Tips for Horse Property Management

Whether you own a single horse at home or a huge commercial horse training center, knowledgeable and efficient management is a must. Whether you are planning to work with the facility or do a major renovation, planning and organization are key.  An organized and regimented approach will make everything easier.

Your stable does not have to be super deluxe to be neat and safe. If you stay organized and always look for ways to cut costs while working smart, your property will run more smoothly. Below are some tips to help you stay organized:

CREATE DAILY WEEKLY AND MONTHLY SCHEDULES

Plan out regular jobs, such as maintenance and post that schedule. Keep dry erase boards in common areas. It will enable you and the staff to make notes of issues or supply requirements. Post a list of things to do. 

Part of what needs to be on that schedule is checking fire extinguishers, electrical boxes tack, fencing etc. One suggestion is a daily log. In it you can list the date and note jobs done, training notes and other items.

ORGANIZE YOUR STORAGE AREAS

Be consistent about which items are stored and think through what you use and where you use it.   Make sure you have a protected area for clean bedding near the barn and that it is easily accessible from the barn.

Keep hay in a separate building to reduce your fire risk with respect to your horses. Some ranches reserve a stall for short term use and store the bulk of their hay well away from the horses.  Feed and grains need to be in a tightly covered barrel or other container to keep it dry, clean, and inaccessible to pests.

Manure is an obvious problem. There's too much of it, it never ends and it causes numerous hazards. Options include investing in equipment and hauling it to a pile far from the barn or creating compost piles.

BE VERY ATTENTIVE TO POSSIBLE FIRE DANGERS

Keep all flammables stored safely away from the horses. Regularly check sprinklers, water sources, fire extinguishers etc. Properly store flammables, keep vehicles out of the hay area and develop a fire evacuation plan including fire drills.

IMPLEMENT ADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES

Much of what is on your property, from the horses to the trailers, equipment and tack have a value and are easily salable. Consider video cameras, but do not rely on this alone.

Identify your equipment with a marking that is specific to you. It can be an identification number or even your initials.

Brand and take regular photos of your horses. Be especially careful to photograph special markings, scars and brands.

DO PASTURE MAINTENANCE ON A REGULAR BASIS

This includes fence mending, mowing and application of herbicides.  Create a very specific and consistent method of keeping horses out of pastures after application of herbicides.  Prominently display "DO NOT TURN OUT" or "FIELD CLOSED" signs on the gate.

With the increasing cost of keeping horses, it is especially important to efficiently manage your horse property.