Boarding Other People’s Horses, What Does It Take?
I’m considering to write another book or perhaps even create a video training program to help others set up and run a horse boarding stable.
Based on the feedback I’ve been receiving it looks like there are plenty of you that would like to set up a small to medium sized boarding stable or simply board other people’s horses as an extra source of income, but there is nowhere to go for answers. I’d like to fix that and help you along to get a good start.
From what I’ve learned in my own research, designing and building the barn, setting up the business side of things and then actually running the show, there are plenty of things that could turn your love into a nightmare.
Some of my biggest fears that were staring me in the face when I started this journey were:
- do I really know enough about horses and what they need?
- do I know what to do if they get injured or sick?
- do I know enough about their nutritional requirements?
- how will I compete with the bigger barns?
- can I make money at this?
- how do I attract the right kind of people?
- what if my boarders don’t pay me?
- will people respect my property and home, and what will I do if they don’t?
- what if things get stolen?
- what if people decide to have a party and bring alcohol to the barn?
…and a host of other things.
And I’m not alone…
Over the past few years I’ve learned and developed a number of systems to deal with my realm of horse boarding. And for any of those issues that I’ve just mentioned, I’ve figured out a solution that works for me …and a host more.
Right now, I’m most interested in creating education and training programs that will have the highest impact for each of you contemplating getting into horse boarding, or perhaps for those of you already into horse boarding and wishing to improve your business.
But what I need to know is what YOU would like to know. What are YOUR top burning questions? What kind of information is important to you? And of course, is something like this even something you’d be interested in?
So, basically I’m trying to figure out if this would be a project that’s worth investing my time and attention in. And if so, what are the particular topics that I need to make sure are covered so it has the value YOU are looking for.
Do me a favor: Leave me a comment below, and let me know your thoughts about this.
Right now I’m thinking about creating an in-depth eBook, or perhaps even a DVD self study program specifically created for the small to medium sized facility and focused on the ins and outs of setting up a safe and healthy environment for horses, a fun environment for boarders, and a good solid set of business principles that ensures health for the business itself.
The program would be for anyone wanting to get into this business.
What do you think? Would you invest in a program like this one? What format would you prefer? For example, an eBook, a DVD self study program or an online coaching program?
What do you think the right PRICE would be for it?
Do you have any recommendations of books, audio programs or videos I should reference to add to my own experience? Any tips of your own? Any key thinkers in this area I might not know about?
If you’re a barn owner reading this, what would be the top three things you would implement right away if you had to do it all over again?
Go wild in the comments – I sincerely appreciate it!
I would love to see it in book form. Keep it under $30.00. I would be very interested.
I would personally like to read any books you write just keep it under $30.00.I think I would do is one, maitenance of fields and barns, appearance and condition is a big factor for me when I am choosing a stable for my horse. The second thing is advertisement, signs need to be obvious and easy to see. The other thing is cleanliness and availibilty. I have been recently looking for a stables and the four main things that made me interested (or not) in a stable were appearance, atmosphere, cleanliness, and ability to contact the owner.
Thanks to your last e-book, I recently found a GREAT barn for my horse. I knew which questions to ask and what to look for, and I didn’t settle until I found exactly what I was looking for, in my budget. It took six visits, but I found the right one. My horse is happy and well cared for, and that makes me happy.
I don’t know of anyone who is looking to start a boarding facility, but someday I may consider it. I would like to know what to look for in buying a horse boarding facility, what are the essentials, and what may be options for most boarders. In the northern climate where I live, an indoor arena is really important for a lot of folks, but having one adds to the cost. I also look at the condition of the barn, whether things are in good repair, whether the fences are in good shape, and how well kept the stalls are. I agree that the owner and his/her knowledge on the care and keeping of horses is key, as is the ability to contact them. Well posted information, newsletters, bulletin boards and white boards are essential for communication, with farrier/vet visits posted and deworming schedules. Trails and location are also important to me. I would also like to know general costs per month to run a barn, hidden costs, as well as what to consider when building a barn or shed.
