THE YARD CHAT.

Useful guides, stories and conversations about the things that matter to horse people.

articles & stories

LATEST READS

Good reads for the time between doing your horse and thinking about your horse.

Your Horse’s Secret Social Life

Field best friends, awkward stable neighbours and a pony called Kevin. Your horse has a social life you’re only partly involved in.

Getting Back into Horse Riding as an Adult

You used to jump. Now someone is adjusting your stirrups. Getting back into horse riding as an adult can mean rusty confidence, and browsing horses for sale before you’ve bought new boots.

What Your Favourite Yard Job Says About You

You can tell a lot about someone by their favourite yard job. A spotless stable, twenty minutes away from everyone, or full control of the feed room. None of this is scientific. Most of it feels suspiciously accurate.

YARD LIFE • FEATURED

When Horse Ownership Starts to Feel Like Another Job

You love your horse, but fitting everything in can leave little time to enjoy them. From sharing yard jobs to finding a riding routine that suits real life, a few small changes can make room for more of the good bits.

GUIDES • ESSENTIAL

A Guide to Moving Yards

From giving notice and planning the move to helping your horse settle in, here’s how to make changing yards feel a little less daunting.

AROUND THE YARDS

What Your Favourite Yard Job Says About You

ARTICLE • THE HORSE WORLD

Finding a Horse Sharer Is a Lot Like Dating

Finding a horse sharer feels suspiciously like dating. Here’s a look at the search for the right match, with a few practical tips to help you find someone who suits your horse and actually turns up on a rainy Tuesday.

Grey horse in an outdoor arena with rider

RESOURCES & HANDBOOKS

LATEST GUIDES

Navigating livery options, yard visits, and the logistics of moving doesn't have to be overwhelming.

How Much Does DIY Livery Really Cost?

The stable fee is only the starting point. From hay and bedding to farrier visits and holiday cover, explore what DIY livery really costs and use our budgeting template to work out your monthly spend.

A Guide to Moving Livery Yards

From giving notice and planning the move to helping your horse settle in, here’s how to make changing yards feel a little less daunting.

The Complete Guide to Choosing a Livery Yard

From turnout and facilities to costs, contracts and yard culture, here’s what to look for, what to ask and what to think about before choosing a livery yard for you and your horse.

two bay horses grooming each other in a field

FEATURED EDITORIAL

Your Horse's Secret Social Life

Field best friends, awkward stable neighbours and a pony called Kevin. Your horse has a social life you’re only partly involved in.

Read Full Article

// WE ASKED THE YARD

What's the ultimate 'green flag' when viewing a livery yard?

We put this question to the YardBoard social community. Across hundreds of replies from horse owners and yard managers alike, these three crucial green flags kept coming up.

"An owner or manager who actually lives on site and does late-night checks. You simply cannot buy the total peace of mind that comes with knowing eyes are on your horse at midnight."

"Ad-lib, high-quality forage included in the base rate. If a yard is stingy with hay or counts every slice, they're usually stingy with paddock rotation and general horse care too."

"A clear, written contract on day one. It means the manager values professional standards, expectations on both sides are completely clear, and there is zero drama later."