Most barn owners turn out horses for at least a few hours each day, weather permitting. It’s like therapy for the animals, and it can also help them work off excess energy. But should you use individual or group turn-out for your horses?

Benefits of Individual Turn-Out

Individual turn-out means each horse is turned out in his own specific paddock or pasture. He is separated from other horses by some sort of fence—be it wood, vinyl, electric wire, or something else entirely—and he might go into the same exact paddock every day.

There are numerous benefits of individual turn-out, the most important of which is that horses separated by fences are less likely to hurt one another. Kicking, biting, and striking can all take place even with a few panels of wood between animals, but it’s more difficult for them to inflict serious injury.

When horses have their own private space in individual turn-out, you don’t have to worry about the problems sometimes caused by the pecking order. In other words, you won’t have an alpha mare keeping all the other horses away from the hay pile.

There is also less confusion with individual turn-out. When someone wants to bring in one horse for a ride, for example, he doesn’t have to worry about the other horses intervening. And you don’t have a stampede at the gate that could result in loose horses.

Benefits of Group Turn-Out

Conversely, group turn-out is generally a more social experience. The horses are allowed to form a pecking order just as they do in the wild, and this “herd approach” is considered by some to be more natural.

Horses involved in group turn-out might play better with others on trail rides or in the show ring because they are used to communal activities. Your mileage may vary on this one, but it’s something to think about.

And finally, group turn-out for horses is more cost-effective. It takes less fence and less overall space, which means you keep your overhead low. Not only can you avoid buying and installing all that fence, but you have less material to fix over time.

Personal Horses versus Client Horses

One of the things you have to consider in the horse business is what your clients would prefer. As mentioned above, group turn-out is slightly more dangerous than individual turn-out because horses have more access to one another. This means more injuries.

The liability issue alone is sometimes sufficient to convince a horse business owner that individual turn-out is best. If a client’s horse is seriously injured in the pasture, who is responsible? And how will you deal with potential legal disputes?

On the other hand, of course, you might work primarily with clients who want their horses socialized as much as possible. In this case, group turn-out is going to win because your clients want their horses to engage with one another for a few hours every day. Polling your clients will help you determine where their opinions lie.

The Danger of Co-Dependence

We used to turn out two of our lesson horses together because they got along famously. Over time, however, they became so dependent on one another that separating them was a hassle of monumental proportions. If you tried to catch one in the paddock, the other would intervene so they could stay together. And they would call to one another when separated.

Just like people, horses can form both healthy and unhealthy attachments. And believe me, it isn’t always easy to pinpoint which horses might present a problem. So consider this when pairing up animals in turn-out.

Giving Clients the Option

You can solve the whole problem of individual versus group turn-out by letting your clients choose individually how they want their horses pastured. If they prefer individual turn-out, they get their own space, and vice versa.

This can seriously complicate your life, but it’s entirely up to you. If you want your clients to have as many choices as possible, and if you have the space in which to set this type of operation up, go forth and provide options. Otherwise, you’ll want to stick to your guns on whichever decision you make.

^{Image by Planetka}

After talking about serious subjects over the last couple weeks, I thought we’d jump the tracks a little and talk about something more fun: Naming your barn! It’s a decision you’ll have to live with for quite some time, so it takes serious thought.

The name of your horse business is the first impression you create with most customers. Whether you want them to or not, they are going to imply certain things about the way you do business. Fortunately, you can get ahead of the game by choosing a name that accurately reflects the culture you have created around your barn.

Barn Name Length

Your barn name can be one word or twenty (though I advise against the latter). There is no limit to barn name length, but keep in mind that shorter names are catchier and easier to remember.

Of course, if you do choose a longer name, you can always shorten it in informal conversation. You might use the initials, or just the first couple words. For example, Finch Farms Equestrian Center might go by Finch Farms or FFEC.

Equestrian Themed Barn Names

Many horse business owners choose to name their barns using allusions to the equestrian world. Snaffle Bit Farms, for example, or Sorrel Stables, or Horseshoe Meadows. This immediately puts people in mind of horses, which can be a good thing.

Just be careful about identifying with a specific equestrian word. If you were to call yourself Sorrel Stables, for example, would people think you specialize in sorrel-colored horses? If you do specialize in sorrel-colored horses, that’s fine, but if you don’t you might create some confusion.