I hope this helps somewhat. I look forward to reading your new ebook.
Hello,
I have been running a boarding stable for the last 17 years and I think I could write this book!:) The horses were NEVER a problem, just the owners!!!! How do you deal with people that want to HANG out at the barn, pick your brain?
With the economy and harsh winter my business has really slowed down. It’s actually a nice break! But no $. I still love all the horses and mainly have retired horses with a few active riders.
This is exactly what im looking for, however i dont have the time or patience to sit and read a whole book. Maybe a magazine format or a newsletter. However, if a book is easier, I would still be interested. Maybe $25? I live in the deep south (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), so our humid conditions have other factors to keep in mind. We dont have many closed barns, and what to do with compost and such is a problem. My biggest fear is what I can do legally when someone refuses to pay? Also what is a decent amount to pay a barn hand who feeds and mucks stalls? Minimum down here is 5.75. Thanks!
I started a small boarding business 6 years ago and have not yet made a profit. I don’t really expect to make any kind of living off of it, but would like to make a modest profit (or at least a positive cash flow), sort of like a part time income – investment pay back period will be beyond my lifetime.
We expanded from a 4 stall barn to 10 stalls that include an attached new barn with hayloft. Other investments include a grain silo and auger feeding system so we can get our grain in bulk at a better rate; a 15 yard shed for bulk bedding; a 10K solar electricity system so our electric bills in winter won’t be in the $600-$800 range for January and February, a couple of solar water troughs where the panel won’t be kicked or messed with by horses and gets enough sun light, lots of oak slip board fencing for multiple paddocks, and 5 double run-in shelters in the paddocks that are not off of stalls in the barn.
Our strategy is to turn out all horses all day in large paddocks with shelter and water available. Most turnouts are big enough for 2 horses but at the moment we only have one paddock being used by 2 horses. Our two large pastures are used in season May – Oct and are off of 2 of the large double paddocks so the horses always have access to water and shelter.
Our biggest expense comes from the heated 100 gallon water troughs in the winter (I believe)and we had hoped the solar intallation would help a lot, but the short days and the snow cover have reduced the elecricity output to a pitiful amount (Janurary was still $750 bill). So we are now turning off the heat to the water troughs from afternoon until the next morning when I first get up in the morning (a hour before the horses come out. So far it has been easy enough to break up the ice from being off all night. I’ll let you know if this change makes a big difference for the February bill.
We buy our hay from a local farmer who will deliver (using our hay elevator) and we only buy 2nd cutting as we find the horses don’t like first cut and make a mess of it (the delivery cost component is the same) and we save on bedding when the horses eat up all their hay. We figure on 1/4 of a bale (45-50 lbs)per horse for each of 2 feedings (obviously more for bigger horses) and the grain varies by what the horse needs– all the horses on the farm are either perfect weight or a little fat.
We are also very conservative in determining the turnouts. We never put mares with geldings. We will put 2 horses in a large paddock if they appear to get along and we watch it to see if they continue to be a good match. In the past, we found 3 horses together doesn’t usually work– there’s always the odd man out. The horses that have their stalls open to the back paddocks are given pasture at night but only paddocks during the day; and the other boarded horses that are in stalls for the night– get first shot at the pastures during the day. All horses have access to water and shelter.
I really enjoy running the stable as there is always someone aroung to ride with and I get to meet a lot of people.
