Hey all!

I was talking to my mom about my future career and she agreed to help me out by buying a stable property & I would just pay her back throughout the years. So I asked ck1791 , who has become like a sister to me :P, if she wanted to do this with me. She also agreed to do it & we're both ultra excited. I understand it'll be a lot of money, but my idea is that I'd use the stable as a boarding barn with lessons & then once I get a good chunk of money I'd get some lesson horses/ponies. I understand basic stable management & such thanks to my Equine classes at High school & working at several stables.

I was just wondering some tips on running a stable & such :P

~♥

Well said Kara.. I think this is great, i'm going to
try and finish my school early so I won't be a dead weight
in the business, I want to help out as much as I can.
Anyways... Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Christina

Well... hmmm. Where to start.

Buy in bulk always. And searched used for purchasing such as tack, stable supplies etc (not for meds or oral).

I would want plenty of pasture/field property so as not to have to feed hay constantly. Horses are happier, healthier, and in the long run cheaper to let them eat grass spring/summer/fall. Not everyone has the same opinion, but works much better for me this way. It's also going to depend highly upon price as to where/what state you are interested in.

When you buy hay, buy in summer months when it is cheaper- also buy in bulk. Always search several options and get opinions on the types of hay in your area before purchasing your first find.

Feed storage: Garbage cans or large freezers (either upright freezers turned on their side, or deep freezers) that no longer work. You can find for free at the dump!

Always keep good latches and/or locks on gates, stall doors, tack/feed rooms etc. You wouldn't want a boarder's horse to get out and climb into you feed room to founder themselves. Always keep a close eye on the fences also.

Don't shortcut on horse's health and livelihood. It's always better to spend a bit more if needed to keep a healthy equine, than to cut corners then later tend forever the sick ones.

Always a wonderful money saver the more head knowledge you have for things such as farrier/ vet know-how. Read books! Find a good dependable and well-spoken-of farrier that is local once you get settled. Some farriers will also negotiate if you have a large amount of horses for him each time he comes.

There is Stable/Barn Management software you can purchase. I have seen online, and also in jeffersequine.com, valleyvet.com, and countrysupply.com

There should also be online courses for stable management.

And, a first aid in your barn is a must!


Hope that was something of what you both were looking for and hope it helps.


Good luck!

Thank you for the awesome tips, those will
be very helpful. Thanks again!

Thank you so much! ♥

You're both very welcome! Not sure if it was even the type of info you were looking for. Just my two cents
I'm sure Ltc4h and a few others will have different/more advice on this topic also.

Good luck to both of you.

FIRST- Insurance
Without it given the wrong situation/person you won't own your business long.
Boarding;
You can never be to knowledgeable, but go to some other stables, the ones that are full with a waiting list, normally you wouldn't put your horse at.
Then you ask, Why are they full
" Fake it with Flare"
All the fences are new and painted
The barn is spotless, no cobwebs/dust/dirt/poop/etc..
Horses all fat well groomed
Manicured property/pretty flowers
Multiple horse trailers parked there
Driveway big enough for trailers and easy turnaround
Ring set up for-Jumpers,Dressage,Trail obstacles,working cattle,etc...
Get the idea
No where, does it look like a working facility, but it looks nice and people want nice.
If you don't have that, you need to have functional and safe
Then know what you are going to offer, everything=nothing
Is it going to be mostly kids or adults. Kids like groups and fun easy stuff to do, adults like more quiet relaxed low key type of settings.
What are you primarily offering,a backyard weekend type of owner or most serious competitors.
Some breeds don't get along. Imported Warmblood Dressage owners don't really want to share a barn with teenage barrel racers.
Will you accept Stallions, you will need to be sure you are set up for that. It is also an extra liability.
Will you accept-cribbers/weavers/kickers,etc...
How many horses per acre is the property zoned for.
How many fields
How many horses per field
Then, decide what each owner has access to;
feed,hay,ring use,stall,etc..
What happens when joe used all of susie's fly spray-well of coarse a fight
Will you have designated areas for each owner or do they need to bring it daily
What will be locked and kept open
You need to set a worming and vaccination criteria
Outside trainers/farriers/vets ?
Manure storage/removal
Do it all yourself or working student/ board deduction for helping out
Will you charge extra for, blanketing,holding for vet /farrier,grooming,medicating,etc...
Will one of you live on the premises 24/7

Once teaching-more insurance
Will helmets be manditory-some insurance companies require it
Are you going to be certified both for teaching and first aid/cpr
What about trailer in lessons-vaccinations,parking,facility use
Who has first use-you or the boarders
How many can ride safely @ the same time
Hours of operation
Liability of bystanders,moms/dads,brothers/sisters grandparents/friends
Accidental damage to horse,trailer,equipment,vehicles.

I could go on, but don't want to overwhelm you to begin with.

Like I said before INSURANCE.
And if your boarding, one of you really needs to be a people person. Your selling something, your facility. The customers always right.
If your people skills aren't the greatest, Lessons only last 1 hour and sometimes with training horses the owners never show up.

Look in your area and try to see what is missing. A high end facility or a nice pleasure barn.
Don't be another one of the thousands of the same thing, try to offer what others don't.
Even if it's the same thing "boarding' just offer it in a different way.
Fire hydrants/extinguishers- how man /location

Well done. I agree with liability and insurance.
Thanks for all the info, you wrote it very clear and
thorough Lol.

Thanks, everyone's help is
very appreciated!

Thanks Ltc4h!

I wrote all this stuff out with check boxes next to them for when I need it