{Side Note: Does anyone specialize in breeding, training, or showing sorrel-colored horses?}

Discipline-Themed Barn Names

If your horse business will concentrate on one particular equestrian discipline, you can use that to give yourself more variety in choosing a name. Maybe you live in Laurel, Virginia, so you call your barn Laurel Show Jumpers.

The only problem with this method is that you can’t really change the discipline in which you specialize. This won’t be a problem for most people, but what if you suddenly decide show jumping isn’t your life’s passion, and you want to switch to reining? Might cause a few problems.

Also, maybe you specialize in show jumpers but you welcome riders of all disciplines. In this case, you might be immediately turning off riders of other types when they look up barns in the Yellow Pages or online.

Name-Based Barn Names

I once knew a barrel racer who jumped into the horse business with a barn named based on the initials of her family members. She called her place MSP Ranch after herself (Molly), her husband (Sam), and her son (Peter).

This is often the choice of family-oriented barns where the owners want to pass down the farm through generations.

If you don’t like the initials concept, you can also use your last name. If you’re Teresa Danielson, you might call your barn Danielson Acres. This type of name creates a sense of intimacy and family.

Geography-Based Barn Names

I haven’t conducted a survey or anything, but I think this might be the most popular way to name a barn. Whispering Pines Riding Academy, Live Oak Stables, Creek Bend Ranch. You can always name your barn after an aspect of the geography on which it sits.

Quirky Barn Names

I ran across Fish Bowl Farm the other day and thought it was really cute. One of my clients named her barn Stir-It-Up Stables, which I also thought was unique, and at some point I heard of a place called Rock ‘n’ Ride.

You can get as crazy or zany as you’d like with barn names, as long as you’ll be able to live with yourself after the Jell-O shots wear off. In other words, give yourself some time to think it over.

What about you?

How did you choose your barn name? Does it have special significance? Any great ideas you’d like to pass on to someone who might be looking? Share in the comments.

All horse business owners need a break once in a while, and you can’t be at the barn every single day of the year. Whether you’re taking a much-needed vacation or traveling to horse shows, it helps to have a strategy for leaving the barn in good hands.

Appoint a Barn Manager

If you don’t already have one on staff, you need a barn manager when you’re away. This can be a paid contractor or an eager volunteer, but you must trust this person implicitly. He or she will fill your shoes until you return.

A barn manager’s job is to oversee the daily operations on the farm. From coordinating grain deliveries to calling the vet for sick horses, he or she becomes the point person for employees, customers, and vendors alike.

A barn manager is essential when you’re away because you need a central figure to whom everyone else can turn in an emergency.

Post Contact Numbers

Somewhere in the barn you need to leave a number where you can be reached as well as your itinerary. If you’re worried about leaving that information in plain sight, you can give it to the barn manager and one other person for safe keeping.

In addition to your contact information, post phone numbers for the veterinarian, farrier, and anyone else whose services might be required in your absence. Include contact information for service providers at the barn, as well, such as horse trainers and riding instructors.

Inform Clients

Don’t just disappear for a week without letting anyone know, particularly if you fulfill a service-oriented role at the barn, such as teaching riding lessons or training horses. Communicate with your clients well before your date of departure so there are no misunderstandings.

If necessary, schedule make-ups for riding lessons or horse training sessions in advance so clients know their needs will be met upon your return. Giving yourself a two- to three-week cushion between notifying clients and leaving the barn will probably suffice.

Close Down When Necessary

You must trust the people who will be at your barn when you are away. If you don’t trust them, it might be necessary to shut down certain operations.

For example, maybe you’re concerned about your employees teaching riding lessons in your absence. If this is the case, simply cancel all riding lessons for the duration of your vacation. Otherwise you’ll spend your time away worrying, and that doesn’t help anyone.

Leave a Phone Handy

Some horse business owners lock their offices when they are away from the barn, but make sure a phone is available to clients and employees. If there is an emergency and no one has a cell phone (I know, fat chance), you want them to be able to call for help.

Put the phone in the tack room, feed room, anywhere else if you lock your office.

