Advantages of a small program - need help!!

[nlk]

Alright I am designing my new website. I am at a lost. I know what I want to say but I can't put it all into words (I'll blame it on pregnancy).

I am looking for the advantages of being in a private barn with a small training client base.

I have that you don't have to worry about new help, I always hate not knowing who is handling your horse, if they are getting feed their supplements by the "new" guy etc. ( the barn is mostly run by the owners and I will be taking care of it when they are out of town!)

So what else are the advantages to being in a small program?

Thanks in advance!

[IsolaBella09]

More attention, horses are treated like owner's own.

[HunterRider992]

Feel like "part of the family".

[Horseless22]

Definitely more attention, and definitely a family type atmosphere. All the girls at my old barn were basically my older and younger sisters. My trainer was pretty much my 2nd mother. I never had to worry about my horses care, they were treated like gold (as was every other horse in the barn). Even though this was a small barn, it was a show barn. I had a wonderful trainer who made me the rider I am today.

I have to say though that I'm at a bigger show barn now (relocated south) and love that place too. I get along with everyone very well and love my trainer. I don't know if I would go back to a smaller barn again, unless I moved back to my old area. I would board at my old barn in a heartbeat. I'm not a boarder anymore, so I can't compare the quality of care at bigger barns Vs smaller barns. All I can say is all the horses at my current barn are taken care of wonderfully by a very dedicated staff.

Also..... Im extremely tired, so if this post doesn't exactly make since I apologize.

[Baby]

i love my small barn! sort of.
I ride with a BNT who just started her own operation. Last season there was only one other rider (other than the coach) and we had around 10 horses. I got a lot of attention and my horse was treated super well. Being an only child, I'm used to the individual attention! The only downside was since the trainer was not so much of a socialite, i really had no barn friends.

[dogchushu]

Consistent quality of instruction and care. Trainer has first-hand knowlege of each and every horse and rider.

[Blacktree]

What others have said about more individual care and attention for your clients and their horses, plus the 'part of the family' type atmosphere are great qualities to promote about smaller barns.

One of my favorite things about having our own small place now though (instead of boarding at a big facility like I used to) is having less arena traffic. I used to have several stallions and a few very green horses in training and that is much less stressful now that we are at a small barn! Some people (even w/o green horses) find it easier to focus/less intimidating to ride w/ less traffic. :)

[nlk]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

[alittlegray]

I find everything is higher quality right down to the feed dd's pony gets. All the personalized attention keeps him happy and healthy. If anything is even slightly off, our BO notices right away. I feel like it might be different if she had a ton of horses and had to worry about being quick instead of thorough.

[iridehorses]

more attention, ex: beacon hill cannot possibly pay attention to all their clients when they have clients like the springsteins...etc
less horses going in and out (depending on barn) meaning that there is less of a risk of disease.
more turnout
im sure theres more

[LShipley]

Maybe "customized training programs for horse and rider"? That is sort of along the lines of more individual and personal attention.

[galwaybay]

I don't think you need to focus on the "size" of your facility as much as you need to highlight what's special about it...One would think the care at a smaller place would be better but that is not always the case... the care is as only good as the person giving it; I can think of a few small barns where there is no way I would entrust them with the care of my horse - they simply don't have the knowledge (I have been blessed with barn owners who have a wealth of knowledge and experience).

Anyway - for your website - get some good photos and post them - focus on what you as a trainer/barn manager whatever can offer, what your facility offers (not what it might lack) and then the rest will fall into place.

Also - is there a group or demographic you want to attract - meaning more adults, young kids whatever. If you want more of an adult place - then use words like private training facility specializing in ....etc etc. If it's more of a kids and some adults - phrases like small congenial (family) barn specializing in training from lead line to Adult Equitation and Jumpers... etc etc

good luck w/your website and business - post a link when you are done or close to finishing...