A livery contract — the agreement between a horse owner and a livery yard for the keeping of a horse — is one of the more high-value and high-emotion consumer contracts in the UK. Costs run from £80 per week for DIY livery up to £400+ per week for full livery, and a typical yard agreement runs for at least an initial month with rolling renewal thereafter. The contract governs care standards, payment terms, what happens in an emergency, the yard's right to assert a lien for unpaid fees, and the welfare implications if the relationship breaks down.
What is a Stables agreement?
A UK livery contract is a services and accommodation agreement under which a livery yard provides stabling, grazing, and (depending on the type) feeding, mucking out, turnout, riding facilities, and other care services for a horse owned by the customer. Livery is offered in tiers — DIY (owner does all care), part livery, full livery, and working livery — with the contract reflecting which services the yard provides. The Consumer Rights Act 2015, Animal Welfare Act 2006, and Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines (where adopted) apply.
Red flags to watch for
Yards do have a common-law innkeeper's or stabler's lien for unpaid fees, but exercising it requires lawful process. A contract that purports to allow immediate sale without notice or court order is likely unenforceable, but you should not rely on that — disputes are slow and the welfare implications are serious.
Full livery should define the exact care provided — turnout hours, feed type and quantity, hay quantity, mucking out frequency, exercise. A clause saying 'horse will be cared for in accordance with yard standards' creates disputes about what was actually agreed.
Most yards operate one-month or four-week notice for departure. Anything substantially longer than one month for a rolling monthly arrangement may be unfair under Consumer Rights Act 2015 Schedule 2.
Equine emergencies (colic, laminitis, injury) can run to thousands of pounds. The contract should specify a spending cap before owner authorisation, a named back-up contact, and an end-of-life decision authority.
Some yards charge separately for arena use, schooling, jumping lessons, or solarium. These should be disclosed in a schedule, not bolted on at the end of the month.
The yard typically requires the owner to carry third-party liability insurance on the horse (BHS membership often suffices). The owner should ask what insurance the yard carries for property damage, employee injuries, and rider injuries on the premises.
Yards sometimes reserve the right to move horses to alternative stables for maintenance or rotation. This should be limited to reasonable circumstances and require notice.
Some yards charge an exit fee or 'cleaning fee' that is non-refundable. These should be reasonable and clearly disclosed.
Your legal rights
UK consumer rights for livery arrangements include: Consumer Rights Act 2015, particularly sections 49 (reasonable care and skill), 50 (information binding), 51 (reasonable price), and 52 (reasonable time); Animal Welfare Act 2006 establishing a duty of care on any person responsible for an animal; Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 — 14-day cooling-off for distance contracts; Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008; common-law stabler's lien (limited and procedurally specific). Welfare prosecutions can follow under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if standards fall below the duty of care threshold. The British Horse Society Approved Centres scheme provides a benchmark for many yards; while not a legal requirement, it influences the standard of care expected by courts.
Questions to ask before you sign
- 1What care services are included in the livery fee, and what is charged separately?
- 2What are the exact care standards — turnout hours, feed, hay, mucking out, exercise?
- 3What is the notice period for either party to terminate, and is it the same in both directions?
- 4What is the emergency vet authorisation — spending cap, back-up contact, end-of-life decisions?
- 5What insurance does the yard carry, and what am I required to carry?
- 6What is the lien clause, and what process applies before any action against my horse?
- 7Can the yard relocate my horse, and under what circumstances?
- 8Are there exit fees, deep-cleaning fees, or other one-off charges on departure?
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contract law varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified legal professional before making decisions based on this information.