Survey launched to find out more about Livery yard welfare standards

By Amanda Stevenson

General news

05 August 2008 09:18

A survey has been launched to find out more about the welfare standards in Britain's livery yards.

Livery yards are an invaluable resource for horse and pony owners who are unable to keep their equines at home. However, there is no record of how many horses are currently at livery or indeed the number of operating yards and the welfare standards under which they operate.

Representatives from the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), World Horse Welfare, The British Horse Society, RSPCA, Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS), South Essex Insurance Brokers (who currently insure a total of 8,562 DIY and livery stables) and (for local government) LACORS and CIEH, have set up a working party to carry out some research into UK livery yards to become better informed about standards. The group has taken the view that asking the general public about their local livery yard would help to obtain information about the number of yards and get a general picture of the range and standard of accommodation and services offered.

Horse owners, grooms, yard owners, veterinary surgeons, farriers and other equine professionals, are invited to complete the online survey at www.liveryyardsurvey.co.uk so that the working party has the most up-to-date information on livery yards. They should complete a survey for each livery yard about which they have first-hand knowledge.

Visitors to the site will be able to complete the survey confidentially and the results will be reviewed in September 2008 to establish what further action, if any, is necessary.

To report a welfare concern please call the World Horse Welfare Hotline free on 08000 480180.

What do you think about standards in Britain's livery yards? Post your comments below...