Turning passion into profit

Buying an equestrian property with business potential can generate a useful income, especially if you think outside the box, as Catherine Welton discovers

- Catherine Welton

EQUESTRIAN properties usually come with a premium price tag as well as ongoing maintenance costs - no wonder some owners look to make an income from theirs. And whether they have a few acres with a handful of stables or a big yard with all the facilities, there's an equestrian business to suit.

“First, people think of a livery yard,” says Cheryl Johns, founder of LiveryList, “but over the past few years, the trend for livery has switched. DIY spaces are filling more easily, part and full livery not so much.”

It can be difficult, however, to make a decent income from DIY livery. And, as Cheryl points out, DIY has another downside: “If you have a smaller, more private property, you probably don't want lots of horse owners turning up every day.”

Megan Wright, head of marketing at Michael Graham Estate Agents, has noticed another type of livery increasing in popularity: “Equine Retirement homes are gaining traction due to ageing horse populations and owners seeking peace of mind.

Cheryl points out that, as well as being a growth market, retirement livery can be a more attractive option for property owners.

"You don’t need facilities like an arena, you get the horses without the owners and the horses are generally easier to handle," she says. "Although you're also more likely to have horses with medical conditions, so that takes more time and management."

Shadowmere Equine Retirement Livery, in Lincolnshire, opened in 2022.

"We originally had the idea because our own thoroughbred was nearing retirement," says Caroline Hirst, marketing manager for the yard.