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Entrepreneurship:  Any horse farmers out there?  |
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grammy-o
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Lisa
Greenville
WI
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 03 2005 : 1:30:25 PM
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I've had horses my whole life (40 years). My vet and farrier both say they have never seen animals in better physical shape, although each could stand to lose a few pounds (couldn't we all?) I have awesome mares, a homozygeous paint stud, and perfect arab/quarter fillies. I know it all sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, my barn is 130+ years old and I can't get people to board their horses there because although it's stucturally sound, the barn doesn't look like the new $100,000 barns everyone who always wanted horses and has decided to build a stable is putting up. These are brand new, big dollar facilities charging $220+/board run by people who have no "horse sense" (two of these fabulous buildings have burned to the ground in the last 3 years, horses inside), no "rural" sense and lots of money to spend.
My board is only $125/mo. The horses go out every morning, come in to huge 14x16 stalls every night, get terrific hay and grain, wormed regularly, vet and farrier serviced as needed.
I have one boarder, who is thrilled to death, but because my barn looks icky from the outside, I can't seem to fill the 3 empty stalls I have with boarders. If my youngest daughter has her way, I'll fill them with horses of our own that I have to pay to feed ! Any suggestions short of putting all new steel on the barn? I also have an indoor riding arena, an outdoor riding arena and am only 2 miles from the only state/county trail within 30 miles!
I have the experience, clean facilities, awesome horses, safe and sturdy fencing, training and breeding experience and TIME. What on earth am I missing ladies? Please help
Let's keep FARM LAND as FARM LAND! |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2005 : 05:49:26 AM
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Sounds like you have a great adventure with you! I don't personally horsefarm, but I've worked with quite a few farmers that do exactly what you do.
Have you tried making a brochure showing photos of the inside of your barn? Have pictures of horses in the fields, being worked with, etc. Perhaps putting a metal decoration, like one of those large barbed wire stars that I've seen here, on the barn.
Have a personal story about your experience with horses? Put that in there, as well as what you are experienced in. Tell them what that $125/month goes for...what you listed here. Let them know about the pure comfort the horses will have and the comfort the owners will have by having a short drive to the country to see them.
Perhaps offer riding lessons to 4-H/FFA kids or other community members. You could have little "riding trail rides" once a month and get a group of people to ride on the trails. Little events each month to promote your farm and facilities would also be a good idea.
Let your Ag Extension agent know as well about your facilities and they may be able to help you by letting folks know. They always hear from people, whether they are in the city or the country. One of my friends always said that the best sales pitch is to tell 2 people and tell them to tell 2 more people each. Eventually the wheel gets rolling.
I hope this helps you out a little bit. I think if you sell your experience with horses and what exactly the boarder will get by using your facility compared to others is a great seller!
Good luck!
Jessica ~ Lexington, Kentucky
(Miss Wilma's Niece)
"Sit down and sit awhile on the front porch of life..." |
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grammy-o
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Lisa
Greenville
WI
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2005 : 1:35:37 PM
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Thanks Much Jessica! I'll work on a brochure this weekend! Come on ladies or gentlemen---All ideas are welcome:)
Let's keep FARM LAND as FARM LAND! |
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hapyhrt
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2005 : 05:01:26 AM
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Wish I could add to the great ideas that Jessica gave you. All I came up with is maybe trying to spruce up the outside with paint, add some decorative items for charm and take advantage of the fact that it's a sturdy structure and has been around alot longer than the fancy (ie expensive) newer facilities. Also, be sure to promote that you run a top knotch service and focus on the positives such as years of experience and untold knowledge about the proper care of the animals. There must be others who feel nostalgic about older barns and enjoy their sense of history. Play up the positives, play down the negatives and good luck! Sorry I can't be of more help but I wish you well and hope business picks up soon!
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
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WisGal35
True Blue Farmgirl
99 Posts
Cathy
Kenosha County
WI
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 2:50:07 PM
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Ask your vet/farrier to offer a testimonial for your brochure and/or to act as a reference, likewise with your happy boarder...Do you have a web site? Lots of pics & even video could be a selling point. I know one barn that set up 'horse-cam' so boarders could keep an eye on their 'babies' from afar.
Lots of people want a horse, but are scared by the investment and ongoing costs. Have you considered leasing them a horse that you own (will make you and your daughter happy)?
As far as the barn, I feel your pain. Mine's 120+ old, too. We built a shed for the horses, 'cause I don't trust the barn (it's not sound, but someday....)
For $125 mo, incl vet/farrier, indoor, daily turnout, big stalls, good care & trails, I don't know what else people in your area could want! I know the Chicago-metro area barns are charging (and getting) between $500 and $700 per mo board, and some make boarders pay extra for daily turnout. In SE Wis., board is more reasonable. But other than strictly pasture boarding, I can't think of anywhere that offers $125 a mo. Maybe the low price is scaring away potential customers, not the barn?
Luck!
Cathy
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2005 : 9:09:02 PM
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Hey there! I'm glad that you will be able to use my advice. Word of mouth is a great advertisement as well. If your vet or other boarders let at least 2 people know...those two people let two more people know, then the word spreads out.
Like WisGal25 said, I don't know if the low price is scaring people away or not. I'm not familiar with Wisconsin agriculture, so I'm not for sure what the going rate is across the state. See if raising the price up because it sounds like people are willing to pay much more for their horses. For some, the more $$ it costs, the more "quality" it may be. My favorite story I heard was that one of my friends worked in a factory that made clothing. Well they were working on a pair of shorts. One line was inserting a label for Kmarts, the other line for the same short was putting on a label for a well known designer. Same short, just $50+ so difference. People will sometimes pay the higher price and I'm sure with everything that you are offering, it will be more worth it at a higher price than what some of the others are offering.
Whew...hope I wasn't rambling on too much for you. Let me know if you need anything else! :-)
Jessica ~ Lexington, Kentucky
(Miss Wilma's Niece)
"Sit down and sit awhile on the front porch of life..." |
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grammy-o
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
Lisa
Greenville
WI
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 12:10:45 PM
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Thanx! I'm finishing up my brochure this week, and I think I'll raise the prices to closer to what the other places in the area are charging. I already got my farrier's testimonial and my vet is working on one. You ladies are wonderful! I'm sooo happy my sister, who lives in Chicago, told me about this web site!! Awesome:)
Let's keep FARM LAND as FARM LAND! |
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kydeere40744
True Blue Farmgirl
1132 Posts
Jessica
Kentucky
USA
1132 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 4:03:24 PM
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Hey there Lisa! Great news to hear. I was talking to a couple of the people in my office about your situation. They said with as much stuff you offer with your rent, it would be well worth raising your price up to near the level others are charging.
Let me know how things go!
Jessica~Miss Wilma's Niece
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Edited by - kydeere40744 on Aug 14 2005 09:17:05 AM |
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Clare
True Blue Farmgirl
2173 Posts
NC WA State
USA
2173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2005 : 4:45:20 PM
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Hey Jessica, you just need a / in front of the ending size on your sig line programming, and you'll be good to go on reducing it!
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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Entrepreneurship: Any horse farmers out there? |
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Any horse farmers out there?