It’s important to take vacations from the barn every once in a while. Taking these precautions will help you enjoy yourself while you’re away, and will keep everything running smoothly until you return.

We talked earlier in the week about clients who don’t listen, and a couple weeks ago we discussed client criticism. Now I want to know how you deal with the latter issue.

You Tell Me: How do you respond to client criticism?

You’re minding your own business, working at your farm, and a client tells you you’re doing it wrong. Or he has a problem with your horse training methods. Or maybe he doesn’t like how you teach riding lessons. What’s your response? Do you give him a listen, then calmly explain your point of view? Or do you shut him down right away? And when does criticism become disrespectful?

Weight in below in the comments section.

Why don’t we get back to basics a bit here at RIU? I’m curious about your solution to the time-worn issue of cribbing. It affects barns new and old, regardless of discipline or philosophy, and sometimes it runs rampant.

And cribbing isn’t just a problem for the individual horse’s health. It’s a problem for the horse business, as well, because it destroys property and sometimes seems to be contagious from one stall to the next.

So You Tell Me: What’s your go-to cribbing solution?

Do you tout the value of the cribbing collar? Do you apply foul-tasting substances to all the wood surfaces in your barn? Or do you just accept it as part of the horse business environment? Can’t wait to hear your answers.

Veterinary check-ups, regular visits with the farrier, health-related supplements—they all cost money. Keeping a barn full of horses in tip-top shape could easily bankrupt a cash-poor horse business owner.

But what’s the alternative? Forgetting the moral issues of failing to take care of your animals, a sick or injured horse can cost serious money. Sure, calling the vet out every six months to look over your ponies will generate a big bill, but that’s nothing compared to the costs associated with intensive veterinary treatment.

This is also a good argument for equine insurance, but we won’t go there.

One of my consulting clients recently told me about one of her lesson horses, who had been injured in the pasture. There was no real negligence on her part, except that she didn’t get the injury checked out. She thought he had a stone bruise, so she took him out of lessons for a week without bothering with the vet.

Then, lo and behold, the horse came up seriously lame, and when the vet was finally called it was too late. The horse can never be used again, and not only will she have to take care of him in retirement, but she will also have to purchase a new lesson horse to replace him.

We’ll never know if that horse’s future as a lesson horse could have been saved if she’d called the vet earlier. That isn’t the point. What I’m saying is that veterinary care is essential to running a horse business.

I don’t care if it’s a lesson horse, a performance horse, a brood mare, a stallion—vet checks every six months can prevent a host of serious problems. And calling the vet as soon as an issue materializes can save thousands of dollars down the road.

It takes a lot of work to find reliable employees in the horse business. You’ve got to advertise, review applications, interview prospects, and make what you hope is an informed decision. And if you have high employee turnover, you encounter this monstrous task more frequently than you’d like.

There are several reasons why employee turnover can be high in the horse business. It’s hard work, for one thing, and some people learn quickly that they aren’t cut out for it. And because every horse business is very unique, with its own specific culture, and it’s hard to find employees who fit into it.

Whatever the case, high employee turnover can wreak havoc on your horse business. Ultimately, your goal should be to cultivate a staff of dedicated, loyal, hard-working employees who plan to stay with you for the long haul.

Be Honest

This is a problem I see frequently in the horse business. You work so hard to “sell” the position to applicants that you wind up over-selling, and the employee isn’t happy with the reality.

When you’re talking to candidates during interviews, make sure you don’t sugar-coat the facts. Be honest about the amount of work involved, including physical labor, and work toward an underlying transparency the candidate can trust.

Show Your Appreciation

I’m not talking grand gestures here. A simple “thank you for all your hard work” will suffice unless the occasion warrants something more extravagant. Your employees work hard and they deserve your gratitude.

It is also important to show your employees that you recognize the hardest workers among them. Don’t heap the same lavish praise on all staff members; single out those who put forth the most effort.

Create Job Perks

It’s hard to come up with incentives for employees in the horse business because it’s such a unique environment. However, there’s a reason employers in other industries use them. Perks decrease employee turnover and create a better work atmosphere.

For example, you might set up a program where employees get free board for one of their horses after a certain number of years of service. Or maybe you pay the entry fees for two shows a year for each employee. Be creative.

