horse boarding operations - what is involved?
DESCRIPTION
My Horse University/eXtension Horse Quest live webcast on operating horse boarding facilities. Presented by Kristen Wilson, University of Maryland Extension.TRANSCRIPT
My Horse University and eXtension’s HorseQuest welcome you to this live Webcast.
Horse Boarding Operations: What is Involved?
Kristen WilsonExtension Horse Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
Meet our presenter:
Kristen WilsonExtension Horse SpecialistUniversity of Maryland Extension
Jennifer ReynoldsUniversity of Maryland
Question facilitator:
(American Horse Council, 2005)
U.S. Horse Industry
• Goods and services valued at $38.8 billion
• 460,000 FTE jobs annually
• 9.2 million horses
• 4.6 million people are involved in the industry (not including spectators)
Facts To Consider
• Requires a considerable amount of knowledge and experience
• May result in a loss of privacy on the farm
• Must be able to deal with a variety of personalities
• Liability issues may be a major concern
• Expect to work 365 days/year
Is There A Need?
1. Current horse population
2. Current boarding operations and spaces occupied
3. Demand in area and the growth potential of the industry
What’s Involved?
• Daily care of horses• Pasture management• Building and facility maintenance• Equipment maintenance• Customer service• Personnel management
• Payroll• Insurance and liability issues• Accounts payable and receivable• Marketing• Inventory control
Are You Prepared?
1. Why do you really want to do this?
2. What are the goals for the business?
3. Define success
Business Plan
A business plan is a document that summarizes the operational and financial objectives of a business and contains the detailed plans and budgets showing how
the objectives are to be realized
Parts of a Business Plan
1. Services Offered
2. Marketing Plan
3. Customer Service
4. Resources Needed
5. Safety Concerns
Parts of a Business Plan
6. Nutrition/Feeding Requirements
7. Health Program
8. Contracts & Agreements
9. Finances
10. Legal and Risk Issues
Part 1: Identify Services Offered
• Types of boarding services:
– Pasture Board
– Stall Board
• Think outside of the box!!
– Extra Benefits
– Additional Services
Extra Benefits / Additional ServicesExtra Benefits• Vet Care• Grooming• Holding fee for farrier or vet• Care of sick/hurt horses• Blanketing• Clipping• Tack cleaning
Additional Services• Riding lessons• Riding facilities• Horse training• Breeding services• Hauling horses• Horse sales• In-house horse shows• Field trips• Birthday parties• Lecture series
Part 2: Marketing Plan
• Location, location, location• Techniques:
– Logo, sign– Business cards– Website– Advertising in local publications– Open houses– Flyers
Part 3: Customer Service• Facility should make
favorable impression on clients
• Remember your clients are the people and the horses
• Be ready to deal with multiple personalities
• Communicate!!• Be available and have
additional staff as needed
Part 4: Identify Resources Needed
• Fencing
• Pasture
• Facilities
• Customer Needs
Fencing
• Type of fencing safe for horses• Should be sturdy, visible and durable• 4 ½ to 5 feet high• Bottom of fence and gaits should be 8 –
12 inches off the ground• No sharp edges, narrow corners or
projections
Types of Fencing to Consider
Pasture
• Stocking Rates• Utilize sacrifice area• Rotational grazing systems• Management considerations:
– Avoid over or under grazing– Soil Test, fertilize and lime as needed– Identify weeds and poisonous plants– Choose plant species wisely
Facilities
• Housing requirements– Run-in shed – 90 to 150 sq ft per
animal– Stall – 12ft x 12ft
• Flooring• Ventilation• Manure Management
– Composting vs. Hauling Away
Customer Needs
• Clean restroom facilities in barn
• Telephone
• Space for tack and equipment
• Area for riding
• Landscaping / Aesthetics
Part 5: Safety Concerns• Inspect and evaluate frequently• Establish barn rules and post them• Recommended practices:
– Safety trainings– Regular maintenance of facilities and
equipment– Install fencing around perimeter of property– Fence hazardous areas– Store chemicals in secure areas
Common Barn Rules1. No smoking.2. No dogs.3. Clean up poop left by your horse.
