Full and part livery yard

Horse owners with busy jobs or no land, who pay for full or part livery so their horse is cared for every day.

Monthly livery fees per horse, set higher for full care than for part care. Extra income can come from hay and bedding, schooling use, clipping or rugging services.

• Strong horse care and welfare knowledge
• Managing staff or helpers and daily routines
• Budgeting, customer service and handling owner disputes

• Planning permission for stables, arenas and change of use, check with your local council
• Public liability, care, custody and control, buildings and employer's liability insurance if you hire help
• Fire safety, security and out-of-hours emergency cover for horses
• A riding school licence is generally needed only if you hire out horses or run lessons, check with your council
• Business rates, waste and manure rules, and the rules in any lease or tenancy
• Long hours, seven days a week, and costs for repairs, feed and forage that rise and fall

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £100,000, depending on your site, the number of stables and whether you add an arena or secure tack rooms. Repairs, feed and forage costs can rise and fall.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on how many horses you board and the level of care you provide. Expect long hours, often seven days a week.

Check planning permission for stables, arenas and change of use with your council, insurance including employer's liability if you hire help, fire safety and out-of-hours emergency cover, business rates, waste rules, and whether you need a riding school licence if you run lessons.