Are there any BO's out there that have boarding barns that work a full time job?

[Applesauce]

I know that owning and running a boarding barn is a full time job in itself, but just wondering if there are any BO's out there that also work a regular 40 hr week regular job. With the economy the way it is, I'm thinking it's time to get back into the work force to help supplement my income. I am a former police officer so that's what I would want to do. But I'm curious if there are others out there that do this and if so, how do you manage your time?

[MistyBlue]

I don't run a boarding barn myself...but quite a few BOs here in CT run their barns and have outside jobs too. Smaller barns...not the bigger ones. But it's not unusual to have a BO who works outside the property. Many have to...either for their benefits/insurance or to help cover all expenses. They might make enough boarding to offset the cost of the running the place but not enough extra to provide a living wage for themselves or to cover the "less visible" running expenses such as property taxes or any mortgages.
Some have 3rd shift jobs so they're off property when a BO would be sleeping anyways. Then will do morning chores, turn out and go to bed and then back up again before the place gets busy after school/work.
Some work first shift and just get up at the butt-crack of dawn (or way before sunrise) and get the basics done (feed, turnout, hay) and then come home to do stalls and start the afternoon chores.
I don;t know any who work second shift. That would be a tough shift for a BO.

[jn4jenny]

Many BO's around here have full-time jobs. My current BO does not, but the past two did. In both cases, they traded board for someone to pick up a lot of the mucking duties. One of them also traded board for feeding duties. The BO who competed actively and rode regularly traded away almost ALL of the barn chores for reduced board. I suspect that model wouldn't be financially feasible at other barns; I was never rude enough to ask, but I think that BO had a paid-off mortgage, and she grew some of her own hay which also helped reduce the bills.

[SaddleFitterVA]

I have boarders, but don't run a barn like a standard boarding barn. I work full time.

My schedule is:
6:00am, get up, have coffee
6:30am, head out, feed horses, if they were in, clean stalls. 6 horses takes me about an hour to do cleaning/turnout/spread hay/water. If out, only 30 minutes to feed/spread hay.
7-8:30am ride
8:30-9, get ready for work
9-10, dawdle, commute, arrive at work
10-6, work
6-7, commute/minor errands
7-8:30, ride, visit with boarders, spread hay,
8:30-10, make dinner, eat, get coffee maker ready for am.
10-11, read, goof off.

On weekends, I have to do things like drag the ring, and other jobs.

My boarders all pitch in and help with stalls when here, picking manure from fields, moving jumps, etc. BUT, I only want people who come here because they like how I run the barn. I do things for the horse, not the owner. So, if I don't think a horse needs a blanket change, he doesn't get it. If the owner does not trust my judgment, they are not going to be a good match for my farm.

I am not a large farm. There are 4 of us total (myself and 3 boarders).

If you have been providing a lot of free services or keep horses in year round, then it will be harder. Summer, the horses are in during the day for heat/flies. Winter, they are only in for foul weather/mud mitigation.

[saultgirl]

My BO has a full-time job.

[Topper]

I work full time and have small boarding barn. I think the big thing is to set exceptions of the boarder and yourself. And taking time for yourself!

I have great job where I can work from home and the farrier can be "an appointment"! I think the hardest part is to have back up for vacation and stuff.

[Parker_Rider]

An old BO of mine is a cardiosurgeon... His wife also had a job, but I forget what she did. AND they had 2 high schoolers at the time.... They still have the barn, but I haven't been out there in a while.

[Woodland]

I have one now. Lessons have been so slow I had too! I did boot out some boarders that were not in favor so I could take a j-o-b. I make next to nothing on board, so if they or their horses were pita's I gave them notice - citing my new j-o-b. I will be working through May. Then I will be off the entire summer for my Horsemanship Day Camp program - which is already full for the season - yippppeeee! Also I took a job rather than lay off my farm help - they relay on their paychecks to make ends meet - I could do no less for my beloved staff.

My schedule:

Wake 5 AM
feed grain
check over the horses
6 AM - get my DD up for school & make her breakfast
6:30 Turn out - they have round bales so no need to schelp.
7 AM Check DD's homework, pray together, help her with her needs then take a shower.
7:30 DD's bus comes. I get dress in work clothes and head out the drive.
8AM WORK - usually no lunch or breaks so I can leave early if possible.

3-5PM Leave work Depending on DD's & My schedule - one of us starts evening stables. They are in between 5 & 6
Then evening is a myriad of Homework, sports(volleyball, track, BB, soccer, swimming, or riding) VB ended tonight - track begin tomorrow, And we fit dinner in at the table somewhere in there. I teach lessons 2 nights a week and Saturdays.

