Product Description

This guide shows readers how to run a successful business and make the most of their investments in horses, facilities, and equipment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #296609 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
"[This book] is a great guide for horse care and management on a cost-effective basis. Excellent!" -- Dr. Arden Huff, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Extension Horse Specialist, Emeritus

Review

“Be sure to pick up…Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business.  You’ll be hooked from the opening chapters on logos, barn colors, and business card designs, through the appendices full of handy forms, schedules and contact information.  In between you’ll find detailed information on management, riding programs, boarding, leasing, breeding, buying/selling, cost-cutting, and more.” – Horse & Rider magazine

“…helps the horseman become more aware of his responsibilities as business manager and owner.” – Western Horseman

“…sound suggestions to the horseman-turned-businessman translate what’s going on at the barn into generally accepted accounting principles…” – Western Horseman

From the Back Cover
Yes, you can do the work you've always dreamed of doing. Here's all the information you need to start and run a successful horse business!

Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring entrepreneur, Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business puts you on the inside track to making money and cutting expenses. An experienced stable manager, author Mary Ashby McDonald knows exactly what works (and what doesn't) in the business of horses. Now she shares her profitable ideas and techniques with you.

This practical handbook covers:
Making the most of your investment in horses, facilities, equipment, and time
Beginning a variety of income-generating activities and programs
Managing promotional events that create interest and bring in business
Saving cash on stable management, horse care, and equipment
Plus 20 forms and contracts

Customer Reviews

Not for professionals
I had high hopes for this book, but found it nearly useless in terms of providing practical information. My husband and I are in the process of converting a run-down former Standardbred training facility into a boarding operation, and we were looking for advise on fencing, building materials, safety issues, suggested rules for boarders, etc. What we got in this book was a list of puns for promotional bumper stickers and advise on planning a tea party (I'm not joking). The author seems to be much more interested in the marketing aspects of running a stable (choosing stable colors, for example) than in the actual horse-care aspects. Her advise on things like getting the best prices on feed are basically common sense ("Buy in bulk.").

If you are a pre-teen who wants to dream about the "fun" aspects of having your own stable some day, this book might suit your needs. Unfortunately, if you are an adult interested in professional advice, you won't find it here.

Excellent Ideas
I think Mary McDonald's book is full of sound and useful advice. I have boarded horses, bought and sold horses, and taught riding lessons off and on for 20 years. Recently I decided to begin teaching lessons again, having taken about 8 years off. I referred to this book for ideas on organizing, planning and implementing my new riding program. I borrowed from it liberally and feel much more goal-directed and organized than in the past. I recommend this book as a starting point for anyone considering becoming involved in the horse business.

Horse business skimmed over
I felt this book covered marketing of a boarding facility. It offers simple ideas on how to make extra money but I felt this was too superficial. If you need help with marketing, advertising, and promoting this book gives you that but it does not give you the basics of running a horse business. I would reccommend instead, something written by a CPA or lawyer. There are certain things I expected like; layout and design to the best advantage, things to consider when starting a horse business, laws and taxes related to a horse business....this covers none of that so if you are looking for something in depth, this is not it.