DIY livery: what it really involves

The daily routine on DIY livery, the costs on top of rent, and how liveries share the work.

DIY livery is the cheapest way to keep a stabled horse, and the most work. Before you sign up, it's worth walking through a winter week.

The daily routine

In winter a stabled horse on DIY needs, at minimum, a morning visit (feed, hay, check, turn out or muck out) and an evening visit (bring in, rug, feed, hay, skip out). In summer, with horses living out, it can be one check a day. Many DIY yards have rotas or informal swaps between liveries so nobody has to go up twice every single day.

What's yours to provide

Usually: hay or haylage, bedding, feed, and all your own tools. Some yards insist you buy hay and bedding from them, which is convenient but can cost more. Ask.

Extras

Most DIY yards offer services for a fee when you can't get there: turning out, bringing in, a rug change, a full day's care. These add up quickly if you rely on them: an "assisted DIY" package can work out cheaper.

Who it suits

People who live close to the yard (ten minutes makes a big difference over a winter), have some flexibility in their working day, and enjoy the routine. If that's not you, look at part livery.