I am boarding right now but would like to start my own place . I live in NJ , I see different states have different laws on waste removel (poop) . having that information and what things really cost before I jump in . my plan is not to take on any more than 10 horses so if barn help doesnt show up I can manage on my own , I have seen it over and over again when owners/managers get overwhelemed when staff dont show . the horses loose out ! as for book large paper back I like to highlight things , $25.00
These comments are typical of many horse owners, they will spend more on a flashy halter than something that could improve a horses life. If I wrote a book on stable management it would start off with pictures of nasty barns and then explain how they started off as nice barns. If you do not make a profit your property will become nasty. Chapter two would explain in detail that most horse owners are over educated with the bad information, colic is preventable and there is no such thing as a hard keeper. Chapter 3 would explain standards of care. Letting boarders deworm and give vaccines is malpractice because it adversely affects the herd health. Chapter 4 would explain how and why hobby farms are high on the IRS audit list. What happens when a stable takes business deductions for three years and then the IRS labels them a hobby farm. Chapter 5 would list some lawsuits against stables: a horse chocks on feed mixed with beet pulp, boarder leaves a gate open, boarder brings dog and dog bites kid etc. Chapter 6 would explain how pasture grass is not free. Chapter 7 could explain how many horse owners love the idea of being a horse person but do not love his/her horse. I had no idea until I managed a vet clinic how many horse owners spend large sums of money on tack, truck, trailer, and clothes but go for the cheapest feed, dewormer, hay, boarding stables and forgo vet care. Dog owners get fecal checks annually to check for parasites, talking a horse owner in to a fecal check is almost impossible. Chapter 8 could explain how owning a horse is a luxury. This is the part that many stable owners cannot grasp. Why would you charge less to board a horse than a kennel charges to board a dog. Why would you spend less on vet care than the average dog owner. Why would you compete with others using price instead of quality…Owning a horse is a luxury, owning a horse is a luxury. If someone cannot afford to provide quality care for a horse, he/she should not own one.
Thank you, Joe Stable… excellent observations!
Joe Stable, On your “chapter 8″ I work in the vet field too, for every “wow, that bill is less than I expected” you get about 30 people who grumble about expense and 1 or two that either stare at you in shock or demand to get the bill reduced – and I work with dogs and cats.
Many people dread having the vet out for this reason especially when it’s $40-80 farm call. Last time my vet was out he quoted $80 for visit, exam and antibiotic. After a half hour at my place where he said “you really didn’t even need to call me, he’s just sore and you’ve done everything exactly as I would have” he charged me over $250. The bill included “bandaging” he used my materials and did such a sloppy job I had to rewrap it after he left :(
I’ve worked at a dog/cat vet and believe me, if you told the customers they could get cheaper care at a different clinic they would leave in DROVES. Just about every customer complains that their dog or cat costs too much. People spend more on dog vet care because it COSTS more than basic horse vet care. It costs more because their are more regulations and lawsuits.
Most livestock owners (horses are livestock) are more knowledgeable about their animals’ basic needs than the average dog/cat owner. They know how to give shots, dock tails, trim hooves, formulate diets, etc. and most only need a vet when an animal is sick, injured or needs blood work like coggins. This is a GOOD thing. Each of my dogs cost about $20/ month in food and heartworm meds, so the $150 yearly vet bill isn’t too hard to swallow.
Each horse costs $60 just in hay each month plus $20 in trimming ($40 bimonthly), $20 in sweet feed, $5 for worming, Red needs a new blanket this year ($100) Bud single handedly cost us over $500 last year just in broken fencing, chewed siding and fence reinforcements, Paul needs a new bridle his last broke while I was riding $20, Our electric bill for the month is over $200 because of the de-icer and will stay that way till March, He’ll need his coggins done again in March, and… god…. I have to stop before I realize any more costs my wallet is screaming at me. Don’t you DARE tell me that I am not providing quality care because I give shots myself, use the “cheap” vet and shop for better deals on my feed.
My horses are happy, healthy and they have a home for life. If you truly care about horses, you shouldn’t waste your energy berating people who are doing the best they can for their animals just because they think that you are charging too much for your product. Believe me a lower price does not mean less quality, especially in veterinary medicine!! it often just means less overhead.
The cheap equine vet in my area has a private practice of himself and his wife as receptionist. The expensive one has 2 vets, 12 techs and 4 assistants. They both charge more for vaccines than they cost. With laid back horses it is worth it to me to save the $5-10 per shot by doing it myself. It’s easy and how does it mean my horses have a lower quality of care?
