What does full livery include?

Full livery means the yard does everything for your horse: feeding, mucking out, turnout in and out, grooming, rugging, and exercising as required. The owner pays for the convenience and turns up to ride. Full livery in the UK typically costs between £150 and £350 per week depending on region and yard standard.

DIY livery means you rent a stable and grazing from the yard but do all the daily care yourself: feeding, mucking out, turnout, exercise. The yard provides the facilities; you provide the time. DIY livery in the UK typically costs between £30 and £80 per week for a stable plus grazing.

What is the difference between part livery and full livery?

Part livery is a halfway service: the yard handles weekday care while the owner does some of the daily routine themselves, often weekends. Full livery includes everything every day. Part livery costs less than full and tends to land between £100 and £200 per week.

Is grass livery cheaper than DIY?

Yes. Grass livery (24-hour turnout with no stable) is the most economical option, typically £15 to £40 per week, but it suits hardier breeds and types that thrive living out year-round. It is not appropriate for every horse, particularly thin-skinned types or those with limb problems.

What is assisted DIY livery?

Assisted DIY (sometimes called working livery for staff or part-DIY) means the yard helps with specific named tasks, such as bringing in or putting out, while the owner handles the rest. It works well for owners who can do most of the routine but cannot always be at the yard twice a day.

Livery options explained: full, part, DIY and grass

By Will Bales, founder of Saddl. Last reviewed 7 May 2026.

"Livery" is the catch-all term for paying a yard to keep your horse. The term covers a spectrum of arrangements that vary by how much the yard does versus how much you do. Owners coming into the sport for the first time often discover the choice is more nuanced than the brochures imply, and that the right answer depends as much on your weekly schedule and budget as it does on the horse.

This guide walks through the main UK livery types in plain language, with typical 2026 cost ranges, the things to ask before signing a contract, and how Saddl can help you find a yard near you that offers the kind of livery you actually need.

Full livery

Full livery is the most hands-off option for the owner. The yard handles every aspect of daily care: feeding, mucking out, turning out, bringing in, grooming, rug changes, foot picking, and exercise where agreed. The owner books lesson slots, organises vet and farrier visits, and pays the bill.

Cost in the UK typically runs from £150 per week at modest yards to £300 or more at premium training yards in the south east. London, Surrey, and Hertfordshire sit at the top of the range; Yorkshire, the North East, and parts of Wales come in lower. Always confirm what is included: rugging, clipping, schooling sessions, and box rest care are sometimes priced as extras even on full livery.

Full livery suits owners with limited time but disposable income, owners with horses in serious training, and people whose work or domestic situation means they cannot reliably get to a yard twice a day.

Part livery

Part livery is the most popular middle-ground option. The yard handles weekday care; the owner takes over at weekends, or vice versa. Some yards split it differently, with the yard doing morning routines and the owner doing evenings. The exact split varies, so always check the contract.

Cost typically runs £100 to £200 per week. Part livery suits owners with a regular weekly pattern who want hands-on time with their horse but cannot do daily care.

DIY livery

DIY (do-it-yourself) is the workhorse arrangement for owners who want their horse but want to keep costs down. The yard rents a stable and grazing; the owner does everything else. Twice-daily visits are the minimum (morning and evening) and a third visit is often expected at weekends.

Cost typically runs £30 to £80 per week for a stable plus grazing. Bedding, feed, hay, and bedding disposal are usually the owner's cost on top.

DIY suits owners who genuinely have time, who live close to the yard, and who want full control over their horse's routine. It is significantly cheaper than full livery but the time commitment is real, and it does not work for owners with unpredictable work schedules.

Grass livery

Grass livery means 24-hour turnout with no stable. The yard provides grazing, water, shelter, and fence-line maintenance. The owner provides feed where required (usually only in winter for hard keepers) and visits for checks, exercise, and routine care.

Cost typically runs £15 to £40 per week. It is the most economical option in the UK.

Grass livery suits hardier breeds and types: native ponies, cobs, and crossbreds that have evolved to live out. It does not suit thin-skinned breeds, horses prone to laminitis where the grazing is rich, or horses with respiratory issues that benefit from a stabled environment in winter. Always check what shelter is available, how many horses share the field, and what the winter feeding plan looks like before committing.

Assisted DIY and working livery

Assisted DIY is a halfway between DIY and part livery. The yard handles a defined task, such as bringing in from the field or evening hay, while the owner does the rest. It bridges the gap for owners who can do most things but not all things every day. Pricing varies but typically lands £15 to £40 above straight DIY, depending on the assistance scope.

Working livery is a different arrangement: the horse is used in the yard's lesson string in exchange for reduced or free livery. It is worth knowing this exists but it is rare in 2026, suits only certain horse temperaments, and changes the legal and insurance picture significantly. Always check the contract carefully.

Questions to ask before signing

What is included in the headline rate, and what is charged separately? Bedding and feed in particular.
What turnout policy operates in winter? Some yards restrict turnout in wet conditions.
What are the yard's opening hours, and what is the policy for early or late visits?
Is there an arena, and what are the booking arrangements?
How many horses share each field on grass livery?
What happens on box rest? Many yards charge an additional rate.
What is the notice period to leave the yard?

How to find livery near you

Saddl publishes a directory of UK equestrian venues, including livery yards, with the type of livery each offers. To find livery near you, browse our county directory and filter for livery yards in your area. Each listing shows what livery options the yard offers, its accreditation status, and how to make contact.

For aggregate pricing, see our lesson pricing pages, which break down typical costs per county where we have a credible sample size.