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 Too Many Irons in the Fire
Posts: 1724
  
Location: Augusta, KS | As some of you know, I've been managing a boarding stable here in Wichita for a few months now. It is the largest, and most expensive boarding barn in Wichita. Within the last few months I have found out why a barn this nice, was only at half capacity.
I am the 7th manager in 24 months. The last manager was the owners son. Put simply, he didn't do his job. Wouldn't feed horses consistently, stalls were constantly a mess, ect. ect.
Now that the barn has lost so many boarders, and much of it's reputation, the owner can't afford to get me the help I need to do my job well. Mon-Fri I am the only person here to take care of the 26 stalled horses and the 20ish pastured horses.
So I have a couple questions, I am working keeping a very open communication with boarders. They see how seriously I take my job, and know that i'm happy to feed supplements, extra meals, put on/take off blankets. So i'm really trying to improve the care side. The owner is in the process of printing up new advertising with updated pictures, info on me, ect.
Where should we be trying to advertise? What else can we be doing? Is there anything else I can be offering that will appeal to both existing boarders, and new boarders? I know I asked this a few months ago. But i'm really needing any ideas you all might have. I'm all ears, as long as it is something within my control. Money is an issue.
Also, on a side note, what experience do larger scale farms look for in a manager? Anyone know?
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
  
Location: Florida.. | When I was looking for barn managers down in Wellington I looked for..
experience
Professionalism
Orginization
speak english
How they related to boarders . Friendly BUT professional.
keep it on a business aspect but friendly and listens to boarders and need to be able to relay it to me.
Communication.. someone that would talk to me and not avoid issues if needed to be addressed after all they needed to be happy as well to do their job.
dependable
work ethics
someone that could make decisions but not overstep boundaries.
one that loves their job.
I realize you get what you pay for. I paid well and had a barn apt and utilities were included.. and one stall .. so it worked..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2014-01-05 10:14 AM
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Visual is good, i.e. signage. Having signage for each boarder's horse being clear about what the horse is fed and when, when the horse is turned out, has blankets placed and removed, etc. Visual organization.... a place for everything and everything in its place. Offering "package prices" -- perhaps packages that include feed/ hay/turn-out/blanketing/regular deworming in one package price and maybe another package that includes basic shoeing on a regular schedule (maybe you can speak with the farrier to get regular dates set with a set price ?? for the package in exchange for his regular dates at your barn???). Have a regularly scheduled vet day for boarders' horses for basics such as teeth floating, vaccines, etc., for convenience for boarders -- perhaps work with vet for a set price for a basic package for basic vaccines/Coggins if boarders pre-pay prior to his visit? Try to think about providing services that make owning horses easier and more convenient (and easier for you to manage and organize). If the owner wants to keep a full and happy barn at premium prices, I'd think he would want to work with you to provide these types of services....??? |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Talk with the boarders, see what went wrong in the past 2 years and why. Was it drama, feeding, blanketing, etc. Perhaps a refresher of barn rules is in order for everyone so that it's clear drama will not be accepted.
I like the idea of packaging feeding/blankets/turnout etc. Our farrier maintains a regular schedule at the barn and calls all the boarders prior to their horse being on the schedule to check and make sure of what they want done with the horse. If the horse is easy to shoe there's no extra charge for anyone holding them etc. We just have to make sure there is a check in the check box when he arrives, otherwise the horse doesn't get done. The vet bills us with 30 day terms for work done at basic barn calls for shots and teeth and the like if we aren't there in person to pay.
Overall I would make an effort to hear the boarders and what they want - make it clear you won't cater to every little whim they have, but you want to make it the best barn environment possible for them.
As far as advertising - make it clear the barn is under new management number 1. Feed stores, tack stores, etc would be good. If you have a big horse event coming up see if they have a program you can advertise in. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | You do all the feeding yourself and cleaning stalls? |
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Too Many Irons in the Fire
Posts: 1724
Location: Augusta, KS | Southtxponygirl - 2014-01-05 11:16 AM
You do all the feeding yourself and cleaning stalls?
Yes, I do
Thanks for the input. We're having a general horsemanship clinic series this spring (One weekend in Feb, Mar, April). We also have an extremely accomplished jumping/dressage rider that does lessons a few days a week.
I do have cards with specific feeding/turn out instructions for each horse. I also made up a "book" with step by step instructions for all daily duties. If I were to break my leg tomorrow, ideally somebody could take this book and figure out what to do.
I will print flyers for the clinic and take them to some local places. Is it worth posting on craigslist you think? |
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 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | Yes, definitely post on info about the barn on Facebook (boarding, clinics, lessons, etc) and MAKE SURE to emphasize that the place is under new management.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | Definitely Craifslist.
you could maybe reach out to old boarders and just chit chat...let them know there's new mgmt, ask what went wrong, and see if you can mend some bridges.
Maybe offer half off the first month for prior boarders if they come back. Or free (minus cost of feed) if you can swing it. You gotta sacrifice a little if you want to win them back. Or put the ball in their court and ask what it would take to get them to come back. |
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 Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
Location: Oklahoma | I like the Facebook idea . . . how about getting a FB page for the barn going. Post pics of the updates to the facility and the care the horses receive. Is it a large enough facility to host a on-day fun show? It is a lot of work, but could work to showcase the changes that have been made. The clinics you are hosting will do the same as well |
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| What you need is some help ... not throw away advertising!!
Advertising for the clinic is good and could be combined with new barn management information .... half page for clinic and half page for new management ... don't over crowd your message .... this way the same brochure could be folded or cut in half to keep the new manager portion on bulletin boards at vets, feed stores or tack stores...