A fewof things you might want to consider for topics:
-One of my biggest challenges has been price. Convicing my customers/potential customers of what they are paying for. I find customers have the perception that they are paying for a box stall, bedding, feed and hay and that’s it…they don’t seem to get that weaved into their board price is $$ for my time. For some reason customers seem to think they should just be paying for the cost of the horse to park its carcas in my barn and that my time doesn’t have a cost value “because I’d have to do it anyway for my own horses right”. My favorite question is “How come you charge so much, it doesn’t cost that much to keep a horse” Grrrr. I’m seriously considering putting a cost breakdown on the wall in the tack room with items like Stall Cleaning at -32 degrees $xx.xx per day and staying up til 3:00am with the vet (while your home sleeping or because I can’t find you) $xx.xx Some suggestions on justifying your board rate would be wonderful.
2. I have a very good contract that specifies in plain terms how much money I want for basic care, when that money is due and what I will do if I don’t get that money. My contract also specifies other services such as grooming, exercising, blanketing, administering worming and other medical items and scheduling vet, farrier services etc. it is clearly stated that those other services have a price tag over and above the basic care board fee and that they must be scheduled and paid for ahead of time. If you could share some of your insights on how you get you customers to take this type of thing seriously that would be great mine always seem to find a way to get something for nothing out of me and I’m not a push-over really I’m not.
3. My last one. Let’s face it long time boarders eventually become friends too, how do you deal with this when payments start coming late. I find this one very touchy I want to keep my long time boarder, I want to keep the friendship too but I don’t want to have to pay for it out of my pocket.
I’m not cynical really I’m not I go out of my way for my customers because I am grateful for their business and I love my boarding stable business, but at what point due you risk a mass exodis of trailers down your driveway running to another barn because they have been irked by you sticking to your boarding contract.
A bit of background. In my area there are several facilities from large with all the bells and whistles, to medium with some of the bells and whistles to small or private, I am in the latter category. The other two charge anywhere from $400 to $475 and a rare few in the $500 range for board. The folks in my category charge in the $225 to $270 range. Most of us are quite geographically close so competition for customers is pretty stiff.
I think a book would be a great idea!Although I would like to know the general cost of bording facilities and I would also like to know about the things to stay away from like the type of land,plants that grow nearby,and how much people should generaly charge for borders with and without indoor arenas. Also what type of people and horses that should be kept out of the barns…even though the horses have nothing to do with it,but the people/borders are the problem.A book on bording horses would be a great hit with horse people every where.
Yes! I would love to see a book like this. I would be sure to have lots of real barns and their real finances for others to learn from. I board and give lessons out of a rented facility. I would like to know about other unique situations.
Hi Ronaye, What perfect timing… I’m thinking of renting a barn expanding my herd and getting a few pasture boarders in. My biggest concerns are *insurance* how to research the best options and what is “required”.
Other areas I need to research
> the best fencing and where to get supplies.
> best pasture/manure practices
> how to negotiate large hay orders, find trust worthy hay dealers and how to test quality of hay
> how to qualify boarders and horses before moving them onto the property
Looking forward to your next book! :)
I would loove this book. It would be great to set up the Chapters for someone who has only ridden and never owned a horse to learn about everything you need to know to board your own horse/your first horse on your property and expand each section to deal with small/medium/and large boarding facilities. What are the differences in needs and policies.
I would love and appreciate help in this area.
A book outlining the do’s & don’ts and how to’s would be amazing. I am a land owner and wanting to set up boarding but would NEVER go half way. My children want horses too. I want to do it right and as you say…”horse people’ aren’t always very generous with their knowledge…
Yes, please write this book! (A standard book format, rather than an ebook, would be my preference.) On-line coaching would be helpful, too. I would love to have someone to ask questions like “What do you think I should be charging for daily bandage changes for a hoof abcess?”, for example. (It can be awkward to call your competitors for advice on some things…)
We have had a boarding stable for about 3 years. We are not a part of the horse industry in that we don’t compete or attend shows. We just board horses and give basic riding lessons. We spend a large amount of $$ on trying to fill the barn. Right now the economy is down and we have very few horses. We would like to know the most efficient way to get customers for our service.
