Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on July 1, 2010 at 2:10pm

Well, I guess first and foremost, I own the facility! However, I have 52 years of experience, starting with growing up on a working cattle ranch, which meant animal management, forage management, feed management, resource management, facility management, and budget management. I grew up working under specific guidelines and requirements with respect to all of those parameters.

When I was 19, I took over the live-in management of our local Riding Club, which necessitated a great deal of facility management so as to have things ready for competitions, in good shape for daily use by members, and a great deal of the auxiliary paperwork. Again, I had to work within budgetary guidelines and definite timelines. I was responsibly for hiring and monitoring staff, as well as equipment.

At 22, I was offered a job as a working student for a top dressage trainer and rider, and moved to her facility. I worked under her guidance for 10 years, during which time I not only managed her facility and horses but my own, and one other commercial facility.

I think that on the job training is the best way to go, with a really good mentor. I have employed several individuals with university degrees in Equine Management, who didn't have nearly the background and good sense that I have, and who have required a great deal of management from me in order to fully learn their roles and responsibilities. I think apprenticeships are the best way to learn.

I think that with regard to tips I'd have to say that fully understanding the level of the workload comes first: there are really no holidays, and no days off with horses. One is not at liberty to say "It's 5 o'clock, and I'm off the clock now.". The horses come first, the owners come second, and somewhere way down the line comes your personal life and time. Beyond that, you need to be a problem solver and strategist, in order to utilize resources (which never quite match the need) to the best outcomes. Budget restraints must be looked at as challenges, rather than as restrictions, as must time constraints.

I hope this helps, Ashley!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ashley on July 1, 2010 at 2:14pm

Jan -
This is an incredible response! I think many people will benefit from your advice. I must agree that bookwork and a degree from University may mean you have the "book smarts", but street smarts (or our case, barn smarts!) is what really matters if you wish to become a successful manager/owner. Thanks for the tips!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Holly on July 28, 2010 at 12:06pm

I am in the process of finishing my 2nd year in animal enforcement, and packing up the house with my fiancé to Alberta to buy a Ranch.
aswell in the process of doing a lot of research on the steps to take to get there.
Years of horse experience will do you good, you gonna need it. Try to get into a program for Instuctors, they offer a mentor program and you can learn A LOT

Offer to volunteer at shows and see how things work backstage there.
University of Guelph offers online courses for Equine Studies and Equine Business Management(probably where I'm headed next)

And ask questions, wherever you are in the horse industry most people won't hesitate to answer a few questions if you ask them what your interested in doing and need advice.

Hope this helps! :)

• ▶ Reply