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Discussion on I must be nuts...
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Member:
beckyo
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Posted on Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 11:50 pm:
Tomorrow night I am going with a friend to look at a barn for lease. Our goal is to provide full service board and beginning through fairly advanced lessons. I am a bit (ahem) older than her. I plan to run the business side of things and help care for the horses. My husband and I own 3 businesses now, and I have basic experience caring for my own horse. She will be teaching the lessons and helping care for the horses. (she has been teaching lessons for 10 yrs and has cared for horses, including breaking, training, etc. for 15)
So, barn is still unseen, but I'm thinking about things I need to consider when doing a cost analysis. I don't expect to get rich. My goal would be to at least break even. 
I'm considering, insurance, feed, maintenance, legalities, advertising, equipment, etc.
I would appreciate any insight you guys had. We've been talking about doing this for years. Since I hired her to work in the tack shop I owned before I had kids. The prospect seems both exciting and daunting at the same time. Can you guys tell me about the things you didn't think of before you started a horse business? Thanks.
Becky
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 7:07 am:
Pasture care isn't in your list?
Casual labour? Or is she going to work 24 x 7?
Good luck, I think most horse businesses could do with a business brain like yours behind them.
Imogen
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 7:26 am:
Becky I have never owned a barn, but managed one.
The biggest expenses were bedding and feed, with labor right up there too.
Feed(especially hay) and bedding prices can fluctuate so much it was hard to predict. Finding a reliable hay source can be hard too.
The owners I worked for also had planned on doing all the labor, but with lessons, family, and other things, found it impossible. They usually averaged 20 horses. Taking blankets off and on, fly masks/sheets. feeding, cleaning stalls/waterers. turnout, bring in. ect. holding for farrier/vet. Treating owies.
Getting rid of manure can be expensive unless you are going to spread it, but then you need a tractor, spreader, and someone to drive it and somewhere to spread it. Many turnout paddocks are needed if you are going to have many horses, everybody has their own idea of how they want their horse turned out and where. I was fixing fence daily. Unless the fence is brand new...plan on that.
I love horses, but after spending 6 days a week there for 10 years, I burned out and had to quit. Remember horses are a 24/7 365 day a year job....including holidays.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 7:37 am:
Becky, as the owner of 3 other businesses, I'm sure you know this but I will say it anyway: get a lawyer. Make sure a contract is drawn up as to ownership of property and equipment, responsibilities (work and financial), liability, etc.
Good luck on your new endeavor!
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Member:
nightwin
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 8:21 am:
Can't emphasize this strongly enough....educate yourself as to the best way to care for horses; ie keeping them outside 24/7 or as much as possible. Dont' be just another barn that traps horses in boxes for the convenience of owners and managers, throwing lots of grain and too little forage at them, then wonder why they colic and become arthritic. Don't do things "because that's how they are always done." Read all the horse journals. Talk to your local extension agent about how to develop and care for pastures. Don't create just another mud lot for horses to stand around in.
I built a 30-horse facility from the ground up. Fresh air, good pasture, clean water, and lots of room to move and graze; in 5 years only one colic.
Horse owners are starting to realize that THEY bear the cost of their own horses' illnesses and injuries, and should and do expect barn owners/managers to do a better job of keeping their expensive investment safe and healthy.
Running a horse barn is a labor of love. Keeps you healthy. Best of luck!
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Member:
beckyo
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 12:32 pm:
The barn I'm going to look at has 22 acres of pasture. I'm hoping its not a weed infested mess. Wendy, I am a big fan of horses being kept on pasture. My own only goes in his stall long enough to eat.
Diane, I figured feed and bedding would be a big portion of the expense. I think I have a line on a good hay source.
I do realize it is a 365 day a year business. Like my own horse needs to be fed everyday, so will our boarders horses. My friend and I will start off doing it ourselves, but will plan on some working students. Much like our other businesses, start off doing most of it ourselves, and hire additional help as the business can support it.
Of course, I'm getting excited and haven't even seen this place yet. Watch it be a dump that would need hundreds of thousands of dollars to get running! Thanks everyone!
