Improving dressage and yards in cities

"At Wyndham Livery, located in a Cardiff suburb, proprietor Sally Barker’s greatest bug-bears are locals who mountain-bike and dog-walk through her turnout fields. “The dogs are let off the lead and leave mess, which can end up over the horses’ rugs,” she explains. Despite this, Sally loves running her yard, which she set up because she couldn’t find a livery yard that offered what she wanted."

http://www.horsemagazine.co.uk/features/city_yards.php

"Urban livery checklist

• How much turnout can you realistically expect in summer and winter? If there is no turnout, will this suit your horse?
• What are the noise levels on the yard? Is your horse reactive to noise?
• Is the yard open to the public? If so, what are the additional security measures, such as CCTV?
• How much roadwork will you have to do? Has the local council supplied signs or crossing aids?
• How traffic/bombproof is your horse? It may well come across double-decker buses and large crowds of people.
• How much hacking is available? What are the priorities of the nearby off-road tracks, and can you be sure of your safety riding out?
• How quickly can a vet or farrier be on the yard?
• If there a risk of pollution, check with your vet: might this affect any existing conditions, such as respiratory challenges?
• How much equine experience does the proprietor have, and where are yard staff recruited from?
"