Boarding horses

theloneappy · 01-09-2006, 02:56 PM

Now this was my fiances idea. Shocking isn't it?

We were at a friends place, and the happen to board horses. Ryan got talking with the owner and about boarding horses and what not. I wasn't paying attaintion was helping with some horses. On the way home outta the blue he says "How about we build a barn and board some horses?"

I am all fine and dandy about this. Just shocked the heck outta me.

Now heres the question. Do you think it would be better business to build a riding arena as well as the barn? We live in north dakota just for referance. He doesn't think we need it but I thought it would be more attractive to possible borders

Also it would go towards the idea I wanted to do. Which is offering some type of riding for the disabled. We live about 15 miles from the Anne Carlson Center for mental handicapped children. Does anyone think these are pipe dreams or should we try and go for it?

Thanks all

Malauree

EquineAlberta · 01-09-2006, 03:00 PM

Things to consider:

1) Is there demand in your area?
2) How much to insure for the services you want to offer, and what requirements will you have to live up to? (many barns do not insure...insane in my opinion).
3) Are you prepared for the loss of privacy and having strangers around your horses?

Karen2

QuartersAllTheWay · 01-09-2006, 03:05 PM

When we were looking to board, we would look at the arenas as well as the barn. They always help. North dakota, it would be good to have an indoor. So people could ride year round. They can be expensive to build. But I think riding arenas in or out would help a lot.

allison · 01-09-2006, 03:08 PM

I think having an areana is a big key to a boarding facility. If you're like me, I could keep all of my horses at home, but there's no arena to ride in, just pastures. So that's why I board. It's important to me because I show, and they need to be ridden frequently, not just when the weather is good.

TheUpNorthCowgirl · 01-09-2006, 04:48 PM

I offer boarding services as I have 4 barns of various sizes. There is not much of a demand for it in my area, but I got a call two or three days ago from a woman wanting to board 7 horses here in a long term agreement!!

I certainly don't have room for seven more...only a couple. So, Im tying to find someone in the area who can take them all or at least part of them, but no one else boards.

Boarding is a worth while venture if you are in the right area. I was considering putting in an arena as well. I'd love to be able to ride somewhere snow free! So If you have the resources and there is some sort of demand go for it! It could be fun AND profitable

QuartersAllTheWay · 01-09-2006, 04:50 PM

TheUpNorthCowgirl wow 4 barns, that would be great.

TheUpNorthCowgirl · 01-09-2006, 04:58 PM

It's not so great when it comes time to muck stalls.

Rebecca · 01-10-2006, 11:18 AM

If I boarded my horses I would hope the place had an arena.
It would not have to be an indoor arena, though that would be a great draw.
I would assume the person boarding the horse would ride their horse on the premises, not trailer it another place.
Having a safe place to ride would make all the difference.
I am sure some people would prefer some kind of trail, pasture or quiet road to ride on.
But I feel it would be nice to have a safe place to ride without the worry of soft spots, or holes when the horse is running.

mandelyn82 · 01-10-2006, 12:25 PM

Here's what I ask when I call about boarding, in this order:

1) What sort of flooring do the stalls have?

2) How much pasture space is there? Quality for grass growth?

3) Riding arena? Indoor or outdoor?

4) Round pen? What size?

5) Trails?

Then I go into price, full care or partial, the type of feed and hay provided and how many times a day, or if I have to provide it myself. If I have to do my own stall, I ask how many boarders also are doing that, and how many wheel barrows they have for use. One place I had to show up late and do stalls at 9pm or so, to avoid the 'barrow line.

Then you need to think about how many horses you'll board, your barn rules, parking, insurance, contracts, if you'll offer full care or partial care... and so on.

Oh the day I can have my own facility...

