Do you have extra stalls in your barn?
Are you thinking of building a new barn?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, you might consider starting a boarding barn business.
As horse people, we know that it is not very difficult to lose money with horses. This reality is even more true in a commercial boarding barn businesses. A commercial boarding barn comes with many challenges – including financial and operational challenges.
As you consider starting your boarding barn, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your business is set up for success. Equestrians often think of the following ways to increase profitability:
- Offer more training options
- Offer sales horses
- Expand any existing barns
- Raise the training and boarding fees
The options above are effective ways to fine-tune the nuts and bolts of a business. However, one of the most overlooked options is the facility’s overall design.
At the end of the day, we understand that a commercial barn must make a profit (or not lose money). This focus on profitability means that a commercial barn comes with a host of challenges – including:
- How to make the barn efficient?
- How to make the barn look elegant?
- How to minimize overall maintenance?
One can achieve all of the above by focusing on the facility’s design. To clarify, a facility’s design includes the flow of operations, overall function, and the product selection used at the farm.
Working on the barn design is equal to “working on your business, not working in your business.”
In a commercial boarding barn, there are so many things to do inside the barn that barn managers are often left with little time actually to work on the horses.
This is why thoughtful barn design is even more necessary. A mindfully designed barn helps both barn managers and the owners do their jobs.
Looking to stand out and elevate your facility? Our article “Upgrades to Add Value to Your Horse Boarding Business” explores smart improvements that can help attract new boarders and position your barn as a premium destination.
As you plan for efficiency, we encourage you to consider the following things as you decide on design and choose barn products:
Key Considerations for a Functional and Efficient Barn
Location of the Barn
What is the geography, topography, and overall location of your barn? If you consider these elements, you can often leverage Mother Nature's gifts to promote natural sunlight and airflow. These elements help mitigate biosecurity risks, maintain barn cleanliness, and support overall barn health. The best thing is that Mother Nature helps achieve the above at no additional cost.
Transportation & Foot Traffic
How will your indoor arena flow into your barn? How will barn's outdoor access (i.e., barn doors) flow to your stalls? What accessories are protruding and restricting flow in your aisle (i.e., blanket bars, tie posts, etc)? What doors are installed to help your horse go from their stall to their turnout to their paddock to the pastures? Is there a seamless progression? What is the distance between each space? How can you minimize the amount of travel time from each section?
Flexibility
Many boarding barns house a wide variety of horses. The array includes differences in breeds, temperaments, and everything in between. Each horse has unique needs. That is why you must balance efficiency with flexibility when planning a boarding barn.
Upgrades on Stall Equipment
Although certain upgrades may be costly upfront, they are invaluable in the long run. Have you considered integrated feed and water options for your new and existing stall systems? A grilled feed door, automatic watering system, and other options can help cut down on valuable time spent in the barn.
Barn Flooring and Stall Flooring
Have you chosen products that minimize clean up? Products such as StableComfort Mattresses reduce the amount of required bedding. This means less time preparing a stall and cleaning.
If you’re considering upgrades that impact your horse’s daily comfort, our “Flooring 101 for Horse Stalls” article breaks down the key steps to creating a safe, supportive stall floor that promotes long-term health and well-being.
Finishes & Materials of Farm Equipment
Have you thought about the steel finishes and wood species for your Barn Doors and Horse Stalls? Specific finishes and wood species are better suited to thrive in particular clients. The wrong finish or material can lead to higher replacement costs down the road. Have you thought about the differences in fencing (I.e., HDPE vs wood vs steel vs vinyl fencing)? Conscious product selection will mean fewer headaches and time wasted down the road.
Planning updates to your barn? Before you dive in, revisit our article “7 Steps to Planning a Successful Barn Renovation” for practical tips that help ensure a smooth process, and a finished barn you’ll truly love.
The above factors are just five of dozens of considerations. As you look to build your new commercial barn business (or optimize your existing business), we encourage you to think about your most valued expenses – time and energy. At the end of the day, wasted time and energy are resources that you could otherwise invest in your horses, students, and promoting the growth of your business.
Do you have more questions? Feel free to give our team a call at (855) 957 8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com.
