Livery

How do I know when I can arrive?

Horse arrivals are coordinated with course enrolment and access to accommodation. We'll send further information closer to the time. 

What happens when I arrive?

You’ll be greeted by yard staff or a barn mentor for a horse health check, paperwork and passport inspection. You’ll receive a welcome pack with key information, including veterinary registration forms. During your first week, you’ll complete an induction covering yard policies, rules and riding hat checks.

Can my horse arrive later than enrolment day?

Yes, of course. Sometimes it works well for students to settle in over the first couple of weeks and then bring their horse. You'll just need to let us know when you anticipate your horse will arrive. You can still get involved in the yard inductions and meet your Barn Mentor.

The following outlines the essential items you should bring.

Please ensure all equipment is clearly labelled with your name. When packing, remember that storage space is limited, so only bring what’s necessary.

• Storage box or trunk - maximum 100L and must be lockable
• Wheelbarrow - single wheel 120-140L capacity is adequate
• Mucking out tools - suitable for shavings plus a broom
• Feed and water bucket(s) plus feed scoop(s) - no automatic drinkers
• Hay net(s)
• Sponges and washing off equipment
• Headcollar and a lead rope
• Horse first aid kit (including thermometer) - Horse first aid kit list
• Essential rugs - cooler, stable rug, day sheet, lightweight turnout (keep to a minimum and season appropriate)
• Grooming kit
• Tack and tack cleaning equipment - one saddle and one bridle hook are provided per stable
• Lunging equipment
• Boots and bandages

You will also need gloves, a body protector and a riding hat (to the correct approved standard)

Feed bins: how much storage do I have?

Galvanised feed bins are provided for all livery barns. You'll be allocated two slots within a galvanised feed bin. This would allow for three bags of nuts in a section and 1-1.5 bags of chaff.

Don't forget you'll need to please provide your own feed buckets and scoops.

How much storage do I have for rugs and tack?

Storage is limited. In each barn you'll have a shared designated tack room. You'll have a saddle hook, a bridle hook and room for a storage box. Specifications for this can be found on the Essential kit tab. 

In line with our Barn Policy, everything must be stored neatly and locked in the tack rooms.

How much hay is included in the cost of the livery?

Hay or haylage can be collected from the haybarn on a twice-daily basis according to your horse’s requirements. If the hay barn opening times clash with your lectures, speak to a member of the yard team, they will unlock it for you at a more suitable time. 

Is there anywhere for hay to be soaked on the yard?

Yes, hay can be soaked on the yard in designated areas.

Do you have the facility to weigh your hay or haylage?

Yes, we have several within the hay barns so you can weigh your haynets.

How much bedding is included in the cost of livery and when can I collect it?

Student liveries can collect a bedding bale on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Only one bale can be collected at a time unless you have purchased more. Allocations are subject to change dependent upon market costs and availability.  

Does my horse need an equine influenza vaccination?

Yes, this must be up to date and recorded correctly in the passport. If a vaccination has lapsed at any point in the vaccination record, the vet must restart the course. Vaccinations must not be done within 7 days of arrival. The vaccination record must be submitted to the yard manager for approval in advance of your horse's arrival.

We'll also ask you to complete a Health Declaration form. This self-certification form must be dated within two weeks of arrival and submitted before the horse arrives. Further details will be sent to you at the time of offer and closer to your course enrolment arrival.

All students wishing to turn their horse out will be required to perform a worm egg count (WEC) before turning out (this can be done before arriving in September).

Do I need insurance? 

Yes, you must have third-party public liability insurance. You will need to provide a copy of your certificate. 

What are the yard timings, when can I muck out and how late can I be on the yard?

Hartpury is a busy yard. As such we operate a structured timetable to ensure both horse and rider are safe and well cared for. The following is an overview of our key times. You'll receive more details when you arrive. 

Yard access is unavailable before 6.30am and after 9.00pm for security reasons. If there is an emergency, staff are on call 24/7

Do you have a vet on-site? 

