Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
The Honest Cost of Horse Ownership in the UK (2026)
A realistic breakdown of the cost of horse ownership UK-wide in 2026, from livery and farrier fees to vet bills, insurance, and the unexpected.
OpenStable Journal
Blog
Advice and guides for horse owners and livery yards across the UK.
Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 7 min read
Grass Livery, DIY, Part or Full — Which Type of Livery Is Right for Your Horse?
The four main livery types suit very different horses and owners. A straight comparison to help you work out which arrangement fits your situation.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
How to Fill a Livery Yard — Without Relying on Facebook
There are better ways to fill a livery yard than Facebook group posts. How to build a sustainable enquiry pipeline that brings better-matched clients.
Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
How to Move Your Horse to a New Livery Yard
Moving yards is one of the most stressful things a horse owner does. Here's how to handle the notice, the logistics, and the first few weeks at a new yard.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 5 min read
How to Write a Livery Yard Listing That Fills Spaces
Most livery yard listings lose good enquiries before they begin. How to write one that attracts the right clients, filters out mismatches, and earns trust.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
How to Generate a Second Income Stream from Your Livery Yard
Livery yard activity slots let you monetise underused space and horses. How to structure them, price them, and manage bookings without admin overhead.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
Livery Yard Pricing: What Most Yards Get Wrong
Livery yard pricing errors are common and costly. How to set rates correctly, handle increases, and avoid the patterns that cause disputes and lost income.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
The Waiting List Advantage: Why Some Yards Never Need to Advertise
A livery yard waiting list isn't luck. Here's what separates always-full yards from ones that advertise constantly — and how to start building one.
Yard Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
Managing Livery Yard Clients: What Nobody Tells You
Livery yard client management is the part of the job most yard owners weren't prepared for. Here's what causes most conflicts — and what prevents them.
Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
Red Flags to Watch For When Visiting a Livery Yard
Know the livery yard red flags before you visit. The signs that separate a well-run yard from one that will cause you grief.
Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
How to Talk to Your Yard Owner When Something Isn't Right
Livery yard problems escalate when not raised early. Here's how to handle a difficult conversation with your yard owner without making things worse.
Horse Owners8 April 2026 · 6 min read
Winter Livery: What to Check Before the Cold Sets In
Winter horse livery is where yard quality becomes visible. Before the cold sets in, here's what to confirm with your yard — and what to check yourself.
Yard Owners27 March 2026 · 5 min read
The Livery Lottery — Why Vetting New Clients Is Harder Than It Should Be
References don't always work and instinct isn't enough. Here's why traditional client vetting fails yard owners — and what better intake looks like.
Yard Owners27 March 2026 · 5 min read
The Contract Problem No One Warns You About
Livery yard contract disputes are rising. Most stem from agreements never properly written down. Here's what's driving disputes — and how to protect yourself.
Yard Owners27 March 2026 · 4 min read
The Burnout Nobody Sees
Running a livery yard is relentless. The horses are the easy part. Here's what's quietly causing yard owner burnout — and what actually helps.
Horse Owners24 March 2026 · 6 min read
How to Find Horse Livery in the UK (And What to Actually Look For)
Finding the right livery yard takes more than a Google search. How to locate, filter, and choose the best livery yard for your horse in the UK.