4. Don’t use others’ property.5. Close all gates and stall doors.6. Respect hours of operation.7. All children must be supervised.8. No speeding in the driveway!9. All riders must sign a release form before riding.10. Wear an ASTM/SEI certified helmet.
(Stable Management Magazine, August 2010)
Part 6: Nutrition Requirements
• Feeding program should be tailored to meet nutritional requirements of each horse
• Management tips:– Establish and maintain feeding schedule– Horses consume 2 to 2.5% of b.w./ per day– At least 50% of diet should be from forages– Provide fresh water
Part 7: Health Program
• Generally responsibility of horse owner• Establish an emergency plan of action• Management tips:
– Require health certificate, negative coggins test and isolate new horses
– Vaccination program– Deworming program– Record keeping
Part 8: Contracts & Agreements
• Have written contracts and agreements
• Boarding agreement should include:– Description of horse– What services are included– When fees and charges must be paid– List who is responsible for each area of horse care– Termination– Risk of loss– Right of lien – Waiver of liability
Part 9: Finances
• Decide on rates of services
• Identify expenses
• Develop a sample budget
• Bookkeeping
Rates of Service
• Dependent on industry and market demands
• Price realistically
• Use caution when bartering or offering “in kind” compensation to employees
General Expenses
• Feed• Hay • Bedding• Labor costs• Pasture management
costs
More Expenses To Consider
• Utilities• Insurance• Advertising• Office Supplies• Taxes• Licenses and fees• Accountant fees• Horse trailer expense
• Payroll taxes and benefits• Workman’s comp• Maintenance and improvements to
equipment and facilities• Vehicle expense • Mortgage / Rent
Budget
• Unique to your operation and location
• Costs differ depending on business location and availability of supplies
• Keep business goals and objectives in mind
• Stick to budget
• Research! Research! Research!
Sample Budgets
• Virginia Tech - http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/446/446-048/446-048.html
• Penn State University – http://agalternatives.aers.psu.edu/Publications/horses.pdf
Bookkeeping
• Record every transaction
• Take time to categorize each transaction
• Track income and expenses
• Re-evaluate the financial situation often
Part 10: Legal & Risk Issues
• Insurance
• Licensing
• Form of Business Entity
• Environmental and Zoning Regulations
Insurance: Things to Consider
• Financial stability of the business• Value of horses• Level of risk• Level of personal involvement• Likelihood of experiencing a covered
loss while insured
Insurance Policies• Commercial liability
• Fire and theft
• Property
• Care, custody and control policy
• Individual horse policies
• Workers’ Comp
MDA –Licensing Policy
• MHIB inspects and licenses stables
• Five or more horses rule
• Fee: $125
• Contact information:
www.marylandhorseindustry.org
(410) 841 - 5861
Business Entity
• Several forms of doing business
• Becoming a corporation ensures:– Separates business from personal
assets
– Only operation’s assets are at risk
– Lower taxation rates on income
Environmental and Zoning Regulations
• County Zoning Ordinances– Restrictions on land use, horse density, horse
facilities including shelter requirements, manure disposal, horse disposal, etc.
– Contact County Planning and Zoning Office
• Soil and Water Conservation Plan
• Nutrient Management Plan
Conclusions• Profits can be low
• Hard work and dedication
• Business mentality
• Re-evaluate what your doing often
• Continually educate yourself
• Success doesn’t happen overnight
• “It’s not necessarily a good living, but it’s a good lifestyle.”
Helpful Resources
Complete Guide for Horse Business
Success (2nd Edition)
by Janet English
Horsekeeping on a Small Acreageby Cherry Hill
Additional Resources
Soil Conservation Districthttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/home
eXtension Horses –http://www.extension.org/horses
Land Grant Universities
State Horse Industry Board and/or Horse Council
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Upcoming Webcasts
• Managing Live Horse EventsMarch 27 | 7PM EDT
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• Pasture RotationMay 1 | 7PM EDT
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