DIY, part and full horse livery explained

If you are looking for somewhere to keep your horse, you will quickly come across terms such as DIY livery, part livery and full livery.

They sound fairly straightforward, but there is one important catch: there is no standard package that every UK livery yard follows.

One yard's part livery might include mucking out, turnout, bringing in, forage and bedding. Another might only cover weekday mornings. Full livery can mean almost everything is taken care of, but it does not necessarily include riding or exercise.

So while the names are useful, always check exactly what a yard includes before comparing prices.

Quick livery comparison

These are broad planning figures rather than official UK averages. Prices vary considerably depending on location, facilities and what is included.

What is DIY livery?

DIY livery is normally the cheapest stabled livery option, but it also requires the most work from the owner.

The yard will usually provide:

• a stable
• grazing or turnout
• water
• storage
• access to agreed yard facilities

You are normally responsible for the horse's day to day care, including:

• feeding
• hay or haylage
• mucking out
• bedding
• turnout and bringing in
• rug changes
• grooming
• checking your horse
• arranging the vet, farrier and other professionals

Some yards include forage or bedding in their DIY price, while others charge separately.

How much does DIY livery cost?

A useful starting point is around £35 to £65 per week, although yards with extensive facilities or those in more expensive parts of the UK can cost more.

Remember that the basic livery price is only part of the cost. If hay, bedding and assistance are not included, these can add significantly to the monthly total.

DIY can also mean travelling to the yard once or twice every day, including weekends, Christmas and miserable February mornings when it is horizontal rain outside.

Who is DIY livery best for?

DIY works well if you:

• live reasonably close to the yard
• have a predictable routine
• are comfortable managing your horse yourself
• want control over feeding and daily care
• are prepared to arrange cover when you are away

If work regularly keeps you late or getting to the yard every day is difficult, the cheapest livery option on paper may not be the best one in practice.

What is assisted DIY?

Assisted DIY sits between DIY and part livery.

You still look after your horse yourself, but the yard provides certain services when you need them.

For example, you might pay the yard to:

• turn out in the morning
• bring in at night
• change rugs
• feed
• muck out
• prepare hay
• hold your horse for the farrier or vet

Some yards sell these services individually. Others offer an assisted DIY package that includes a set number of jobs each week.

This can be a good middle ground if you enjoy doing most of the care yourself but need help around work, holidays or occasional busy days.

What is part livery?

Part livery means care is shared between you and the yard.

Exactly how it is divided depends on the yard.

A common arrangement might be for yard staff to:

• feed in the morning
• turn out
• muck out
• provide hay or haylage
• provide bedding
• bring in

You might then visit later to ride, groom, prepare feeds or complete evening jobs.

Another yard might provide full care Monday to Friday, with the owner taking over at weekends.

This is why the words "part livery" alone do not tell you very much.

How much does part livery cost?

Around £100 to £170 per week is a reasonable planning range for many UK yards, but the price depends heavily on what is included.

Before comparing two yards, check whether the price covers:

• forage
• bedding
• hard feed
• turnout
• bringing in
• rug changes
• weekend care
• bank holidays
• use of facilities

A cheaper package can quickly become more expensive once regular extras are added.

Who is part livery best for?

Part livery often suits owners who want to remain involved in their horse's care but cannot reliably do every job every day.

It can work particularly well if you work full time and want the yard to cover mornings while you visit in the evening.

What is full livery?

With full livery, the yard takes responsibility for most of the horse's routine daily care.

A typical package may include:

• feeding
• forage
• bedding
• mucking out
• turnout
• bringing in
• rug changes
• water
• routine daily checks
• use of yard facilities

Some yards also include grooming, hoof picking, holding for professional visits or a late night check.

The important word there is may.

Does full livery include riding?

Not necessarily.

Full livery often means full care, rather than full care and exercise.

Regular riding, lunging, horse walker sessions or schooling may be charged separately.

Some yards specifically offer full livery with exercise, schooling livery or competition livery where exercise forms part of the package.

If you need your horse ridden while you are working, do not assume normal full livery includes it.

How much does full livery cost?

For ordinary full care, around £135 to £220+ per week is a useful starting point.

Packages including regular exercise or schooling can easily reach £200 to £300+ per week.

Location makes a big difference. A basic rural yard and a large competition yard with indoor arenas, a horse walker and extensive facilities are not really selling the same service, even if both call it full livery.

What should you ask before choosing a livery yard?

Do not choose a yard based on the package name alone.

Ask exactly what your weekly or monthly payment includes.

Useful questions include:

• Is hay or haylage included?
• Is bedding included?
• Is hard feed included?
• Is turnout available all year?
• Is turnout individual or in groups?
• Are turnout and bringing in included?
• Are rug changes included?
• What happens at weekends and on bank holidays?
• What happens if the fields are closed during winter?
• Is use of the arena included?
• Does the yard charge for holding horses for the vet or farrier?
• What happens if my horse needs medication?
• What services cost extra?
• What is the notice period if I want to leave?

Also have a proper look around the yard. Safe fencing, clean water, sensible turnout, secure storage, well maintained stables and clear emergency arrangements matter far more than an impressive list of facilities.

Get the agreement in writing

A good livery agreement should clearly state:

• which services are included
• which jobs remain your responsibility
• the livery fee
• additional charges
• payment dates
• turnout arrangements
• yard rules
• notice periods
• emergency contact arrangements

This avoids the classic problem where the owner and yard both have completely different ideas of what "full livery" was supposed to include.

For commercial livery supplied to consumers, UK consumer law also requires services to be provided with reasonable care and skill.

Do not forget the real monthly cost

When comparing yards, work out the total cost, not just the headline livery fee.

Include anything you will regularly need to pay for on top:

Livery + forage + bedding + feed + yard services + farrier + vet + dentistry + insurance + lessons + travel

There is also an easy trap when comparing weekly and monthly prices.

A £150 weekly livery bill is not £600 per month.

Over a year:

£150 × 52 ÷ 12 = £650 per average month

That difference adds up.

So which livery should you choose?

There is no single best type of livery.

Choose DIY if you have the time, want control over your horse's routine and are happy doing the work yourself.

Choose assisted DIY if you want that same control but need occasional help.

Choose part livery if you want to stay involved but need the yard to take care of regular daily jobs.

Choose full livery if you need the yard to handle most day to day care.

Most importantly, choose the yard, not just the package.

A well run DIY yard that suits your horse and your routine is far better than an expensive full livery yard that does not.