Use of the farm truck, reduced rent in an apartment or house on the property, discounts on clinics. These are all potential perks that might help your employees stick a little better once they’re hired.

Give Raises

Far be it for me to criticize the horse business in any form, but this seems to be an area in which we, as a group, are lacking. Employees expect to earn increased compensation as they prove themselves on the job.

Rather than handing our raises whenever the mood strikes, set up a pay scale that you can follow from here on out. Give employees regular raises (once or twice a year, for example) based on performance reviews. Take a page from the playbook of corporate America. It’s done that way for a reason.

Ask Questions

Even if you don’t follow any of the other advice in this article, I hope you’ll listen to this one. The single easiest way to reduce employee turnover in the horse business is to ask for feedback from your staff.

What do they love about working for you? Where do they think you can improve? How can you make their lives easier?

I recommend an anonymous reporting system. Give every employee a typed list of questions, have them fill out the survey, then tell them where they can turn it in. No names required, unless they want to be identified.

In other words, give your employees a voice in your business.

Sometimes it helps to get a little frivilous. We horse business owners like to kick up our heels now and again, and how can you kick up your heels without music? I’m curious about your daily barn ritual.

You Tell Me: Do you listen to music in the barn?

I’ve read several times that music is as soothing to horses as it is to people, though I admittedly can’t get the answer directly from the horse’s mouth so to speak. Are you into music? Do you play it while you work in the barn? Listen to your iPod while you hit the trails on your horse?

And what kind of music do you play in the barn? Classical? Rock? Country? Don’t be shy. Weigh in, all you horse business owners. Do you crank the tunes while you’re mucking stalls or tacking up the ponies?

Today we have a question from Betsy in Michigan, who wants to know:

I really want some ideas on how to maximize the use of the small space I have, we are planning to expand but for now I need some space saving ideas and some barn organizing tips! What would you suggest is my best option? Thank you for your time and I’m looking forward to your response, Betsy

Hi Betsy! Thanks for reading Riding Instructor University. And I have a feeling your concerns are not unique. Real estate is expensive, and it isn’t always possible to build your dream barn—complete with all the storage solutions in the world—right from the start.

First, I’ve covered this topic before in Organize the Barn and Space Savers for Barn Storage. But I’ll try to give you a few more tips on maximizing barn space.

1| Keep Some Stuff at Home

This is a really good idea for those heavy in the show arena. The fancy equipment you break out for competitions doesn’t need to be stored at the barn. Keep it at home if you have more space or, if nothing else, rent a storage unit. This will free up space for the things you use daily at the barn.

2| Buy Smart

In other words, pay attention to the storage solution you purchase. Buy boxes and trunks and racks that will allow you to maximize space in the barn.

For example, look for tack trunks that have built-in trays so you can store more things while still keeping it organized. Buy vertical racks that allow you to use plenty of space on the walls, and look for rust-resistant storage containers so you don’t have to continuously buy new ones.

I heartily recommend the particle-board bookshelves you can find at Wal-Mart and Target for under $100. They’re tall, so you’re making use of vertical space, and you can load them with boxes, baskets, and other smaller storage implements so everything looks tidy. Plus they’re easy to label.

3| Consider a Garage Wall Unit

Another idea is to purchase one of those long wall units that people put in their garages. They work great in the barn, and the cabinets often have doors so you can hide everything away when it isn’t in use. Check out the ClosetMaid units to get an idea for what I’m talking about.

4| Throw Out, Donate, and Hand Down

One of the easiest ways to maximize space in the barn is to get rid of unneeded items. I’m as guilt as the next person of holding on to old equipment for sentimental reasons, but eventually it will consume all your space. Go through all your stuff and get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last two years.

Calling Out the Experts

What about you guys? Do you have any tips for Betsy as she sets up her barn storage areas? What tips and tricks have you learned over the years for keeping your barn organized?

I can’t wait to hear what you guys come up with.

A stable manager, or barn manager, is responsible for the well-being of the horses housed at a particular equestrian facility. He or she takes care of day-to-day operations, troubleshooting problems and providing customer service.

