At ARU in Writtle we teach a number of equine degrees at our specialist Equine Training and Development Centre. The Centre can house students' own horses and offers a number of DIY livery packages.
DIY livery is based in three separate stable blocks:
Livery is offered on a DIY basis, subject to availability, and places must be re-booked each academic year. You'll have access to all Equine Centre facilities when not in use for timetabled sessions; these include three indoor arenas, floodlit outdoor menage, oval horse-walker, hacking on our 150-hectare campus, solariums, weighbridge and hay steamers.
If your course involves riding, you can ride your own horse during timetabled sessions.
Please see our Student Livery Guide 2025-26 for full details.
Stables are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis. To register your interest in DIY livery, please email [email protected] and [email protected].
DIY Livery Stable
Costs per day are:
These costs cover DIY Livery stable, and use of field and facilities (shavings, straw and hay not included).
Equine Academy
Costs per day are:
These costs cover Equine Academy stable, and use of sand pen and facilities (shavings, straw and hay not included).
DIY non-ridden working livery
We offer limited places for DIY non-ridden working livery. Owners are offered a discounted stabling fee in return for allowing their horse to be used in non-ridden practical sessions. You'll have full access to your horse at all times, but the Horse Unit will be able use the horse for a maximum of two practical sessions per day (Monday–Friday). Yard Managers will communicate
with you to agree on your horse’s daily practical commitments.
Costs per day are:
These costs include DIY Livery stable; use of field and facilities (shavings, straw and hay not included); six-monthly saddle check; worming/egg count; dentist annually; nutrition assessments/advice four times per year; regular veterinary physiotherapy assessments/treatments.
Please note that all costs are the responsibility of the owner. This includes any costs in relation to veterinary (reproductive or otherwise), farriery, worming and preventative inoculations. Invoices must be sent to and paid by the owner direct and NOT arranged via ARU.
No, DIY livery is based on shared grass turnout.
There may be times when grazing is restricted depending on the ground.
As a student livery, you'll have access to all Equine Centre facilities when they're not in use for timetabled sessions, including three indoor arenas, floodlit outdoor ménage, oval horse-walker, hacking on campus, solariums, weighbridge and hay steamers.
Yes.
Yes – a map is available with designated routes.
Yes – many international students bring their horses.
Yes, we have strict bio-security measures in place to protect our horse population. All incoming horses must be strangles blood tested and vaccinated against equine influenza before arriving on campus. All horses will be required to carry out a seven-day isolation period on arrival.
New horses stay on an initial trial period. Horses with vices are welcome on the DIY Yard, however, as the safety of our students is paramount, any horses displaying dangerous or aggressive behaviours would not be suitable for our environment.
The minimum age is four years old.
Horses are welcome to stay on DIY livery during holiday periods. At times it may be possible to offer a full livery service, however, this would only be available during certain holiday periods and would need to be discussed in advance.
Yes: tack and clothing can be stored in a locked tack room.