Needing some suggestions for retirement boarding services

[Chachie]

I need some suggestions as we are switching over our barn from a regular everyone welcome boarding facility to strictly offering retirement boarding.
I have a couple of retirees already boarding here and have my own senior horse, plus I was an equine vet tech for many years so I am not naïve to senior care.
We decided to make the switch because everyone in our area wants an indoor and I can't offer one. We have had a hard time finding decent boarders that ride because we don't have an indoor or my ring isn't big enough to run barrels. (I have a small dressage ring that we built.)
So it just made sense because after doing some research, offering retirement boarding for senior horses it seems as if there is a need around here. And I like the oldies. I don't mind the extra work they need. I live on site and managing the farm is all I do besides raising my baby so for me, with my experience, the set up of my farm, and its locations and atmosphere, it's pretty much a no brainer.
So as I am writing up ads, I'm trying to create a list of services that we can provide and need some suggestions that maybe I haven't thought of. That's where you guys come in
So far I have:
stall cleaned 6 days a week
flexible turnout: individual, group, buddy, and a drylot available
free choice hay (first and second cutting timothy mix)
soaking feed and hay at no charge
supplements added at no charge if owner provides them
feeding up to 3 times a day
heated buckets in the winter
choice of grain
weekly grooming
daily feet picking
no charge for holding for services
if owner provides items: no charge for apply fly spray/masks, boots, blankets, muzzles
maintain bridle path
weekly updates with pics via email or text
unlimited kisses, hugs, scratches and peppermints

services we will offer but charge for:
lunging sessions
weekly rides
medical treatments
handgrazing
bathing
stall fans

I am also working on "rainbow bridge services" too. I'm not sure how to list these things just yet, like holding for euthanasia, arranging removal or cremation etc. They are definitely important in a retirement business so I'm trying to offer them reasonably and kindly.

Could you all please suggest some things that you would like to see at your retirement facility if you were to choose one for your horse? I feel like there are obvious things that I should list and maybe you all have some additional idea that I haven't thought of. We offer a lot now so I'm sure there are things that we offer now but haven't listed.

I appreciate your help as always

~ C.

[fatprincesspony]

That looks amazing! I'm currently looking into retirement facilities for my horse. The one thing that seems to be missing in your list is farrier and annual vet costs. At least those two seem to be the most common items I'm seeing that gets charged above the monthly rate. Also worming is another.

Good luck!

[Chachie]

those would be the owners responsibility to pay for

I also forgot to mention that we accept board by direct deposit

[Lady Eboshi]

Hope you're charging about $1,600 a month for all that!

[Superminion]

I manage a retirement (and rehab and breeding/foaling) facility, so feel free to PM with any questions you might have. The old guys are by far my FAVORITE to deal with.

Our board fee is all-inclusive (worming, shots, trims, etc.) because then we can put everybody on the same schedule and not worry about owners not paying, paying late, etc. Our owners like it too, because they can always expect the same bill each month. Owners do have to pay for special meds (we have quite a few with special needs), vet visits, special shoes, etc, but we cover the basics. I'm happy to go into more detail through PM or email if you want.

As far as Rainbow Bridge services, I've found that owners are all different about how they want to approach it. Each horse has a form that their "parents" fill out about what their end of life preferences are, and we go off of that when it's time to make decisions. Owners are ALWAYS consulted first, obviously, when the time comes, but its good to have a general idea. We don't actively advertise what those services are, since it can be a touchy subject for some people.

All in all, it can be tough because you do lose ones that you get attached to, but it's SO rewarding to be able to give them all a happy retirement! The retirement side of my job is my favorite (and it's pretty hard to beat fuzzy babies!)

Good luck!!

[Chachie]

Thanks Superminion. I will definitely by PMing you.

And Lady Eboshi, I would really like to charge $1,000,000 per month for boarding but sadly I don't think I could even get $1600 around here!

[ALTERthepress]

Is there a particular reason for only offering stall cleaning 6 days a week? I know that is the norm in some areas, but as a horse owner, it is a bit of a turnoff for me. Especially for a retirement facility, I doubt the owners will be out at the barn all the time, and thus it wouldn't be super easy for them to come out and clean the stall themselves on that 7th day. I'd gladly pay a little extra for that service, but I would want it to be offered. Other than that, it sounds like a wonderful setup!

[SMF11]

Agree with superminion -- have an all-inclusive fee.

