How a Small Family Livery Yard Went From Empty Stables to a Waiting List
When people think about marketing, they often assume it is only relevant to large businesses with substantial budgets. However, some of the most rewarding projects we have worked on at Escape the Village have involved helping small rural businesses attract the right customers through simple, practical marketing. One such example is The Priory Stables & Livery Yard near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
This small, family-run livery yard had a handful of spare stables available alongside their own competition horses and ponies. They offered a friendly, welcoming environment and excellent facilities, but like many equestrian businesses, they faced a common challenge:
They were a well kept secret, people simply didnt know they extisted, yet people were often looking for livery services in their area.
The Challenge
The Priory Stables was operating primarily through word of mouth. Whilst recommendations are incredibly valuable in the equestrian industry, relying solely on personal referrals can limit growth and make it difficult to fill vacancies quickly when they arise.
Potential clients searching online for:
- Livery yards in the local area
- DIY livery
- Part livery options
- Horse boarding facilities
- Stables to rent
were unlikely to find the yard because it had very little online presence. The owners wanted a simple, cost-effective solution that would help them reach more local horse owners without taking time away from running the yard and caring for their horses.
Our Approach
Having worked within the equestrian sector ourselves, we understood both the business and the audience. Horse owners are often want for more than just a stable, especially if they are entrusting you with their precious equine friend. They want confidence in the people running the yard, reassurance about the facilities, and a sense of community. With this in mind, we focused on three key areas.
1. Creating a Professional Website
We developed a simple but effective website that showcased:
- The yard facilities
- Available livery options
- Location information
- Contact details
- Images of the yard and horses
- Information about the family behind the business
The website provided potential clients with a central place to learn more about the yard and make enquiries. Importantly, it also helped establish credibility. Many horse owners now expect to find at least some information online before making contact.
2. Establishing a Facebook Presence
Social media is particularly important within the equestrian community. We helped create and establish a Facebook page that allowed the yard to:
- Share updates
- Post photographs
- Showcase the facilities
- Highlight available stables
- Engage with local horse owners
The page gave prospective liveries a genuine insight into day-to-day life at the yard and helped build trust before people even visited.
3. Listing the Yard on Relevant Directories
Many horse owners begin their search using specialist equestrian directories and local business listings.
We researched and submitted The Priory Stables to a range of appropriate directories, increasing their visibility and making it easier for potential clients to discover them.
This approach provided ongoing exposure without requiring constant management or advertising spend.
Why Industry Knowledge Matters
One of the biggest advantages of this project was our existing knowledge of horses and the equestrian world. Having previously owned horses ourselves and worked with numerous rural and equestrian businesses, we understood:
- Common livery terminology
- The different types of livery available
- What horse owners typically look for
- The importance of trust and reputation
- Seasonal challenges within the industry
This meant we could speak the same language as the client and accurately represent the business to potential customers. There was no need to explain every aspect of the industry or translate equestrian terminology into marketing language. We already understood it.
The Results
The results exceeded expectations. The increased online visibility meant more local horse owners were able to find the yard and enquire about available stables. Over time, the business progressed from having vacant stables to operating with a waiting list. In fact, the marketing worked so effectively that enquiries continued long after the owners had decided to retire from offering livery services. Even several years later, people still discover the business online and make contact regarding stable availability. For a small rural business, this demonstrates the long-term value of creating a strong digital presence.
Key Outcomes for The Priory Stables
✔ Professional website established
✔ Facebook page created and developed
✔ Directory listings implemented
✔ Increased visibility within the local equestrian community
✔ Vacancies filled successfully
✔ Waiting list created
✔ Ongoing enquiries received years after retirement from the sector
What This Means for Other Rural Businesses
Many rural and equestrian businesses underestimate how many potential customers search online before making contact. You may have an excellent reputation locally, but if people cannot find you online, you could be missing opportunities. You do not always need a large website, a huge advertising budget, or a complex marketing strategy. Sometimes the fundamentals are enough:
- A professional website
- Active social media presence
- Directory listings
- Clear information
- Consistent branding
Combined together, these simple steps can dramatically improve visibility and generate enquiries for years to come.
Looking for Marketing Support for Your Rural or Equestrian Business?
At Escape the Village, we understand rural businesses because we live and work in the countryside ourselves. We have hands-on experience across the equestrian, agricultural, tourism, charity, events, and rural business sectors. Whether you run a livery yard, riding school, equine therapist business, agricultural service, rural attraction, or countryside-based company, we can help you increase your visibility, attract more enquiries, and build a sustainable marketing presence.
The Priory Stables is a great example of how a simple marketing strategy can deliver long-lasting results, turning a few spare stables into a waiting list and generating enquiries for years after the business stopped taking liveries. Sometimes, the right people are already looking for what you offer. They just need to be able to find you.