This book would be great for first time boarders like me! My family wants to get our feet wet on boarding out other people’s horses at our place. We have the land and fencing, but not the information. Some of our friends have tried it, but they quit after a year. We previously had some friends keep their horses here when they were away, only on occasion though. I currently own three horses. Would the boarded horses stay with ours? (if the boarded horses had shots) or would (should) they be separate? Feed them all together or separate? Is there really a need for more boarding stables? I would buy the book! But I would pay no more then 50 for it. . .
This book would be great. Does anyone have a rough estimate on how many hours would be spent per day for one person to board 10 horses?
Thank You
About 10 minutes per horse to muck stall and replenish water. Another 15 minutes per horse to feed and add fresh bedding. Other feedings and turnouts need to be added on to the above times and are dependent on paddock/stable layout etc.
how much money do you get and how much money would you spend? I think that maybe i’ll start boarding horses too. I would be very interested in your book/dvd… and im sure alot of people too. I dont know if its possible for you but i know it would be a real succes if you could put your book on ibooks for the ipad. Your probably not gonna do that so, maybe just a book (i would not pay more than 20$).
alybaba :D
I have been considering this venture. My biggest question is whether it is better to find a facility with buildings already in place or is it better to start from scratch? I found a facility that seems like a good investment, but it’s expensive. At the same time, I feel like I could spend 3 times that to build a comparable facility.
What is involved if you start with empty land and build all buildings? What is required and what is optional and / or recommended?
Hi Ducky,
This is an excellent question, and rather than leaving my answer here, I created a blog post instead. You can find it at Should you buy an existing horse boarding facility or start from scratch. Let me know if the answer was helpful :)
Hi I have an oppertunity to lease a 4.5 acre stable with one outdoor one indoor arena, 12 single horse padocks, 20 indoor stalls and one large 1.5 acre paddock. I have managed a stable before. the arenas are in good shape,
the grounds are clean, but the stalls and paddocks need some tlc, would the owner be responcible for this before i took over or do i have to put in the cash before i even advertise for borders? Any comments are welcome! Thank you
Hi, I am in the planning phase for a horse boarding facility. I have concerns because I have a lot of book knowledge about horses, I have limited hands on experience. I am looking for a framework/guidelines on how to start…. I have placed adds for services to see if there is a need in my area but have not had many responses…what are other options… I will need to make a bit of a profit to keep up the facility… how do I make sure this happens…HELP!
I would love an ebook or dvd for under $30
I have been thinking about starting up my own boarding facility and running kids programs out of it on the side during the summers. Ive been a stable hand, assistant trainer, wrangler, and barn manager and am currently going to school for animal management. My biggest question are what are actually the costs?! Like how much hay do you need to supply for 20 horse a month? How much does building an indoor area cost? What kind of cost would someone be looking at for property with a barn already on it verse building your own barn, fencing it? All I seem to be able to find is that it costs a lot, no actual numbers? But the biggest question I have above all else is how do you fund your start up if you have no money to start with or how could you get a first time business owner grant? I really like your website it seem to really answer a lot of questions.
Manure management and disposal practices reflective of environmental concerns related to surface- and ground water protection, and compliance with the Clean Water Act and its amendments, would be very helpful.
Mine has always been if the stable is a little out of the way, in a private setting, not something relatively close to main drags and they have to be calm in the setting. The security of barn and stable area not only for my loved horse but for the workers and people visiting.
I wonder if I’m being too cautious for my own good. When I have a new client, I always wonder if my cautious is going to come off being too protective for my own good–I’m not only trying to protect the workers, myself, and the horses, but the owners also. Is too cautious a bad thing?
