How to Open a Horse Boarding Stable

People are willing to pay a lot to ensure that their horses are well cared for at a boarding stable. Owning and operating one is a time consuming, labor intensive occupation. However, it can offset the expense of maintaining your own horses as a small business, or it can generate profit for the more serious entrepreneur. Here are a few steps to follow to get started.

Instructions

1. Research the competition in your area. Visit existing boarding stables and find out how much they charge clients each month for basic services, such as stall cleaning and feeding. Also find out what they charge for full service, which can include turnout, training, hoof care and deworming.

2. Find out what zoning regulations apply to your property. Ask what permits you'd need to build facilities and keep a large number of animals. Then call your insurance agent and discuss liability insurance. Even if you only board one horse, your homeowner's insurance probably won't cover an accident. You should carry enough insurance to cover the most expensive horse you board.

3. Accumulate enough capital to renovate or build your facility, and to get by until your business starts turning a profit. You can charge more if your barn has an indoor arena that can be used year-round. However, you'll need extra startup funds to build one. If you live in an area where the winters are mild, access to trails and an outdoor arena may be enough to compensate. Use your knowledge of your competitors' facilities to determine how much to charge boarders and whom you'll market to.

4. Learn everything you can about horses. Prior experience on a someone else's farm is helpful. Owners will expect you to be able to recognize illness, adjust diets and give advice on everything from what kind of bit to use to whether their child has any chance of becoming an Olympic-grade equestrian. Like a landlord, you'll also have to resolve any disputes between boarders and evict those who don't pay.

5. Hire your staff carefully and pay competitive wages. Remember that your stall cleaner's main duty is to scoop the poop, but she may be the only person to look in on some of the horses every day. She should be able to spot a sick or depressed horse and care enough to report it immediately.

6. Incorporate your business as soon as you think you can. It's relatively inexpensive and it protects your personal assets should a client ever sue you.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider running a specialty boarding stable. For example, you could provide facilities for geriatrics, broodmares and foals or just for stallions. Not every stable has to offer lessons and employ a staff of trainers.