How to Run a Horse Boarding Facility

The best horse boarding facility is one that provides a safe and spacious area for horses and their owners. Amenities of a boarding facility may be box stalls with covered paddocks, access to trails, an arena, separate tack room, shower stalls, and a trainer in residence. Running one can allow you to make a living while working with your favorite hobby!

Instructions

1. Have a feeding and mucking schedule that you maintain. Do this yourself or with reliable hired hands. Twice daily feeding and up to twice daily mucking of stalls is average. Horses should have a plaque on their stall (or posted on a dry/erase board in the feed room) denoting any special supplements or feed/hay they are to receive. Personally check on the horses yourself each day. Exceed minimum expectations in order to stand out in the minds of customers and best take care of the horses.

2. Make sure your barn equipment is running well. Automatic water pipes should always be functioning without leaks. Electricity should be checked in the barn. Fences should be regularly mended. The arena should be kept clear of rocks.

3. Keep a tidy tack room for the boarders. Keep a bulletin board for notes they may want to leave for each other or for you. However, so that privacy of yourself and your customers is observed, have a mailbox set up for personal notes to you. Also set up a phone number that you can designate for boarding concerns. Customers are trusting you with their beloved horses. Be available frequently to answer questions and address concerns.

4. Have new boarders sign a rental agreement and a liability/hold harmless waiver when they begin boarding with you. Both of you should sign this. This protects you in case your boarder gets hurt in your facility. It protects your boarder in case her horse injures you or others in the barn. Demand on-time payment of board at the first of every month. Your rental agreement should stipulate late fees and other consequences of overdue bills.

5. Order hay and feed for delivery monthly. Schedule routine vet and farrier visits. Bringing in trainers for occasional clinics is a nice touch.

Tips & Warnings

• Having horse experience is helpful, especially during medical emergencies that may occur.