DIY Livery vs Full Livery

What Livery option's best for
you? Photo: (c) DS Pugh

Like many decisions to be made by Horse owners these days, the choice of Livery option can be a little confusing! But trust us, it's really not that hard to find a suitable option for you and your horse! 

We've compiled some information on the different types of Livery Options available for you and your horse to help you make an informed choice

DIY Stabled Livery

This type of livery provides the horse owner with a stable in which to keep their horse and a field or paddock in which to turn their horse out during the day. The horse owner is responsible for all care including mucking out, turning the horse out to the field and bringing the horse in from the field and feeding of the horse on a daily basis. Bedding and hay are often not included and the horse owner must purchase these separately, although some livery yards may offer DIY stabled livery at a higher price with bedding and hay included. This type of livery requires the horse owner to attend to the horse in the morning and evening of every day.


Grass Livery

This type of livery provides the horse owner with a field in which to keep their horse. The horse owner is responsible for all care and feeding of the horse on a daily basis. This type of livery requires the horse owner to attend to the horse every day even if no feeding is necessary, in order to ascertain that the horse has suffered no injury or illness each day.

Part Livery

This type of livery is similar to DIY Stabled livery but the day to day care of the horse is shared by the owner and livery yard staff and the care routine will vary from yard to yard. Some livery yards may offer staff care during the week, with the horse owner responsible for the care of the horse at weekends, other livery yards may offer staff care in the mornings with the horse owner responsible for care of the horse in the evenings. Some livery yards may include some exercising of the horse within their part livery service. This type of livery is ideal for those horse owners whose work schedule makes it difficult for them to attend to their horse twice a day, 7 days a week.

Full Livery

In addition to providing the horse owner with a stable in which to keep their horse and a field in which to turn their horse out during the day, full livery usually also includes bedding, hay and feed. Livery yard staff are responsible for all care including mucking out, turning out the horse to the field and bringing the horse in from the field and feeding of the horse on a daily basis. Some livery yards may include exercising of the horse within their full livery service. This type of livery is ideal for the horse owner whose busy schedule does not give them the time to care for their horse on a daily basis.

Working Livery

Livery yards that also operate as a riding school sometimes offer a Working Livery. The horse is kept at livery (grass, DIY stabled, part or full livery) but a reduced rate is charged in exchange for the horse owner allowing the livery yard to use their horse in riding lessons.

Make your own horse treats and cakes

It's Christmas time and here at Tic Tac Equestrian, we know that horse owners aren't the only ones who enjoy indulging in a bit of festive indulgence. Earlier, we gave you recipes for basic Christmas cakes for Horses. This time, we've scoured the web for a handful of great little treats and cookies to help you horses get into the spirit and reward them for being great companions over the past year!

Oat 'n' Apple Chewies

Treat your horse or pony to these simple squares made of wholesome ingredients. Keep them fresh in the fridge. Remember not to feed too many of any treat too often.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups unsweetened apple sauce
1 cup oat bran cereal or ground oatmeal/porridge oats
½ cup all purpose flour (approx.)

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 180C/350F
Oil a 9inch x 9inch square cake pan
Spread the batter evenly in the cake pan and bake for 20-30 minutes. The batter will start to shrink away from the sides and it will be firm to the touch.

Slice into squares while still warm. Keep chewies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or bag.


Molasses Cookies Horse Treats

Your horse will love the sweet crunchiness of these cookies. They keep well in an air-tight container. Never feed too many treats too often.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 cup bran
1 cup molasses
1 cup grated carrot or apple

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 190C/375F
Oil two cookie sheets
Put aside a small bowl of white sugar and a drinking glass with a flat bottom.
In a large bowl mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The mixture shouldn’t be too wet, and should stick together.


Add more flour to make the mixture firmer and hold together if necessary. Drop by teaspoonfuls, about 1 ½ inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Grease the bottom of the glass, dip it in the sugar, and stamp the cookies to flatten them slightly. Bake for about 10 minutes. This makes about 25 cookies, depending on the size. Store in an air-tight container or bag.



Baked Carrot Crispies

2 carrots,shredded
1 apple,shredded
1/3 cup molasses
3/4 cup flower
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup bran
3/4 cup porridge oats/oatmeal

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat over to 200C/400F. Generously grease a muffin tin. Mix carrots and apples into a bowl with molasses.,bran,brown sugar,water,flour and oatmeal. Mixture should have a thick and doughy consistency. Add more bran if needed. Scoop dough into a muffin tin,sprinkle each muffin with brown sugar and bake in the over for 30-50 minutes until well cooked

Spoil your horse this Christmas with gift ideas from Tic Tac Equestrian!

Horses know how to live it up
 at Christmas too!

It's getting even closer to Christmas, and at Tic Tac Equestrian, the excitement is beginning to mount! It's a magical time of year, and a perfect opportunity to show your loved ones just how much you care - especially your beloved horses and ponies!

Believe us when we say our four-legged buddies appreciate the excitement of getting a special new gift on Christmas Day as much as their owners, so at Tic Tac, there are plenty of fantastic x-mas gift ideas for horses, from comfy riding gear and winter rugs, to delicious treats and lots of horsey toiletries to keep them looking happily, healthy and smart. 

For the full range of Christmas gift ideas from Tic Tac Equestrian, go to the official store today, or for some more ideas, check out our earlier post on stocking and stable fillers this Christmas!

From all of us here, we hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

CHRISTMAS COMPETION - WIN A FABULOUS EQUESTRIAN HAMPER!!!

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION  - WIN A FABULOUS PRIZE!!

WIN THIS BULGING CHRISTMAS HAMPER!!

It's the time of year for gift-giving and spoiling yourself, so here at Tic Tac Equestrian, we've teamed up with The Equine Vet Clinic to bring you Christmas competition of epic proportions!! Together, we're giving you the chance to win a beautiful wicker hamper full of goodies for both you and your horse from your friendly neighbourhood suppliers of high quality equestrian brands for all your horsey needs!

This wonderful winter bundle includes:

• Loveson half chaps
• Mark Todd riding gloves, socks and headbands
• Herbal horse treat
• Likit bars
• Vetrap,
• Carr & Day & Martin mane and tail co
  nditioner
• An Equistro jacket 
• A £50 voucher to spend on TicTac Equestrian’s online store

JUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION!

In 1964 which British bred, Irish trained, thoroughbred racehorse won the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby and earned himself the title of British Horse of the Year?

A. Santa Clause
B. Rudolph
C. Christmas Cheer
D. The Snowman

Please email A, B, C or D along with your name address and telephone number to horsevet@tiscali.co.uk.

The closing date for all entries is 15 December 2012. 

For more info on these products and dozens of other great Equestrian supplies and leisurewear, you can visit the TicTac website: www.tictacequestrian.com

GOOD LUCK!!