryl Johns of LiveryList and the Yard Owner Hub
