Let’s have a quick look at the most important things in having or working in a horse business. This is for a business that works directly with horses, although there are many other types of horses businesses.
At the end of this video, I will show your a great resource where you can find out more about the very wide range of horse businesses and careers in the horse industry.
1. Horse Care and Welfare
The first thing is to think about the type of people who start or work in horse businesses. For them it really is about the horses, so of course their horses are top priority!
Horse business owners or potential horse business owners should have a sound knowledge of the Five Domains and then use this model as a checklist which includes Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behavioural Interactions and Mental State.
2. Qualified Staff
You might start your horse business being self employed and not employ anyone else, so you should make sure you have the right qualifications before you get started.
Don’t learn on the job, make sure you have the appropriate qualifications and have lots of experience in the type of horse business you are going into first. Qualified, experienced and well trained staff are essential as you grow. They must understand horse behaviour, training and care and also have specialist skills for the area of the business they will be employed for.
3. Safety Protocols and Insurance
This is one area you shouldn’t skip the importance of when you have a business working directly with horses.
Implement strict safety measures for both horses and clients, including safe facilities and well maintained equipment and with the correct safety procedures in place.
Then talk to an insurance broker about your needs and make sure you are insured at least for Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Workers Compensation before you start your business.
4. Client Satisfaction
These people will include students (if your horse business is teaching people to ride) or agistees (if your horse business is an agistment centre). Have a focus on clear communication and delivering quality services and be in the habit of giving them more than they expect. Find out what is important to them and where possible, align what you offer with what they consider important.
Then build strong relationships with your horse business clients so if there are any hiccups they can talk to you about them before they become problems.
5. Financial Management
Let’s face it, if you start a horse business it is usually more about the horses than sitting in an office with a calculator. However unless your horse business is economically viable then your horse business will not be sustainable, you will need to close the business down and you could lose a lot of money in the process.
If you don’t want to manage the finances, then employ someone who can do this essential job for you while you do the work that you enjoy!
6. Legal Compliance
As well as having the correct insurance in place recommended by your insurance broker, make sure you also have the other legal compliance in place before you start your new horse business.
Check with the local council and other authorities to check that you have everything in place.
The last thing you want is to close down your business because you started your horse business in an area that the council hasn’t zoned for or for something else that you hadn’t checked first.
7. Marketing and Branding
When you have everything else in place to get your horse business started, make sure people know about you and about your business! If you horse business is focused within the local area, then make sure you network in the local horse people.
This could be local clubs, local horse business and places where people ride and hang out. Also, remember to join the local Social Media groups for these local groups so you can hang out online with them.
8. Community Involvement
As well as networking being part of your marketing and branding strategy for you horse business, be involved in the local community. You could be a volunteer at their events or donate trophies for local competitions.
Another suggestion is to offer programs or events for local horse people to join. Every community is different and the opportunity to be involved will vary from community to community. Look for local options.
Remember that I promised a book about other horse businesses and careers in the horse industry?
Have a look on this link
https://www.internationalhorsecollege.com/101-careers-in-the-horse-industry-free-ebook-download/
Or simply go to InternationalHorseCollege.com and search for ‘101 Careers’ or ‘free career book’
Enjoy the book
🙂