Keep Horses at Livery

So many people love horses and a great many would like to start a business working with horses.  Despite the fact a great many people have their own horse it's a big step from actually owning a horse to also running a business around horses.  The business isn't as difficult as many people think and just a small piece of land lends itself to one of the very best ways to run a business centering on horses, namely keeping horses at livery.  Despite popular opinion, buying a horse is the easy part, and the least expensive feature of ownership.  Keeping the horse, feeding it and housing it, along with veterinary expenses, represent a very sizable amount of money indeed, and it goes on for years, and years.  Hopefully, for animal and owner!

Given that a large number of savage attacks take place against horses kept in fields rented from farmers and the local council, many horse owners look for more secure places to house their animals.  Some want outside grazing facilities with basic shelter provided in bad weather; others demand a full livery service, with accommodation, feeding and grooming included.  Sometimes exercising is also needed.

You don't need stables to offer basic grazing facilities, but you will almost certainly need some shed or disused railway carriage to act as shelter from bad weather and during the night.  Charge a small weekly fee and don't try to cram more than one horse onto less than an acre of land.  Remember also that where grass is poor or insufficient, you should provide and charge for food supplements.

If you have stables, you can take on a more active role, letting horses out during the day and bringing them in at night.  Your charges will obviously be higher than for basic grazing facilities.  Full livery includes stabling, feeding, grooming, and usually exercising the horse, or pony.  Sometimes the owner will ask that you, or your staff, have the pony tacked and ready for riding.  Take all of these demands and services into account when pricing.  In full livery, the owner is usually responsible for cost of shoes, veterinary bills and insurance.  Make sure this is clear before you take the horse. 

Generally speaking, caring for horses should be part of your existing lifestyle, not something started from pure profit motives.  As for caring for any animal, you must love and respect horses and ponies before you can ever hope to run a profitable business from them.