The Livery Yard Manager Course provides a comprehensive blend of hands-on horse management and professional business skills, equipping learners with the knowledge required to run a safe, compliant, and financially sustainable livery operation.
The programme begins with the foundations of setting up and developing a yard, covering different types of livery arrangements, legal responsibilities for equine welfare, and the evaluation of facilities and services. Learners gain a practical understanding of yard infrastructure, maintenance planning, and business structures, ensuring that operational decisions support both horse welfare and commercial viability.
Strong emphasis is placed on client and staff management, including robust documentation, contracts, data protection, and effective communication. Students learn how to manage challenging real-world situations such as debt recovery, welfare concerns, and safeguarding responsibilities, while maintaining professional standards.
The course also develops essential financial and marketing skills, introducing bookkeeping, invoicing, budgeting, pricing, and cash flow management alongside practical marketing, customer retention, and the use of PR and social media for livery businesses.
Practical yard management remains central throughout the syllabus, with detailed coverage of biosecurity, hygiene, disease control, fire safety, maintenance, security, and day-to-day horse care. Health and safety, insurance, staff employment, and legal compliance are fully integrated to reflect the realities of managing a modern livery yard.
Overall, the course prepares learners to balance excellent horse welfare with effective business management, ensuring they can operate a professional, responsible, and successful livery yard.
Yard Setup and Operations
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Understanding different types of livery arrangements and service levels
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Evaluating yard facilities and identifying areas for improvement
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Planning maintenance, record-keeping, and operational procedures
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Understanding business structures and their implications
Equine Welfare, Legislation, and Compliance
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Equine welfare legislation, passports, and animal identification requirements
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Health and Welfare Codes of Practice and voluntary approval schemes
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Biosecurity, hygiene, disease control, and fire safety planning
Client and Yard Management
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Developing and managing contracts, policies, and client documentation
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Data protection and professional record-keeping
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Managing client relationships, including difficult situations such as debt recovery, welfare concerns, abandonment, and euthanasia
Financial Management and Marketing
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Bookkeeping, invoicing, and accounting principles
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Tax, VAT, National Insurance, budgeting, and cash flow forecasting
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Pricing strategies, marketing, customer attraction, and retention
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Using PR and social media to promote a livery business
Staff, Health and Safety, and Safeguarding
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Insurance requirements for livery yards
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Health and safety procedures, risk assessments, and accident reporting
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Employing and managing staff, including recruitment, legal obligations, and retention
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Equality, disability awareness, safeguarding, and mental health awareness
Practical Yard Management
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Day-to-day yard operations and maintenance
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Safe stabling, grazing management, and storage procedures
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Security, fire safety, and emergency planning
Bonus 1: Free Digital Copy of the Responsible Grooms Course
It is free to enroll your first member of staff on the Responsible Grooms course.
- A valuable resource to help you support and onboard new or junior staff
- Can be used as a training guide or interview preparation tool
- Course file is released once your staff member successfully completes their course
