Finding the right livery yard is one of the biggest decisions you make for your horse’s daily wellbeing. EquiMarket lists livery yards and stables across Europe, from full-service competition yards to DIY yards and retirement grazing, so you can compare facilities, services and prices in one place.
Types of livery
Full livery: the yard handles daily care, including feeding, turnout, mucking out and often exercise.
Part livery: the yard does some of the daily care, and you do the rest.
DIY livery: you rent a stable and grazing and look after your horse yourself.
Grass livery: your horse lives out, with grazing and usually a field shelter.
Retirement livery: long-term care for older horses that no longer work.
Competition and training livery: care and schooling at a yard run by professional riders or trainers.
What each type includes varies from yard to yard and from country to country. Always ask for a written list of what is and is not included in the price.
What to check on a visit
Turnout. How much grazing is there, how many horses share it, and is there turnout all year?
Stables. Look at the size of the boxes, the bedding, the ventilation and the drainage.
Facilities. Is there an arena, and is it lit and usable in winter? Ask about a horse walker, wash area, tack room and hacking routes.
Care and staff. Who is on site, and when? Who checks the horses at night? What happens in an emergency?
Health rules. Ask about vaccination and worming requirements for horses on the yard, and how new arrivals are managed.
The atmosphere. Talk to other liveries if you can. A well-run yard is usually a calm, friendly one.
Contracts and costs
Get a written livery agreement. It should cover the fees, what is included, notice periods, insurance, and what happens if fees go unpaid. Ask how prices are reviewed and which extras cost more, such as rugging, holding for the farrier or extra hay.
Moving your horse to a new country
If your horse moves to a yard in another EU country, it needs an animal health certificate and its passport. If it stays on the yard for 30 days or more, the yard operator must notify the national database. Our EU transport guide explains the steps.
Browse livery yards
Filter by country, type of livery, facilities and price. Yard owners: list your yard on EquiMarket to reach horse owners across Europe.