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Post by horseguy on Feb 8, 2017 18:19:08 GMT
Do barns need a specific direction to be successful? I have been asking my self this question. I always thought the answer was, yes. There are Hunter/Jumper barns. Eventing barns, dressage barns, polo barns, hunt barns, and on and on. But can a barn succeed if it is a general boarding barn with general riding lessons?
I took some marketing courses years ago and they all said any business venture had to have a "differentiated offering", meaning something different or unique in the marketplace to set them apart so people would buy what they offered. Maybe today all that is unnecessary.
I am not sure and I am wondering.
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Post by rideanotherday on Feb 8, 2017 19:45:11 GMT
Things that I think a barn needs before a specific direction:
* someone to manage the people
* someone to manage the horses
* someone to manage the property
* proximity to where people want to own / keep horses
I think that multiple disciplines at a barn are helpful. It keeps people interested.
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Post by horseguy on Feb 9, 2017 17:53:36 GMT
Things that I think a barn needs before a specific direction: * someone to manage the people * someone to manage the horses * someone to manage the property * proximity to where people want to own / keep horses I think that multiple disciplines at a barn are helpful. It keeps people interested. The barn where I am now has all the requirements you list, and some additional ones but the boarders there don't seem interested in much. I posted the drill team idea because I thought it would motivate people to come ride in the indoor in the winter. It was a flop. Boarders don't talk to one another except maybe to complain. At a polo barn people are always talking polo, hunt barn hunting, etc. Here I think there is no common theme, so people don't talk. They will walk past you in the aisle and not even acknowledge your presence. I am starting to feel strange, like I am interrupting, when I say hello. I have tried to engage boarders about their horse. There is one big boned TB that has to be an Bold Ruler horse, which I like. I was admiring the legs. The owner didn't seem to want to talk about her horse. It looks like simply owning a horse is not enough commonality to create any sense of "community" at the barn. I think that if there was a common theme it might help the 'feel" of the place and also fill the stalls that are about half empty. |
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Post by rideanotherday on Feb 10, 2017 12:54:36 GMT
Things that I think a barn needs before a specific direction: * someone to manage the people * someone to manage the horses * someone to manage the property * proximity to where people want to own / keep horses I think that multiple disciplines at a barn are helpful. It keeps people interested. The barn where I am now has all the requirements you list, and some additional ones but the boarders there don't seem interested in much. I posted the drill team idea because I thought it would motivate people to come ride in the indoor in the winter. It was a flop. Boarders don't talk to one another except maybe to complain. At a polo barn people are always talking polo, hunt barn hunting, etc. Here I think there is no common theme, so people don't talk. They will walk past you in the aisle and not even acknowledge your presence. I am starting to feel strange, like I am interrupting, when I say hello. I have tried to engage boarders about their horse. There is one big boned TB that has to be an Bold Ruler horse, which I like. I was admiring the legs. The owner didn't seem to want to talk about her horse. It looks like simply owning a horse is not enough commonality to create any sense of "community" at the barn. I think that if there was a common theme it might help the 'feel" of the place and also fill the stalls that are about half empty. You are relatively new at the barn you are at. Give them time. None of the boarding barns I have boarded at have had a specific "direction". The only thing that people had in common was horses. I'm not really in it to be all that "social" at the barn. I guess I'm different that way. |
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Post by horseguy on Feb 10, 2017 16:45:56 GMT
I am not that social generally but around horsemanship where I have a long term and great interest I am willing to engage. It occurred to me to be patient until spring. It's pretty dead there now.
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Post by rideanotherday on Feb 10, 2017 18:10:37 GMT
I am not that social generally but around horsemanship where I have a long term and great interest I am willing to engage. It occurred to me to be patient until spring. It's pretty dead there now. Horses are so different from most "New Year's Resolutions"....unlike the gym, people aren't lining up until it's nice out. Even if there's an indoor! |
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Post by grayhorse on Feb 11, 2017 4:51:18 GMT
When you say successful, do you mean profitable?
I pay $350 a month for the best facility I could find in my price range...it is safe, my horse is "fat and happy" and the amenities are good there is a covered arena, some trail access, outdoor arena....but its not "fancy" by any stretch. There is a hunter jumper trainer, a western dressage trainer, a eventing trainer and each have a small group of clients...it is a mix of people with their trainer and regular boarders whom are not in training that ride a mix of disciplines. People tend to socialize and ride with others like them so there are lots of "groups"....and yes me too HG I walk past people all the time whom don't say anything to me...and to make it worst the western people only talk to me if I am riding in my western saddle and vice versa with the English riders ...it just depends on the saddle I ride in as crazy at that sounds!!....Anyhow, I believe the place is just barely squeaking by financially.
The eventing trainer I was taking jump lessons from...you drive up and have to enter a code to enter. His place has it's own groomed gallop track in the hills, XC area with water complex, indoor and outdoor arenas, dressage court...its NICE. He has lessons booked from 8am to 6pm daily with weekend shows and schoolings booked as well....I know as I see his schedule sent out in a group email. He has training horses that he rides before his daily lessons too. To board at his place it is $850 a month minimum not including lessons or any other services. I can't afford to board there. He has a full barn, btw.
To compare the two barns, Id say the more "successful" barn is the eventing focused barn. His program is so successful in fact, that I got priced right out of being his client unfortunately and honestly it didn't hurt him one bit...he is $50 for a half hour lesson...I was good with that as there was no haul in fee...but a haul in fee of $30 was instituted two months ago and I just can't afford $80 total for a half hour lesson plus the gas, time, etc it takes to haul there (I live 40 miles from his facility)...I have the worst luck with finding and keeping trainers. Oh and an hour lesson is $80 plus the $30 haul in so $110 a lesson!! But he has lots of people lining up to pay it so.....
Anyhow, not saying a barn can't be successful without a focused direction...but in my area the ones that are tend to be better off financially I think.
Carrie
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Post by Maritza on Feb 13, 2017 2:04:29 GMT
When I was looking for a barn in Colorado I looked for one with two disciplines in mind, dressage and eventing. Knowing that they go hand hand is why I wanted a barn that offered both. After Bob retired and I went looking for another barn to ride at I ended up first to a jack of all trades barn. After a while I ended up feeling that I was paying to train my trainers horse and my lessons weren't about me anymore. The second place I rode at while in PA the trainer was more dressage orientated but still lacked any major direction.
When I moved to Colorado I knew I needed a place that could help with my dressage and also help me get back to jumping consistently. I believe that having the direction that the farm I ride at has helps with everyone being friendly towards each other. I have had riders/boarders offer my compliments after my lessons and often we will talk about the horses as we groom and share stories about riding.
I think it depends what you are looking for. I was looking for a place that would help my riding and help me become an athletic rider so that's what I went looking for.
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