|
Before you put up the 'Livery available'
sign or place your first advertisement, take a very objective look at
your facilities. They should be neat and well maintained, and
project an image that will attract and keep clients.
Safety is paramount. A cluttered
yard with wheelbarrows and other hazards left lying qround, trailing
wire in fences, broken hinges on stable doors all look bad - more
important, they demonstrate negligence.
You must have good access, parking and
turning areas for clients, and for deliveries (large lorries?), and
other service providers (vet, farrier).
You need: designated areas for
:
-
clients to ride - indoor arena,
outdoor manège, showjumping paddock.
-
Clients to groom or wash down their
horses.
-
Isolation areas for incoming or ill
horses.
The layout of your yard and fields will
effect safety and may provide labour saving.
-
Your entrance should be visible and
well signed.
-
You need equipment for handling
feed, bedding and removing manure. All these tools should
have a proper storage area and be put away after use.
-
Aisles and paths
should be well surfaced and be kept clear of clutter.
-
Stables should be
sturdy, big enough for the animals that will occupy them (min. 10
ft by 10ft for ponies, 12 ft by 12 ft for horses), well lit and
ventilated.
-
There must be
sufficient clean, secure storage for clients' tack.
-
Turnout areas must be well fenced
with good gates! Water troughs and feeders in fields require
careful attention - several horses together will fight over feed
and a water trough in a corner may lead to a bully 'cornering'
another horse.
-
Consider manure handling, fire
prevention and control, the effects of prolonged heavy snow or
rain.
|
