ndiehl - 2015-03-06 12:33 PM

Is there a way of making other income on the side at the site besides equine related? We are targeting sheep but have space in the plans for horses as well. It's a lot easier to get financing if it's for other type of livestock, even if it's only a small number to start. I agree with boarders, I watched a friend of mine chase all over the area after her boarders. I do board (1 currently) but only ever a few at a time and don't depend on it, it's extra.

TXBO - 2015-03-06 12:36 PM


It does to me also.  If you could lease it, it would sound even better.

Does it currently have any earnings or would you be starting from scratch? 

3KissHit - 2015-03-06 12:39 PM It wouldn't be an extremely large operation. At max 15 boarders I'd say. I'd mainly like to buy, train, sell and take in outside training horses but for extra income take in boarders since I have the space. I could also hold open arenas. People around here aren't picky. In the area that the place is located its about 70 miles from the cities Minneapolis / St Paul. People will board farther away because its cheaper. I was looking for boarding with an indoor a few years ago. The place had a 60x60 unheated indoor arena with rock hard ground. The fences were that white tape electric fencing and most were hanging and broken. They had one stall for sick or injured horses and the barn was a mess. They were booked with people waiting at $350 for outside boarding. They said none of their boarders lived within 30 miles of the facility.

3KissHit - 2015-03-05 2:40 PM I guess not really borrowing money for the business itself. The property is listed at $283,000 I would live there. It's a little steep for my current income. Especially if I plan on quitting my job and running a barn full time.

Runaway - 2015-03-07 11:21 AM


Looks like you neeed a success story - I have one.  I bought/financed a boarding stable with 2 homes, a 17-stall barn w/barn apartment, etc.  I personally owned 3 horses, so I rented out 14 stalls and I made a LOT of money; I kept the business 9 years.  The key to success is management and organization.  Also essential is an iron-clad boarding agreement and a "covenant not to sue" in place with each boarder.  Only once in 9 years did I have a problem with a boarder not paying, and then I enforced my "boarding agreement" which stated her horse would become mine as "collateral" for the debt due.  She hired an attorney, who told her to pay the debt and there was nothing she could do.  She was banned from the premises and her horse was to be sold in 30 days to cover the board, according to the agreement.  She showed up at the 21-day mark with cash for past-due board and removed the horse.  That is the ONLY problem I ever had in 9 years.

It is a mentally-taxing business due to "people", but the money far outweighed the aggravation at that time in my life.  Just the barn alone made my mortgage payment and paid 100% of my bills (including 2 car payments), utilities, etc., with a lot left over for savings. 

I purchased this place at the bottom of the market - which happens to be where we are right now in the U.S. since the "boom".  We're at the bottom of the market again, so it's a great time to buy and grow your business.  If you're tired of it in 5 years, worst case -- you will be able to sell it with a profit.  I doubled my money in 9 years. 

My main question for you would be - is there an ample boarding market in the area you are looking to purchase it?  If not, you may need to go under contract with a trainer and let them fill your barn.

Good luck with your decision.