I am in the state of Iowa and am considering selling my horseboarding facility. We have a beautiful indoor and outdoor arena on 20acres just south of Des Moines. We have the operation and our own horses but not enough money to move it forward. We have made beautiful progress but need help. If we had the right person in the business we might have been able to make a go of it. Now it is just sitting costing us. If their was a book I am afraid it might be too late. For the right person this is a dream come true(my dream) but money has always been an issue for us. We have not pushed the boarding thing while we were creating it but now it is more than ready and yet we find ourselves needing to sell it yesterday…. any advice?
Hi Donni,
What kind of advice are you looking for? Are you looking at getting the business up and running and wondering where to start? Do you have any boarders currently?
If you give me a bit more direction, then maybe I can give you some pointers?
ttys!
Ronaye
yes that would be wonderful.
Do you have any specific questions?
i live in northern Alabama & am looking to purchase / start a boarding facility. i have 25 yrs hands on experience & much book knowledge about horses but my main concern in this “adventure” is the cost. what kind of grants or loans are out there? i have researched this area & there are lots of horses & horse people but not many facilities where people can board. im not looking to make a huge profit, i just want to provide my knowledge & assistance to people & horses in need. I DON’T however, want to sell my right leg just to have to close the doors in a year. thank you for any help :)
I have better news we are not selling and are making a point to get out to the stables we live 20 min away. So yes I would be interested in your book. Hard Copy is nice but a ebooki or ibook-(did not know they were called that.)would be awesome, too. I am sure our library would love to have one also. I do not have boarders but we do have an indoor and out door arena. I would like to get people out there but have not been advertising lately. We just dropped our boarding insurance, so we would love to see your book I am sure. Let me know when you do it. And I vote under $30 at least maybe cheaper depending how much you put in it. Ebooks and Ibooks less.?? Thanks.
I would love to see some extra info regarding dealing with “out of the norm” horses like stallions, pregnant mares, mares with foals, weanlings/yearlings. Things like policies, pricing differences, safety issues, etc.
hello if the person that is suposed tobe the ownerof horse dosent pay anything for her over a year and when she was brought to me she was very abbused and starved i spent every day try to win her trust it took me about a year for her to trust me 100percent now the abbuser took her the other day and sold her didnt say anything to me i havent even herd from this guy in 8 months can he do this?what are my rights i want my lady back i have no idea where she is and if they are even feedingher please let me no what to do uits drivingme crazy ilove her
thank you
Hi Rosa,
Did you have a contract in place with this fellow? If you don’t have contracts in place then unfortunately you leave yourself wide open to situations like these without recourse.
An affordable Ebook sounds great! Some issues I’ve run into in thinking about boarding for friends is hidden costs (ie, extra electric to run the well pump, or tank heaters, fans ect) and especially my insurance and liability. As I’ve read, by boarding a horse, it puts me in to a different category from my own personal horse keeping to commercial status…even if I don’t make any profit. Also there is the concern over drafting contracts and also drafting & posting any state required forms/waivers/signage etc. It has definitely been a lot of work trying to cover all the contingencies… still working on it, would LOVE a book to help!
I may be off here because the topic is a book on starting a boarding facility. I would love to know what happens to the family who can not afford to keep a horse, but they always seem to have 5. I have been watching this horse community It is crazy. I know so many families who come to every horse show, have a trailer, show clothes and the likes of any tack Imaginable. They spare no expense to pay a trainer to get the horse show ready, they take lessons, they even board these horses, Now here comes the kicker…. They are broke. I am not singling out a single family, but a community of horse people who pay so much more to have horses and they don’t take care of their selves, I just cant wrap my head around the idea of having horses and not be able to afford anything else.
THis would be awesome. I’m a vet tech student and this is my long term goal after I receive my degree. Main points I would appreciate would be 1)Start up costs 2) What is necessary and what is just nice to have and could be added later? 3)What should be included in your basic care cost and what would be extra? 4)THe best way to handle vet and farrier bills with the owners 5)How to handle trouble horses or trouble owners 6) What to include in your boarding contract that is usually left out 7) Trainers and how to find good ones.
I’m sure I’ll have more but these are just a few. I would spend a hefty penny on a book or an ebook that contains all the information to start it from the ground up. THanks