Is there a business i can make out of horses.

[domsmith]

I am lookning at my current business of farming and thinking about what i want to do in the future. The last 8 weeks have been totally absorbed by horses and i was thinking is there away to add that to my business.

I have 3 stables one is rented out but no arena just fields. the livery side looks frought with pitfalls but i would not right off.
i would have no objection building more stables or converting building, but i am in the back water of dumfriesshire is there a market.

is there anything else i could do?

any ideas or warning would be appreciated.
dominic

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Retirement livery ? Or specialise in a rehab livery or a yard based on laminitic friendly care. I would travel a fair distance out of my way for yard that offered something I needed for a particular horse.

 

[domsmith]

Retirement livery ? Or specialise in a rehab livery or a yard based on laminitic friendly care. I would travel a fair distance out of my way for yard that offered something I needed for a particular horse.

Now thats something, what do people do for retirements. what would be a realistic rate for full board. even the laminitic could work i have some small fields and plenty of sheep to keep the grass down if required.

thanks

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Yard I visited does retirement grass livery and basic charge is £30 p/w plus farrier/vet/worming etc. Owners get a weekly email with photo's.

 

[Superhot]

What about riding holidays, people bring going their own horses etc, or could you offer specialist training days/weekends??

 

[Caol Ila]

There are, as far as I could tell, noooo livery yards in your area until you get to Thornhill in one direction and Cumnock in the other. Don't know if there is a market for one, but you're definitely located in a livery yard vacuum.

 

[domsmith]

Yard I visited does retirement grass livery and basic charge is £30 p/w plus farrier/vet/worming etc. Owners get a weekly email with photo's.

I am not sure yet of my winter costing, but the girl that stays here can use 2 bags of shaving a week which is £16 then hay. that sounds tight for cost at £30 or am i missing something.
i take it they need bxing at night and turnout during the day.

 

[domsmith]

There are, as far as I could tell, noooo livery yards in your area until you get to Thornhill in one direction and Cumnock in the other. Don't know if there is a market for one, but you're definitely located in a livery yard vacuum.

There are not thousands of people betweeen those 2 towns and i wondered if there would be the business.

My main worry about livery is i hear lots of bad things about how difficult people can be and problems. i know you get it in all business but is it any worse in horses.

to ask another question, what the cost of livery. DIY and full. never looked into before.

thanks

dominic

 

[Orangehorse]

You need to do some research to find out what local yards charge - if there are any local yards. If, as you say, you are not near a town, then what demand is there going to be?

A livery yard does not have to be a problem. You can employ someone to run it and let them deal with the day to day problems. If you are setting up from scratch, then ask horse owners what they would look for in an ideal yard, e.g. plenty of storage space for their gear and feed, good parking and turn area for horseboxes, what sort of turnout - mares and gelding separate, all year round, summer fields and winter fields, or even 24/7 for some. Your should provide well managed grass fields, no weeds, regularly topped and kept in good condition, and safe, well maintained fences and buildings.

Retirement livery could mean all horses kept without shoes - although regularly trimmed to keep their feet in good order - and in a herd situation with a well bedded barn for winter nights, and shelter from summer flies.

Riding holidays for repeated business would be quite a lot of input from you. Having good accommodation for horse and rider, and details of suitable routes. Leisure riders are not as gung-ho as hunting people, and they are in unfamiliar riding country. Generally people do not like to transport their horses much more than 2 hours to a holiday destination.