01-09-2006, 02:56 PM
theloneappy Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 712	Boarding horses Now this was my fiances idea. Shocking isn't it? We were at a friends place, and the happen to board horses. Ryan got talking with the owner and about boarding horses and what not. I wasn't paying attaintion was helping with some horses. On the way home outta the blue he says "How about we build a barn and board some horses?" I am all fine and dandy about this. Just shocked the heck outta me. Now heres the question. Do you think it would be better business to build a riding arena as well as the barn? We live in north dakota just for referance. He doesn't think we need it but I thought it would be more attractive to possible borders Also it would go towards the idea I wanted to do. Which is offering some type of riding for the disabled. We live about 15 miles from the Anne Carlson Center for mental handicapped children. Does anyone think these are pipe dreams or should we try and go for it? Thanks all Malauree

01-09-2006, 03:00 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,682	Things to consider: 1) Is there demand in your area? 2) How much to insure for the services you want to offer, and what requirements will you have to live up to? (many barns do not insure...insane in my opinion). 3) Are you prepared for the loss of privacy and having strangers around your horses? Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

01-09-2006, 03:05 PM
QuartersAllTheWay Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 854	When we were looking to board, we would look at the arenas as well as the barn. They always help. North dakota, it would be good to have an indoor. So people could ride year round. They can be expensive to build. But I think riding arenas in or out would help a lot.

01-09-2006, 03:08 PM
allison Started Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kenosha, WI. Posts: 2,133	I think having an areana is a big key to a boarding facility. If you're like me, I could keep all of my horses at home, but there's no arena to ride in, just pastures. So that's why I board. It's important to me because I show, and they need to be ridden frequently, not just when the weather is good. __________________ Horses & Horsepower www.freewebs.com/mustangali_/ "...just like computers refuse to understand how I'm feeling today"

01-09-2006, 04:48 PM
TheUpNorthCowgirl Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 1,022	I offer boarding services as I have 4 barns of various sizes. There is not much of a demand for it in my area, but I got a call two or three days ago from a woman wanting to board 7 horses here in a long term agreement!! I certainly don't have room for seven more...only a couple. So, Im tying to find someone in the area who can take them all or at least part of them, but no one else boards. Boarding is a worth while venture if you are in the right area. I was considering putting in an arena as well. I'd love to be able to ride somewhere snow free! So If you have the resources and there is some sort of demand go for it! It could be fun AND profitable __________________ Hahahaha!

01-09-2006, 04:50 PM
QuartersAllTheWay Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 854	TheUpNorthCowgirl wow 4 barns, that would be great.

01-09-2006, 04:58 PM
TheUpNorthCowgirl Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Upper Michigan Posts: 1,022	It's not so great when it comes time to muck stalls. __________________ Hahahaha!

01-10-2006, 11:18 AM
Rebecca Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: East Texas Posts: 2,800	If I boarded my horses I would hope the place had an arena. It would not have to be an indoor arena, though that would be a great draw. I would assume the person boarding the horse would ride their horse on the premises, not trailer it another place. Having a safe place to ride would make all the difference. I am sure some people would prefer some kind of trail, pasture or quiet road to ride on. But I feel it would be nice to have a safe place to ride without the worry of soft spots, or holes when the horse is running.

01-10-2006, 12:25 PM
mandelyn82 Coming two Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ft. Campbell, KY Posts: 1,970	Here's what I ask when I call about boarding, in this order: 1) What sort of flooring do the stalls have? 2) How much pasture space is there? Quality for grass growth? 3) Riding arena? Indoor or outdoor? 4) Round pen? What size? 5) Trails? Then I go into price, full care or partial, the type of feed and hay provided and how many times a day, or if I have to provide it myself. If I have to do my own stall, I ask how many boarders also are doing that, and how many wheel barrows they have for use. One place I had to show up late and do stalls at 9pm or so, to avoid the 'barrow line. Then you need to think about how many horses you'll board, your barn rules, parking, insurance, contracts, if you'll offer full care or partial care... and so on. Oh the day I can have my own facility... __________________ "The more people I meet the more I love my German Shepherd"