Livery yard owner saves horses from floods
A livery yard owner from Hull spent Monday leading her 16 liveries to safety after the equivalent of four months rain fell in one day. Just two hours after the environment agency issued a flood warning, Linda Varey of Lowfields Livery was wading through 5ft of water.
“When I started to lead the first livery horses out to the sand school, the water was just coming over their hooves; an hour and a half later, the water was close to the roof in all the outdoor stables.
“At 2pm we called the Fire Brigade saying we’re desperate for help. At 6pm we rang them back telling them not to worry. We knew they couldn’t reach us and were horrendously busy, so we just got on with things.
“We have relocated the horses all over Humberside and my owners have been marvellous.”
Linda continues: “We’ve lost rugs and bridles, watched the mounting block go floating by, dodged haylage bales and even watched the travelling boots travel out on their own. Everything will have to be replaced.”
Fellow livery yard owner Melanie Watson now has some of Linda’s horses at her stables at Skidby, seven miles from Hull. Although she has been affect by the floods, she feels lucky to have escaped so lightly.
She says: “The water just poured off the fields above ours like giant waterfall.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Seven of Melanie’s 18 horses were marooned for the night on the highest part of their field.
“I don’t think they wanted to wade through 5ft of muck-filled water,” chuckles Melanie. “But they’re none the worse for wear.
“I just feel so sorry for Linda. It’s at times like this we all chip in and lend a hand.”
• Have you taken action to help your horses during this week’s floods? Have you rallied round to help others? E-mail your story and pictures to: HHtell@ipcmedia.com
Don’t miss further news on horses caught up in the recent floods in Horse & Hound magazine
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