-Daily hoofpicking -- not necessary.
-baths -- I wouldn't charge for them. (I bathe my retirees when it is super hot and -they are sweaty; otherwise they don't need baths).
-You don't have to advertise burial (or whatever you can offer) but you should know what the options are and how much each costs.
-Know what you are going to charge for medical care ahead of time. And be ready to charge -- the few times I've had horses here needing more care (daily bandaging etc) I've felt bad for the owners and not charged . . . having said that, those owners were not particularly grateful, and could afford the charges, so my spine has been strengthened by those experiences!

Can you offer 24/7 turnout? I really do think that is the best set-up for *most* horses. It would be nice if you could offer both kinds of board.

Finally, I agree -- stall cleaning really should be 7 days a week, especially if you are charging a premium (not sure if you were serious about that $1,000 board rate).

I would really play up your vet tech background -- that's a wonderful selling point.

[Chachie]

Lol that was a typo. I do clean stalls 7 days a week and strip about twice a month

Oh and I meant I wish I could charge $1 million a month lol around here most places with nice setups with an indoor charge $500 and have add ons so I couldn't charge $1600. I wish!!

[RaeHughes]

OP - as to the euthanasia discussion, I would just note in your list of services "End of Life Discussion" and include a specific form in your boarding contract. I would (and have) provided the process for the doing and disposal - with the owner providing the $s for the service. But we had the discussion up front.

[Daisyesq]

I think daily hoof picking is definitely a necessity (you have it listed), but I would also want a light grooming more than 1x week. While grooming and hoof picking, you will also look over the horse for swelling, lameness, behavior problems that could indicate illness. That's why I'd want more frequent grooming.

You could call it a thorough grooming 1x week.
What about sheath cleaning? Deworming? (or fecal count)

[SMF11]

I think daily hoof picking is definitely a necessity (you have it listed), but I would also want a light grooming more than 1x week. While grooming and hoof picking, you will also look over the horse for swelling, lameness, behavior problems that could indicate illness. That's why I'd want more frequent grooming.

You could call it a thorough grooming 1x week.
What about sheath cleaning? Deworming? (or fecal count)

Then you are pushing her labor costs way up -- that's fine if that's what you want (really, no snark intended) but you have to pay for that. In my area, where I charge $475 for retirement board, and regular board at a bigger barn w/a trainer and indoor costs between $1,000 - $2,000/month, you'd have to be paying around $800 to have your retired horse groomed every few days.

Since full board for the OP's area at a place with an indoor costs $500 I'm going to guess she can only charge $250 - $350 -- which is not a lot, and does not cover high labor costs in addition to hay/shavings/manure removal etc.

If a place is good, they will be looking over the horses more than once a day for all the things you mention.

[Chachie]

I'm hands on with my boarders now. I check everyone every day anyway. I watch as we turnout (one reason why I only walk one horse out at a time) and when I put them in at night, I go over them again to keep an eye on any lumps or bumps, etc. Heck even when I'm applying fly spray on a boarder or just petting someone as I walk by in the field I'm checking them over. That's just how I am. I monitor eating habits and snoozing habits. I think every BO should do this; how else are you going to know when something is gearing up to go wrong?

[Angela Freda]

I agree with stall cleaning 7 days a week, if not twice daily [1 cleaning, 1 light pick].

I would also offer more than 3 grain meals a day... some oldsters need more, smaller meals.

[SMF11]

I would also offer more than 3 grain meals a day... some oldsters need more, smaller meals.

THis is true, but you don't have to be all things to all people. (Of course, you also can be, if you want to). Offering more frequent meals, or soaked hay cubes, or whatever definitely could/would be used by some boarders. But just because some horses need that type of care does not mean you have to offer it.

It is very (VERY!) important to decide on your level of service and therefore level of board rate. I know I would not offer more frequent feeding simply because I just do not have the time to do that. If/when a horse gets to the point that they need more services, that's the point where the owner has to decide if they up the level of care (at a different barn, for a much higher price) or they decide that they don't want to pay more and then could choose to put the horse down at that point.

I only had one boarder with this type of decision; the horse had anhydrosis and the owner told me I just needed to hose him off when it got really hot. I found that the horse got way overheated in temps as low as 75. I just could not be on call to hose the horse off several times a day whenever it got over 75, and I gave them that choice [after trying all sorts of things to keep that horse cool, from installing a shower in the pasture, to trying a stall and fans etc]. They opted for a barn where he could be in under a fan, and grooms were available to bathe him as necessary. I was happy for them, and for him. The board at their new barn was more than twice mine, which makes sense as they offered much more.