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Member:
felldoc
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 5:31 pm:
Becky, the College of Agricultural Sciences of Penn State University has a publication on boarding that you may find useful. It even includes a sample budget. The link is:https://agalternatives.aers.psu.edu/Publications/horses.pdf
Although I normally keep my horse at home, I have boarded at many places over the years (during vacations or in the winter to ride inside). Thinking as a prospective boarder, one of the first questions I would ask is:
Are there living quarters at the barn you're interested in leasing so someone can be around 24/7 to keep an eye on the horses and the property?
It's a demanding business, and I wish you success.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 5:48 pm:
The horse care questions are well answered above but don't forget the People! After 10 years I found horses still much easier to deal with than the people. Make sure your rules are clear and don't let people have wiggle room. Try to let your gut help choose who is a client. Example very nice helpful man boards a well taken care of horse no problem til you realize he is TOO helpful with 4H kids, your hair starts to stand up and yes he is a convicted child molester, off with his head and off the property! Also do not tolerate abuse of horses you board by anyone make that Clear Very Clear ! Also horses can get involved in messy divorce cases right now one is going on at the barn his horse her horse etc.Make sure you have proof of ownership. Horses and people = lots of emotions all around. Like I said on the whole the horses are great, people not so much! Just be ready and it is fun despite what've said! Cindy
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Member:
nightwin
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 8:04 pm:
Forgot to suggest this. Bedding. Charge boarders by the bag. This way they can use as much as they want (to pay for) and you don't develop an ulcer watching them waste it when they help clean the stall. It was a huge relief for me when I decided to go this route. Luckily the horses spend very little time in their stall, if their owners have even rented one, so bedding usage is even less of a bone of contention.
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Member:
beckyo
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 - 9:10 pm:
So, went to look at the barn, and it is a great deal. The owner lives on the property, close enough to keep an eye out, but not in the way. In the past he has run a barn there, but age and time play a big factor. Mostly he wants the property kept up and used, but doesn't want the day to day hassle. Get this, he already has all the heavy equipment (ie. tractor, bushhog, etc.) and he will maintain all the pastures (several nice pastures for turnout, all separately fenced with their own run-ins. Set up to be rotated nicely. The barn itself is very nice.
The man even plans on buying the rubber mats for each of the stalls in the barn, he will be repairing all the fences and doing all clean-up at the beginning. Time for a cost analysis. Gee I have huge butterflies in my stomach. At this point I really am convinced I am crazy!!!
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 - 10:31 am:
I had a terrible time finding pasture boarding info on the web when I was moving from AZ to KY. One of the few websites I could find info on stables was called Polocenter.com.
I just now googled-- horse boarding VA and sure enough that is the first website that pops up. maybe a great place to advertise especially for people looking to move to your state. Also craigslist is free advertising...you can advertise in multiple cities.
Good luck and best wishes
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 - 12:10 pm:
I ditto Cindy's response - make it people friendly. I've moved from two facilities because the owners wanted me to pay board but did not like me coming around to ride. The place I board at now treats me like a customer - which is what I am! I feel welcome and appreciated. In return, I treat their property with respect. I also agree that you should make rules up front, post them and enforce them. Keeps everyone happy.
Good luck!
Linda
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 - 12:13 pm:
Becky - I just read your profile. What is a sugar glider? That hubby of yours sounds like a keeper!
Linda
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Member:
beckyo
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 - 11:00 pm:
A sugar glider is a small marsupial (don't know if I spelled that right) they are related to the opossum, but actually resemble a flying squirrel, but are smaller, about the size of your hand from nose to tail. They are nocturnal, and like to hang out in your shirt pockets (or in your bra if they can squeeze in They are very friendly, and love to climb on top of high things and glide to you. They will climb up on top of the fire place mantle and jump to my head when I walk by. They drive my dog crazy .
Yeah, My hubby is definitely a keeper. Super supportive, and the best daddy in the world!
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Member:
imogen
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 - 2:28 am:
My friend who runs a barn has problems with people wanting to ride very late in the evening (obviously because of their schedules etc.) when the horses want quiet and she wants privacy and the roads are dangerous.
Think about this balance when you are setting up your rules as it could be a source of conflict. This is the mirror image of Linda's point... I know most barns in the UK simply lock the gate at "closing time".
Imogen
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