The cheapest help you can get is a high school teenager that is willing to work for board and horse care of their own horse ... so DO IT!!
Make a deal with an FFA or 4H group to help make the barn sparkle for the clinics so that you can visit and do PR and not be working while the clinic is being done ... offer free spectator tickets to the clinic ... which is not being out any real money!! And you get to meet people you ordinarily would not have the chance to meet...
Also ... if you do a fund raiser for some charity ... most radio stations will give you free pda time on their radio station to advertise it ... you have to have the words and be the one they record to do it ...
Just be prepared that the first new boarders will be the worst ones coming from other barns and make sure your contracts and pay forms are up to date and you don't get hung with non-payers. My feed guy has started putting return check notices on his bulletin board as a way of getting his money by embarrassment if nothing else ...
Even a free Saturday use of jumping pattern or whatever would be a good .... HI HOW ARE YA ... lots of people would love to go visit a nice big arena but are too shy to ask unless invited .... ... schedule times for group tours of your facilities ....
FOR INSTANCE: LAZY E ranch runs a bus to their magnificent stud farm during the HERITAGE PLACE SALE .... sign ups are necessary for each timed tour during the sale ... not saying you should do this with a bus ... lol...
GOOD LUCK ON GETTING SOME HELP ... ADVERTISING BY MOUTH IS YOUR BEST DEAL !!
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 Ditch the Stirrups
Posts: 5369
Location: Sorrow Not! Defending against workplace bullies |
Do you know why boarders left your place?
I boarded at a place like this and was the only one that stayed through several waves of bad management. I stayed because it was a good price for me (they never raised my board) and I could visit often and make sure my horses were taken care of. But other boarders who couldn't do that and paid more than I did were angry about many things. It was hard for them to get the barn full once word got around. One thing that really always made me mad was having the tiny indoor arena encouraged for use by haul ins.
Anyway I always thought things would be better if the owner/manager would have had a contract clearly stating policies about turnout, blankets, feeding times, and arena use. If people know up front what the rules are they are not as likely to be angry later.
Don't create too much work for yourself and don't overpromise. I would only take full care boarders too; partial care can be difficult if they don't keep up on their part of the care. If possible give discounts for people with multiple horses as long as they pay on time.
And yes, the most important thing is adequate help. At the barn I mentioned they would try and save on stable cleaning and bedding and that was a mistake. |
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The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | ninaom - 2014-01-05 1:56 PM
Do you know why boarders left your place?
I boarded at a place like this and was the only one that stayed through several waves of bad management. I stayed because it was a good price for me (they never raised my board) and I could visit often and make sure my horses were taken care of. But other boarders who couldn't do that and paid more than I did were angry about many things. It was hard for them to get the barn full once word got around. One thing that really always made me mad was having the tiny indoor arena encouraged for use by haul ins.
Anyway I always thought things would be better if the owner/manager would have had a contract clearly stating policies about turnout, blankets, feeding times, and arena use. If people know up front what the rules are they are not as likely to be angry later.
Don't create too much work for yourself and don't overpromise. I would only take full care boarders too; partial care can be difficult if they don't keep up on their part of the care. If possible give discounts for people with multiple horses as long as they pay on time.
And yes, the most important thing is adequate help. At the barn I mentioned they would try and save on stable cleaning and bedding and that was a mistake.
Good points made about making everyone "full care" so no one gets upset about horses not getting care, etc.! If you run a full-care facility, then up-front, everyone knows what they get. And going point made about assuring boarders get plenty of convenient arena time. Take care of your boarders. I mentioned being "visual" earlier -- and posting names of those who have not paid by due dates is being very visual..... like the feed store that put the hot checks on the bulletin board! |
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | I don't see how you do it! But definitely a facebook page that advertises on the local "buy, sell, trade" sites for your area if they allow it. Can you offer specific show types if there is an arena and advertise those? Hold sanctioned shows? Offer a monthly 4H practice show as a fundraiser and split proceeds 50/50 or something like that. Classes cost $3-5.
And don't anyone take this the wrong way, but you need to find some CHEAP labor. Maybe someone who doesn't speak the native language but a hard worker. Or one of those desperate high school students. You need someone to handle more of the manual labor like stall cleaning. You should be able to focus more on exercise schedules, feed specifics, etc. What about grooming? Do you groom each horse every day? I just don't see how you can manage a large barn with the amount of horses you already have without cutting some corners. You are probably working yourself to death. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
Location: East Tennessee | Definitely do a Facebook page! Maybe have an open house? Be sure to have the trainer there that gives lesson! That way people could come check the place out and speak with other boarders. |
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Too Many Irons in the Fire
Posts: 1724
Location: Augusta, KS | bluerose2001 - 2014-01-06 2:25 AM
I don't see how you do it! But definitely a facebook page that advertises on the local "buy, sell, trade" sites for your area if they allow it. Can you offer specific show types if there is an arena and advertise those? Hold sanctioned shows? Offer a monthly 4H practice show as a fundraiser and split proceeds 50/50 or something like that. Classes cost $3-5.
And don't anyone take this the wrong way, but you need to find some CHEAP labor. Maybe someone who doesn't speak the native language but a hard worker. Or one of those desperate high school students. You need someone to handle more of the manual labor like stall cleaning. You should be able to focus more on exercise schedules, feed specifics, etc. What about grooming? Do you groom each horse every day? I just don't see how you can manage a large barn with the amount of horses you already have without cutting some corners. You are probably working yourself to death.
Thank you everyone for the input, i'm taking notes. |
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