What would you want from a horsey b & b?

[MrsElle]

We are hopefully moving to a farmhouse in 6 weeks, subject to the builders finishing their renovations.

We intend to turn two rooms that lead off each other into a guest suite, the main bedroom would containg a double bed and a sofa bed and an en suite, the room adjoining it would contain a sofa bed, tv/dvd, kettle, microwave and mini fridge.

We intend to pitch it at riders, there is plenty of room for horse boxes/trailers, and the rooms will sleep up to 6 people. Dogs welcome by prior agreement and a secure tack room provided in the house.

Local hacking is fab, we are close to showgrounds for shows and there is plenty to do locally.

What would expect from a B & B such as this? What items would you require in the rooms and what would you expect for your horse?

We aim to be homely but have good quality fixtures and fittings and food produced by ourselves.

We do have a website (work in progress) the url of which is on my info page on here.

 

[tangoharvey]

fried eggs without crispy bottoms!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I've never been to a horsey B&B, but hope to one day. I would want a nice stable for my horse to use and also a field (in summer I would be happy for him to go out at night but in winter/horrible weather I would probably wnat him to be in). Nice hacking which you have, maybe a map showing the local bridleways/places you can ride (I would look this up before going but often there are places not officially shown as bridleways where you are allowed to ride that only the locals will know!) Would be good if yard provided hay and bedding, straw is fine. I would bring my own hard feed.

Human accomodation less important! Just a comfy bed to sleep in, peacefull, an oven might be nice if staying awhile but if only there for a weekend then would probably go out for meals. Don't know really! Your place sounds lovely.

 

[MissJael]

The main thing for me would be security, for the horses and tack/equipment and cars.
Storage that you could lock tack in would be a good idea.
I am a bit of a worrier though!

 

[Achinghips]

Go for a "natural" products feel, with handmade buttermilk soaps with exfoliator wheat in them, milk bath salts etc, fine cotton high threadcount white crisp cotton bedding, cotton bathrobes, fresh flowers, wooden/hemp bathtools, champagne and roses/chocs as extra by arrangement, minature shampoo and hairdryer, electric blanket is a fab extra too. Decadence with a faux satin/velvet throw. Make sure there's enough hangers (wooden), space for a dog crate.
Take out the microwave - tacky. Tea and coffee (fair trade) and hot chocolate making facilities on a wooden tray.

Make abig thing of the locally produced and sourced breakfasts, including veggie option, free range eggs with photos of the hens/cows adorning walls. No pics of the pigs, due to the death association
Folder showing best local pub meals for lunch and dinner with real ale selection and sample menus

 

[Cliqmo]

Safety for the horse and it's apparel and plenty of warmth and food for both of us

In contrast to Rotchana I wouldn't necessarily be looking for fresh flowers or champagne and choccies (II lead a simple life

) however bubble bath and fluffy towels would be gratefully received after a long day in the saddle

In terms of atmosphere for the rooms I would say comfortable and clean, obviously, but not so 5* meticulous that I'd worry about whether to strip in the hall to save dirtying the room with my grubby jods

Looking forward to seeing your website

 

[tangoharvey]

yes but fried eggs without crispy bottoms is really important too!

 

[FanyDuChamp]

For horse I would require a large stable, ind. turnout, safe and secure fencing, top quality haylage and some where secure to keep tack and lorry. MUST be safe and secure.

For self comfy beds, good breakfast, and basically as Rotchana says.

Good luck, sounds great!

 

[MrsElle]

[ QUOTE ]
yes but fried eggs without crispy bottoms is really important too!

[/ QUOTE ]

My 53 year old OH says I am the first person he has ever known who makes fried eggs without crispy bottoms!

When shall I book you in for........?

 

[tangoharvey]

in that case, never mind opening a B&B....I'll just move in!!

 

[MrsElle]

I like the idea to use all the natural products. We will produce most of the food ourselves from our livestock and garden and I might even try my hand at making soaps!

Would a bath be important, or just a shower? We have to fit a bathroom in so would like to get it right before we start! If we had a bath we would fit a shower over, so that would be the best of both I guess.

Security is good. Metal farm gates (locked) at one end of the track, if someone was to approach from the other end they would have to pass the dogs who would alert us to any movement. Paddock gates will be locked and either hung upside down so they can't be lifted off hinges, or have the hinge side chained and padlocked too.

Tack can be stored indoors in a locked room. As we will only have one suite available no one else will be staying so everything will be secure.

 

[MrsElle]

[ QUOTE ]
in that case, never mind opening a B&B....I'll just move in!!

[/ QUOTE ]

As long as you bring your lovely horse with you its a deal, lol

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Agree with all the others really!

Maybe print off something like a leaflet explaining all the bridle paths, numbers to call if they get lost etc etc!

Maybe a pack-up type thing if they feel like going on a picnic ride

Bedding and hay would be a plus for me too, maybe a range of some generic feeds such as HiFi/ Chaff and some basic mixes too?

 

[ForeverBroke_]

ETS - just read your website

 

[diggerbez]

are you going to be near any big events- BE for example? where people could stable before an event?

also a bath with lots of bubble bath i would say is a necessity!

 

[lizness]

Hello,
After working at a trekking centre that didn;t have a bath, it was sourly missed by the customers after a long day riding.

 

[Quadro]

i would def consider as you say you are near big show centres or on the way, beds already down in the stables when you get there (makes a huge difference if you have been travelling all day!) maybe an info pack in the rooms with attractions, pubs, show centres, bridle paths etc??
and def no velvet/satin throws would make me think of a sleazy brothel or something!!

 

[LadyRascasse]

just had a nose at your website which looks good but you use the word ideally way to much for me sounds a bit repetitive

 

[MrsElle]

[ QUOTE ]
just had a nose at your website which looks good but you use the word ideally way to much for me sounds a bit repetitive

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol, ok, will go back and edit it! Its a pretty rough draft at the moment so will hopefully improve considerably and we will get some photo's on as soon as we can.

 

[Walrus]

I like the idea of offering packups for hacking and providing laminated sheets and maps with good hacking routes. Maybe have saddle bags etc available to borrow?

I reckon a bath is a must (with lots of bubble bath), probably a bit OTT but when I went riding in Iceland having a hot tub to get in after 7 hours on a horse was bliss!!

Other thing is a good drying room for mucky boots, wet coats etc so stuff drys out for the next day and doesn't make the bedroom room smell!!

 

[Jo_x]

basically what everyone has said already, maybe an option that you could meet them at a set spot with a lunch pack for an extra charge? i know i hate riding with a back pack on!

for me a field would not be essential but a bonus, hay/bedding def included so i dont have to bring my own

 

[Carsmore]

Ive found this thread really interesting as this is something that Ive thought about doing too. We have plans submitted to convert part of our outbuildings into a self contained annex type affair. We werent sure whether to just rent it on a 6 month tenancy or go for the tourist side of it. We are a stones throw from the Calder Aire link to the Pennine Bridleway and the hacking round here is really really good. I have good stables and post and rail paddocks. Would you mind if I PMd you at a later date (if the plans get passed!) to pick your brains????
By the way, I must be wierd as I prefer my eggs with a crispy bottom!

 

[brighteyes]

Nice stables with rubber mats and CLEAN (poo-picked twice daily) (

) paddocks for a bit of turnout and a roll. Wash-off tap.

No scratchy branches to spoil my new lorry paintwork and secure parking.

A comfy bed and a nice hot power-shower.

Somewhere outside to hang wet things and no smoking.