Multiple Horse Discount

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Tia

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I've always offered multi-horse discount on my livery stables. Anyone owning 2 or more horses receive a discount. Most of my multi-people have 2 horses and I give them 25 off their monthly bill.

What about someone who has 5 horses, although for 1 horse (foal) I will not be charging anything for a few months? Should they just be given the 25 per couple of horses, in which case they would have a discount of 50 for the 4 paying horses, or do you think the discount should be greater since they have so many horses here?
 
Well not really; I try to keep my prices low but I provide an all-inclusive package with all farrier bills paid by me and all worming costs aswell as all feed, hay, bedding and care; obviously this is figured into their bill, but there isn't a whole load left over.

I just think, if it were me and I had 5 horses, would I expect more than 50 bucks discount each month? Mind you if it were me, I'd expect to pay for the foal, so I don't know.
 
Wish our yard gave a multi horse discount! They won't entertain it. But it's too nice a place to leave over a few quid here and there.
 
Amazed you give a multi-horse discount at all TBH - you are running a business and that space could just as easily be filled at full price by someone who has only one horse.
 
I have only been at one yard where the offered a discount - it was utterly awful and they had a mega high turnover of liveries.

I think if you offered them 10% discount off their overall bill (if you feel you have to discount at all) then they'd be quite happy.
 
I wouldn't expect more discount especially when your not charging anything for the foal at the end of the day you have to make some money from it
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I know, but their bill is over a thousand a month and I think that perhaps 50 bucks off that figure is maybe a little stingy? Having said that, I'm pretty sure they are chosing livery because of the impending hay situation this winter. I include top quality hay and don't raise my prices to cover it as we make it, so I know it will save them a fair whack by not having to buy hay in at the prices they are likely to be this year.
 
I don't have a high turnover of people. Most of them come and tell me they are looking to buy their own land and will only be here temporarily; however what actually happens is, most of them have been here since day dot when I opened the yard 3 or 4 years ago and they never seem to leave unless they sell the horse. I'm, once again, very lucky with my liveries.
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Stingy? You're letting the foal stay for nothing, you are giving them a discount that plenty of other yards wouldn't and you provide hay at no extra cost - MORE than generous IMO.
 
I think that giving them $50 off of their bill is more than enough. They choose to have that many horses and therefore pay for the costs incurred.
 
Do you really think so? I obviously don't want to give too much off as one horse is a heavyweight draft so I know fine well he will probably cost me more than I charge. I'm just trying to be fair but obviously can't give away too much as then I'd not be making much profit.
 
You're right; I hadn't really thought about that. Okay so $50 off seems acceptable then? Well that and the foal living here free of charge for a few months. Most places I know do charge for foals, even if it is only a small percent of the regular livery bill.

Thank you everyone. I thought multi-horse discounts were normal; they always were where I lived, so it's interesting to read that it maybe isn't that usual.
 
Multi horse discounts aren't that unusual, I have had them before, although not recently. One owner with several horses takes up much less space in terms of tack room storage, feed and vehicle storage so there are good reasons for doing this.
 
Any livery yard that is left with over 5% bottom line profit margin is doing very well indeed.

I would suggest that any discounting over 5% and you have given yor profit margin away.

Have you ever worked out how much money you are making? (Don't forget to put in a salary for yourself and the rent for the yard).
 
Eeek! I have just worked out our profit on a percentage and I have to say it has shocked me - it worked out at 66% profit. That doesn't include having bought the farm in the first place or for any infrastructure we have put in place but even so, my costs versus incomings makes the figure quite enlightening.
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If it was me i'd be likely to offer the foal for free for the time being with the small discount then when the foal is being billed for offer another small bit on top but not much. afterall a 5 horse owner is most livery yards dream providing you can hang on to them.

with a 66% profit margin aswell your making some 600 dollers out of them every month anyway!
 
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