A vet from Three Counties Equine Hospital is based on-site from Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm. This means any vet work within this period is not subject to a visit fee (outside of these times, there is a call-out fee).

To have your horse added to the vet list simply speak to a member of the yard team. You can book most things from a lameness exam to flu vaccinations and sedation for dentistry work.

You will need to register your horse with the practice: Register your horse.

My horse is on medication - what do I need to do?

You must inform the yard manager as soon as possible. All prescription medications must be stored in the yard office with access arranged through a member of staff, who'll sign the medication in and out.

Please remember that some students will be competing at FEI events, so it's essential to take precautions to prevent cross-contamination of other horses' equipment. You should also let your barn mentor know, so any necessary adjustments, such as to the turnout rota, can be made to support your horse's needs. 

I am concerned about my horse’s health, a cut, skin problem - what do I do?

Try not to worry, but do share any concerns you have. Our experienced team are here to help. Pop to the office in the first instance and they can check over your horse. Your barn mentor will always be on hand to support. The vets are on-site every weekday morning should further assessment be required. 

Is there a farrier on site? 

A farrier visits each week and appointments can be booked through the yard office (this service is chargeable).

We also have contact details for several local farriers who provide an excellent service. Telephone numbers are available from the yard office.

When and where do we turnout?

Limited turnout is available all year round, subject to weather and ground conditions and may occasionally be closed. Turnout is organised by barn in small groups on a rota basis.

Where can I go hacking?

We're fortunate to have a hacking track around the Hartpury estate, this is an all-weather surface for walking and trotting. We strongly advise against riding on local roads as they get very busy. 

Does everyone need to sign in and out when hacking out?

Yes, in case of accidents it is vital that staff know who is out and where they are at all times. A board is available in each barn. Please ensure you sign in and out and carry a mobile phone with the yard number safely stored

Does everyone, even in a group, need to wear a reflective tabard when hacking out?

Yes, the safety of you, your horse and other road users is a priority. All livery students are issued with a Hartpury Equine reflective tabard at the start of term. It is compulsory that the tabard is worn whilst riding around the estate.

What happens to my horse during inter-semester breaks and the holidays? 

Under normal circumstances, your horse will need to go home with you. You'll need to ensure your stable is left clean, all tools removed and feed bins emptied.

Hartpury University students have the option to keep horses in DIY livery over Christmas and Easter provided you are on campus to look after your horse.

Full livery for Christmas and Easter holiday periods is subject to availability and additional fees. For more information, please speak to the yard manager or the livery admin team

What happens if I'm suddenly ill or need to go home? 

Let a member of the yard team or your barn mentor know immediately. Try and arrange cover with a friend or someone else on your barn and let the yard team have their details. A member of the yard team could take care of your horse temporarily (charges apply). 

I'm finding it difficult to balance horse care with my studies, what do I do? 

Our experienced members of staff are always available for advice. However, students are responsible for the day-to-day care of their horse and are expected to always abide by the Livery Code of Conduct.

To support DIY livery students, we offer an Assisted Livery Service. This service can help with day-to-day tasks which you may be unable to complete or don't feel confident doing yourself. All services must be booked in advance, are subject to availability, and will incur an additional charge. Further details will be provided during your yard induction.

There is a spare stable in another barn. Can I move?

Please speak to the yard manager. Generally, what appears to be a spare stable is not the case, a student is paying fees on that space and sometimes students take their horse home for periods of time.

I've sold my horse/my horse is injured and I want to leave livery. What do I do? 

Drop an email to livery@hartpury.ac.uk and request the Livery Leaving Form. If you're under 18 a parent or guardian will need to sign the form for you.

If we have a waitlist, we may be able to offer the stable to a waitlisted student and replace your stable space. However, please note that you are liable for your fees for the duration of the academic year even if your stable is empty and we are unable to replace you when the waitlist has been exhausted.