Extra Stalls, Extra Cash
(Page 3 of 4)
NEW HORSE CHECK-IN
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The client is responsible for grooming, worming,
vaccinations and hoof trims, but you need to get the names
and telephone numbers of the veterinarian and farrier. Ask
about the horse's diet. If you're providing pasture and the
horse hasn't been on grass, it will need a gradual
introduction. Get telephone numbers for the client and at
least one emergency contact for when the client is
unavailable.
ROUTINE
Designate separate water buckets fen each stall. I clean
the buckets weekly and use a bleach rinse monthly. If you
use a hose to fill buckets or water troughs, never allow it
to contact the container or the water inside: A
contaminated hose can pass disease.
Horses thrive on routine. Turn them in and out and feed
them at the same times every day. It's also good business
to clean the stalls daily. We bed with fir shavings because
fir has no oils that ran cause allergic reactions in
horses. Our two additional horses added only 20 minutes to
my daily chore tune. During the summer we leave the horses
in their pastures, only bringing them in for their two
feedings. This allows the stalls to dry, discouraging mold
and bacteria growth. If there's a heavy rainstorm, I bring
the horses in that night.
BOOKKEEPING
Have an attorney approve a
contract for your boarders to sign. (See "Contract for
Horse Boarding," Page 89.) If your state's Equine Activity
Statute requires a signed release, include it with the
contract. Start a file for each stall and keep all
pertinent information. Consult an accountant for a complete
list of tax-deductible expenses. Using separate bins to
store boarders' grain helps track the number of sacks you
use. Feed from separate hay bales and keep count. We board
in two of our five stalls, so I charge two-fifths of the
bedding expense to the business.
MARKETING
You don't need to spend much money on marketing. Most feed
stores have bulletin boards where you can hang a poster.
Check tack and western-apparel shops for similar boards.
Put up a sign near your place. The look of your sign and
posters reflects the professionalism of your business. Our
sign says "Horse Boarding," and gives our telephone number.
It sits on a post at the head of the road. When people
call, give them a brief explanation of your services and
invite them to visit.