If you want to become a barn manager, you should know that there are many variations of this particular horse job. Each position is different from the next because different stables observe unique operations and procedures

Stable Manager Schedules

Unlike many other horse jobs, a stable manager position is often fairly straight-forward in terms of scheduling. Many of these professionals work regular eight-to-five shifts, though weekends and holidays are up in the air. The barn doesn’t stop functioning just because it’s not a regular workday.

For this reason, most stables hire a main or head stable manager in addition to part-time or off-hour managers. Either that, or a single stable manager is “on call” at all times in case he or she is needed.

It might be necessary for stable managers to work overtime when their presence is required at the stable after hours. If you’d like to become a barn manager, keep in mind these aspects of scheduling so you can plan your lifestyle accordingly.

Stable Manager Workplace

The barn is a stable manager’s domain. He or she might have an office in the barn from which to answer phones, process e-mail, and handle other administrative tasks. A barn manager is often needed all over the property, however, and much of his or her job might be conducted outside.

Some barn managers fulfill other roles in the horse business, such as teaching riding lessons or training horses. This will impact the type of work environment.

Barn management is primarily a customer service position, which means that the workplace involves significant communication with clients, colleagues, and prospective customers. It is not solitary work because few barns are ever empty of people, and barn managers often work directly with horses as well.

Stable Manager Experience, Education, and Training

Depending on a stable manager’s specific duties and responsibilities, he or she should have significant experience in business, accounting, marketing, and equine science. If you have a degree in business administration, for example, this will prepare you for the business side of running a stable, and you will consequently be in higher demand.

Many barn managers earn their stripes by working their way up the horse business ladder. They might start out as grooms or stable hands, then get promoted to managerial level. Others come from other industries and fields, particularly hospitality. A former motel manager would make a great barn manager, for example.

There are no set training or education requirements for barn managers. Each employer decides the criteria upon which he will base his hiring in this type of position, so it is important to seek out jobs that align with your experience and expertise.

On-the-job training is a big part of stable management. You’ll learn how things are done in your particular workplace, and you’ll develop enhanced skills as you gain experience. Again, it is often necessary to start at the bottom.

Stable Manager Responsibilities & Duties

The responsibilities assigned to barn managers vary depending on the specific job, but many tasks are common among all barns and stables. They include:

• Mixing grain and feeding the horses
• Creating and implementing turn-out schedules for horses
• Scheduling vet and farrier visits
• Ordering grain, hay, and other barn supplies
• Taking delivery of barn supplies
• Maintaining a running inventory of barn supplies
• Keeping the barn clean and in good repair
• Scheduling horse trainers, riding instructors, and other equestrian professionals
• Maintaining a calendar of barn events
• Meeting with new and prospective clients
• Collecting payments from current clients

A barn manager might be responsible for handling all the above and more himself, or he might be in charge of managing employees who take care of those tasks. Either way, stable managers are in charge of keeping a barn in working order.

Stable Manager Skills

The skills required of a barn manager are not much different from the skills required of any mid-level management position. These professionals must be organized, friendly, and capable of multi-tasking on a daily basis. They must also possess good administrative skills, from using the computer to operating the fax machine.

Of course, a barn is not a typical office. Stable managers need to be comfortable around horses, at the very least, and possess a basic understanding of horsemanship. He or she must also be well-versed in equestrian safety.

Stable Manager Employment Prospects

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, jobs in ranching and agriculture in general are expected to decline over the next ten years or so. This isn’t necessarily an accurate picture of the future of barn management jobs, but it is important to consider.

Barn managers aren’t in as high of demand as other equestrian professionals because, more often than not, horse business owners also take on the role of manager. Stable managers are needed at larger facilities where there are too many animals and too much land for the owner to handle it all.

Stable Manager Earnings

You shouldn’t expect to get rich as a barn manager. In fact, wages in this position are often lower than those in riding instruction and horse training. And unfortunately, when the economy is in a decline, horse business owners are downsizing and taking on more responsibilities for themselves.

Nevertheless, you can make a living in this job category by displaying excellent skills and obtaining education in business management and other areas. Stable managers might earn anywhere from under $20,000 per year to more than $50,000, though many supplement their income by fulfilling other duties at the barn as well.

Horse Job Spotlight: Stable Manager

Learn about the duties, responsibilities, require education, and wage potential for stable managers, as well as other interesting factoids.