Bed between 10 & 1 AM because I have housework to do as well. Plus I have elderly parents that require all "SPARE" TIME. They live over an hour away.

I took tomorrow off because the shoer is coming and my Shane is a royal PITA if he is not mentally & physically prepared - he is such a primadonna! I am off every 6 weeks on a Friday for the shoer - it's in my contract.

I have great job security and I am good at what I do. However I would much much much rather be teaching, training, and loving my horses and family full time again! My barn lacks it's usual sparkle and standard. But my boarders understand and my staff does it's best in my every day absence.

And YES I am TIRED!

[ddashaq]

My former BO worked at least 40 hours a week on top of running her barn. For years it seemed to work well, but the last year that I was there, she was obviously burned out and the horses really suffered for it. She refused to either hire help or trade it out for reduced board and insisted on doing it all herself. I know that a lot of people could handle things better than she did, but I would suggest that you be willing to ask for help if you find yourself overwhelmed or feeling burned out.

Good luck!:)

[pony89]

I had experience w/one BO who got a full time job after I already had my horse there. I totally understand the need, but in this case, the horses stopped getting turned out. Unless she knew the weather was going to be absolutely perfect all day long (not a sprinkle or a flurry), the horses didn't go out until after work since no one was available to bring them in. She would turn them out for about 1.5 hours, right when I got there after work. If I wanted to ride, my horse didn't go out, or I had to bring her in w/in 15-20 minutes of going out.

I wouldn't be opposed to boarding some place where the BO worked full time, but I would want to make sure that the horses got turned out, and had a shelter if they were unattended.

[Milocalwinnings]

The BO who owns the barn I board at has a full time job. She has a BM who works there Monday-Friday. Since no horses are stalled, the only things that mainly need to be done on the weekend are feeding and blanket changes.

[MoonWitch]

BUT, I only want people who come here because they like how I run the barn. I do things for the horse, not the owner. So, if I don't think a horse needs a blanket change, he doesn't get it. If the owner does not trust my judgment, they are not going to be a good match for my farm.



First of all BRAVO!! This is exactly how I feel and operate!! If the people that come to board with me don't understand this, there are plenty o'places that will charge them out the wazoo to be catered to :lol:

I work a 40hr job plus have my boarding/lesson business on top. I have alot of help from DH & DD (both work FT too) as well as a stall mucker. DD does am work then goes to college/work. DH & I do evening work and I teach some nights. Weekends are upkeep, maintenance, teaching, shows etc. It is alot of work, but I do love it.

[barrelchick00]

My BO works as a police officer full time as does her husband and they still feed, ride and do turn outs for all 16 horses. We try to help when we can but most of the time they do it themselves. And they wouldn't change a thing at least thats what they say. I love the people and place my horse stays and she is happy there as well.

[BuddyRoo]

I think whether or not it "works" depends on the level of care the BO is promising and whether or not they can pull it off.

I boarded once at a facility where the BO worked full time. Unfortunately, there were just far too many horses on the property for the BO to take care of in the manner outlined in the contract and BO refused to hire help. Lots of turnover there.

I could muck, wipe out buckets, throw hay, sweep up, etc for 5 horses in about an hour. Major work around the farm was done on weekends. Turning out and bringing 5 horses in twice a day took about 30 minutes tops. Working full time and handling that would be no problem.

So...just depends on the expectations and how many horses you're talking about.

I personally have no problem with boarding somewhere where the BO works full time off site as long as the BO is up front about what services will be provided and those services ARE provided. But I'm a lot more lax about my expectations for turnout and bring in times, feeding times, when stalls are cleaned etc--after doing self care and working full time myself. I tend to look at things on a "need" vs "want" basis. It wouldn't be a deal breaker to me if the horses were out an extra 2 hours one night because BO got stuck at work. Or if stalls weren't cleaned til the evenings. Some folks though (especially those who've never cared for their own horses) have some what I would consider irrational expectations.

[clivers]

I have 3 boarders and work long hours (physician), but I'm not running a boarding barn. I have a boarder who mucks for me (in exchange for free board) and I do all the feeding/turn-out etc. My schedule varies and therefore so do the horses', but it doesn't seem to be a negative at all. In fact, I find that bringing in/feeding at different times (anywhere within about a 2 hour window) keeps them from being antsy at the gate! All the horses here are fat, shiny and happy. I'm burning out a bit, though, and don't have enough time to ride these days. We're planning to hire someone to help with grass cutting/harrowing/spring cleanups etc. this year.

[SBT]

My BO runs a travel agency in addition to the farm (home to 80+ horses), and also serves on the town's environmental board. I don't know how she does it, except that she does basically make her own hours. :yes: