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  Discussion on New Boarding Facility
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Posted on Friday, Jun 25, 1999 - 10:58 pm:

I would like to build a small barn to board a few horses on my 3 acres. Can anyone give me advise on permits, insurance, barn builders or anything I might need to know before I begin my project?

Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 1999 - 10:12 am:

Bobbi,

I know permits, laws re running a small business, etc. are all up to the locality - state and county if in NC.

We have a county extension service that is very helpful - perhaps you have one that could help you get started.

I would imagine, you'd try to set up the business in a way to protect you from personal liability charges - so you'd want to consult a local lawyer.
At a minimum to get a release drafted for your boarders that might hold some water, and any and all appropriate signs to post re liability.

Perhaps there is a local horseman's association you could join and do some "networking" off of their experience - many times the local folks can recommend a contractor that is experienced with barns, rings, fencing, etc.

Your locale may have limits on the population density of horses you can keep - this can even vary by where your farm is relative to a watershed, for example.

If you invest the time in researching on the front end, I expect you will avoid some of the expensive pitfalls.

Good luck.

Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 1999 - 10:00 pm:

Also, if you board for others, don't forget to have care, custody and control insurance. Your regular insurance such as homeowners which covers your farm, may not include care and custody. The liability law which was passed in NC will not cover your attorney's fees if you are sued, so you need to have it. Insurance companies that work on a regular basis with boarding farms or stables will usually be able to provide you with a release for your clients. We previously had to buy ours out of state, however there are now some firms in NC which offer it.
Liz A.

Posted on Saturday, Jul 3, 1999 - 8:22 am:

Bobbie,
In our county in Indiana three acres would not be enough land to raise even one horse legally. I believe the formula is ten acres for the first four horses than one acre per horse after that. If you try to raise a "few" horses on three acres you will have a mud lot in a short time. For the sake of the horses I would advise you to not try a boarding facility on such a small place. In order for such a facility to be profitable you need to have many horses and they need to have plenty of pasture to stay healthy.
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