You may have decided to take on a boarder to have someone help with the horses and the chores around the barn. Trading board for chores can be a great arrangement with the right person, but be careful. All too often, the boarder starts out with great enthusiasm, but soon grows tired of the work and you are stuck doing the chores and taking care of their horse.
If your boarder wants to trade chores for board, establish a dollar value for each chore every day that it needs to be done. At the end of the month, calculate the boarder's bill by deducting the value of the work the person does from the board bill. Whatever the outstanding balance is, the boarder is expected to pay it. This way, everyone benefits if the boarder does the chores and you are protected financially if they don't.
As a general rule, the nicer your facility and the more services you provide, the higher you can set your boarding rates. Expect to charge slightly less than a public stable that offers similar services. And be sure you can make at least a minimal profit on each horse that you board.
Establishing Expectations
The biggest key to successful boarding is establishing realistic expectations. These expectations work both ways: What can your boarders expect from you and what do you expect from your boarders? It is important to define these expectations in writing. You cannot assume that your boarders will meet your expectations unless you tell them what you expect. Likewise, you want to be sure that your boarders don't expect you to provide services that you have not defined.
Write out, in detail, exactly what services you will provide. Be specific. Answer questions that you expect a boarder to ask. How often will the horses be fed? How often will the stalls be cleaned? What is your worming policy? Do you allow boarders to bring their dogs on the property?
When you are finished, your boarders should be able to read this document and know exactly what you will do and what care their horses will receive. The objective is to have the list so comprehensive that the boarders will understand that you only perform services that are on the list.
Then make a list of the expectations you have of your boarders. Again, be specific. You may want to start the list with "Boarders are expected to pay their bill before the 10th day of the month." Do you expect boarders to clean the wash rack after they are finished? Do you want 30 days' notice before boarders move their horses? Think about everything you expect from a boarder and include it on the list. You can't get upset later if your boarder violates an unspoken rule.
Be sure that your boarders receive a copy of both lists. You may include it as part of your boarding contract or give it to your boarders as a separate document. Work with your attorney to develop a boarding contract that describes the agreement between you and your boarders. Add to that a release of liability that anyone who's going to be riding or handling horses on your property must sign.
Selecting Your Boarders
One of the key factors in running a successful boarding business is to select the right clients. Often, people who open boarding businesses at home begin by boarding their friends' horses. It is great to be able to have your friends at the barn, but be careful. You are adding a business relationship to your friendship.
Don't take anything for granted. Have a signed boarding agreement between you, even if you are best friends. It clarifies the relationship and can reduce the risk of trouble in the future.
When interviewing people you don't know, spend some time talking to them. Don't just quote a price and tell them if you have an open stall. Find out what sort of services they want. Ask how long they have had horses. What do they do with them?
Try to determine if the services you provide will meet this person's expectations. It is better to ask what they are looking for in a boarding facility than to just tell them what you offer. You want to gather enough information to decide if your services will meet their needs.
You also need to get a feel for a potential client. Is this someone you would like to have around your barn? Does their philosophy of horse keeping seem to be compatible with yours? If you plan to leave the horse in the pasture most of the time and clean stalls once a week, you don't want to board a horse that the owner wants kept in a stall 20 hours a day. Similarly, be sure you're comfortable with how they handle their horse or how well they ride.
You also should tell a prospective boarder about yourself. Discuss your experience level with horses. Explain the barn's daily routine. Give people the information they need to decide if your facility fits their needs, and be honest. You only want boarders who are looking for the services you provide. The better explanation you give of your services and facilities, the better chance you have of finding the right boarder. Let them know your rules regarding having friends come to ride, hours they can come to the barn, holiday schedules and so forth.
If you decide, for whatever reason, that you do not feel comfortable with this person or if you feel that your facility will not meet their needs, do not hesitate to tell them that your facility will not meet their needs. Try to recommend other facilities. It is very important to understand that not everyone who contacts you will be happy at your barn.
Keys to Success
The most important key to running a successful boarding business is to establish expectations and live up to them. Consistently meeting expectations allows your boarders to trust you. And trust is the key to all successful business relationships.
Remember that the services you provide will not be suitable for every person who owns a horse. You can't be everything to everyone. Don't even try. Instead, find boarders who genuinely want the services you can provide.
Trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable with a prospective boarder, send them somewhere else. It is better to lose a possible boarder than bring in someone you don't feel good about.
Enjoy your boarders. Make them your friends, but never forget that you are running a business and that these people are your valued clients. Treat them as such.
If you follow these guidelines, you are on your way to making horse boarding an enjoyable experience for you and the people who board with you.
