Equine Management in UK Livery Yards during the COVID-19 Pandemic-"As Long As the Horses Are Happy, We Can Work Out the Rest Later".
Authors: Furtado Tamzin, Perkins Elizabeth, McGowan Catherine, Pinchbeck Gina
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary Livery yard owners and managers (LYO/Ms) oversee approximately 60% of the UK's leisure horse population, yet their decision-making processes have received minimal academic scrutiny until now. This qualitative study interviewed 24 different LYO/Ms across nine months (48 interviews total) and analysed online forum discussions to understand how they navigated equine management during COVID-19 lockdowns, using Grounded Theory methodology to identify patterns in their practice. Prior to the pandemic, yard management practices varied substantially and reflected each LYO/M's philosophy of good care, business constraints, and the balance required between owner and equine satisfaction; during lockdown, this equilibrium shifted markedly as managers prioritised protecting horse routines and wellbeing whilst adapting human behaviour and movement patterns to meet government restrictions. Rather than compromising equine care protocols, LYO/Ms expected yard users to reshape their own activities around established horse management practices—demonstrating that yard culture, traditions and consistency in equine routines hold significant value in their decision hierarchy. For professionals working within livery systems, these findings underscore that understanding each yard's particular culture and management philosophy is essential, and that equine professionals should recognise LYO/Ms as key stakeholders whose operational constraints and care priorities directly influence the horses in their yards.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Livery yard managers should recognize that consistency in horse routines and established yard protocols are critical to equine welfare during periods of operational disruption
- •During crises, focus on protecting equine management practices first, then adapt human procedures and staffing arrangements around those priorities rather than vice versa
- •Understanding and documenting your yard's unique culture and care standards helps maintain welfare standards even when staff or circumstances change unexpectedly
Key Findings
- •Approximately 60% of UK leisure horses are kept at livery yards managed by livery yard owners/managers (LYO/Ms), a role that has received minimal research attention
- •Prior to the pandemic, equine care practices varied greatly across yards, reflecting each LYO/M's construction of good care, business model, and balance between human and equine contentment
- •During COVID-19, LYO/Ms prioritized equine welfare by minimizing changes to horse routines and management, instead reshaping human activities to fit government guidelines
- •Yard cultures, routines, and traditions were identified as important factors in equine management decisions, with maintenance of care standards prioritized regardless of staffing changes