So that's my long-winded point -- decide what services you can offer and price yourself accordingly.

[Lady Eboshi]

Thanks Superminion. I will definitely by PMing you.

And Lady Eboshi, I would really like to charge $1,000,000 per month for boarding but sadly I don't think I could even get $1600 around here!

My flippant crack about the $1,600 refers to the very long list of labor-and-time intensive services you're promising to provide. 'Round here, to get all those goodies you would INDEED by paying that kind of price! The truth is, if you're boarding 15-20 horses, living outside, pasture sound, there's no need or expectation at your price point to run yourself ragged trying to keep up with a lot of things that aren't even necessary.
And ask yourself also; how's THAT going to go when the snow's 3 feet deep?

Realistically, all of us who run retirement farms see the horses multiple times a day if not ALL day; immediately notice and "doctor" any injuries or illnesses; pick the burrs out if any, get their feet trimmed and deworm and vaccinate on time; and aside from that, pretty much feed and water them and let Nature take its course! Hay, grass, and water and safe shelters and fences are the major necessities, and THAT'S where you want to put your investment, not into "bells and whistles." Bathing, for instance, we only do if the horse has a skin problem like rain rot, and we only clip for Cushing's or failure to shed. Feet have no need for daily picking with a natural trim kept up to date IF the horse is moving freely on well-drained pasture. Blanketing only when necessary, fly protection ditto. I'll admit to pulling manes and banging tails twice a year so everyone looks smart at 20 yards.

The bottom line is don't PROMISE show-barn services that would be really challenging to keep up with, and run the risk of owner dissatisfaction if you don't always make it. Rather, be circumspect and emphasize the basics, and let your owners be pleasantly surprised when they come out for an impromptu visit and their horse looks MAHVELOUS!

[mkevent]

I was just piping in because I used to offer retirement boarding. I think SMF11 and my former farm (Far Side Farm) were the most expensive retirement farms on COTH. I offered everything that you are offering (except I picked hooves 3x weekly) for $400 per month plus sales tax. Honestly, I wouldn't offer it for less than that. My hay costs were fairly high-if you can get good hay for a reasonable price, then perhaps you would be able to charge less.

The biggest issue in retirement boarding is the price point. It seems most people really price shop when looking because they really don't realize the maintenance costs of keeping a horse.

If the horses are stalled for at least part of the day, that drives up your labor and supply costs. High quality grain and hay is expensive. If many of your retirees are bigger Tbs, it can get really expensive trying to keep them in good weight.

Feeding 3x a day (which I also did), really locks you to your farm. It might not be an issue now, but you may begin to resent always having to rush home to feed the horses at some point.

I was able to keep my stalls filled through word of mouth. I think if you let local professionals know about your services (vets, farriers, trainers) that would help.

[peedin]

Curious as to why you would offer lunging at a retirement facility? I would also think about offering a choice of grain. You could end up with every horse getting a different type/brand of grain. Maybe limit to a choice of 2 senior feeds and something else.

You sound like a lovely, consciencous BO.

[Angela Freda]

THis is true, but you don't have to be all things to all people. (Of course, you also can be, if you want to). Offering more frequent meals, or soaked hay cubes, or whatever definitely could/would be used by some boarders. But just because some horses need that type of care does not mean you have to offer it..

While this is true, if a horse lives where they retire for any length of time [and we would hope that they do], their care may change over time.
I was lucky my horse, at 29, still had all his teeth. Most in his age bracket at the farm did not.
And once they are there for retirement, they tend to stay there 'until'.
In my case I was lucky I got my horse to the retirement farm... shipping him to a next level of care place when his needs changed would have been impossible.
YMMV.

[Chachie]

Curious as to why you would offer lunging at a retirement facility? I would also think about offering a choice of grain. You could end up with every horse getting a different type/brand of grain. Maybe limit to a choice of 2 senior feeds and something else.

You sound like a lovely, consciencous BO.

Thank you I am offering lunging and rides incase an owner still wants their horse worked. Some older horse do better with light work to keep their joints moving, especially if all they do is loaf in the field. While I don't expect owners to utilize my add on services, I am offering things like riding and lunging, so they know it is available.

As of now, if I have a boarder on a specific grain and they don't want to switch to the brand we use, if I can pick it up from one of the local feed stores that I already go to anyway, I will purchase their grain. If the owner wants to provide their own grain, then I will discount the board by $75 but the owner must supply at least 4 bags a month, unless of course it is a ration balancer. Most people don't use this option but they appreciate that it is there