Why does everything have to be a competition? I’ve noticed that the horse business is less competitive than many other industries, but we aren’t yet to the point where we can embrace our competitors rather than envy or revile them.
We all have unique gifts. You might be a better riding instructor for children than I am, for example, while I work better with teenagers. Perhaps you have a gift for working with reining horses, while I click with jumpers.
There are so many small areas of the horse business in which one equestrian professional can shine, yet most of us feel the need to focus on our weaknesses rather than our strengths.
- He has more clients than I do.
- Her lesson horses are better than mine.
- Why do his summer camps fill up so much faster?
- I wish my barn was as nice as hers.
There is absolutely no reason why you should compare yourself to everyone else. Your job is to do the best you can in your small corner of the world.
What I wish horse business owners would do is team up. If another barn down the road has something you don’t, maybe you could work out a trade. For example, perhaps you and another equestrian professional could hold summer camps together. You bring your expertise, and he brings his. Everyone wins.
Or perhaps you and another instructor could refer students to one another. If you prefer working with younger children and I like to work with teenagers, I could refer all the little ones to you, and you can do the same for me with the older ones.
Again, win-win.
Horse businesses can be partnerships rather than competitions, and I can’t help but think that everyone would be more successful if they tried to partner with people of different strengths. Not to mention the benefits to your clients.
So next time, rather than envying the horse business owner down the street, why don’t you give him a call? Get to know him, become friends, then figure out how you can work together to benefit each other.
You might also like:
- How to Even Out Horse Business Revenue
- Horse Business Plans 101:
The Objective - One Easy Way to Earn Trust
in the Horse Business - When Your Horse Business
Just Isn’t Working - Packing Your Horse Business Go Bag
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
