How to Start a Horse Business

There are many horse related businesses

Many experienced horse people dream of one day turning their love of horses into a thriving business. There are many business opportunities in the business world, from boarding facilities and horse trainers to farriers, and tack shop owners. Each type of business requires its own set of skills, so it is important to focus your energies where they are likely to have the best results.

Things You'll Need

• Suitable facility
• Horse experience
• Advertising materials

Instructions

1. If you are an experienced horse show competitor who has trained your own horses, you can spread the word that you are accepting a limited number of outside horses for training. Others who know your work might be very inclined to take you up on your offer.

   If you have a large barn and only a few horses you can take in boarders to make extra money. Just make sure that all boarders sign a liability waiver and standard boarding contract. There are a number of standard boarding contracts available for download on the Internet (See Resources).

2. Consider starting your business on a part-time basis before you quit your day job. It can be costly to get a new horse business off the ground, and starting on a part-time basis will give you a chance to gauge the need for the services and products you plan to provide.

   If you plan to open a tack shop, you might way to make a deal with the management of a local horse show facility and bring a trailer full of tack to their next show. Horse show competitors often find themselves in need of extra equipment, so a show is a great place to sell basic tack items like cinches, girths and bits. A mobile tack shop business also helps you avoid the high rents and startup costs of a traditional shop.

3. Create eye catching and compelling promotional materials to get the word out about your business. Go to your local print shop and have colorful flyers made, or design your own on your computer. Create business cards with colorful graphics and photographs of horses or your barn for a boarding stable.

4. Take your business cards and flyers and post them at places where horse owners congregate. Some ideas include horse shows, tack shops and feed stores--just be sure to get the permission of the store owner before posting your materials.

References

• Equine Marketing Services

Resources

• Equine Contracts