Think Twice About Risks of Horse Rental Business

By Robert C. Church.

It is unrealistic to consider profit as an incentive for owning horses on a limited, part-time basis. Liability insurance makes it almost prohibitive for even full-time stables with professional help to operate. An element of risk for a horse-oriented business has never been established; therefore, the insurance rate is arbitrarily set.

Volume of business and services such as indoor riding arenas, instruction and training, and professional supervision offered to their clientele keep the full-time stables profitable.

Most rental stables cater to the novice rider who has had no formal instruction and thus is a considerable risk on a horse. A person who keeps horses for public hire must become familiar with the habits, disposition and traits of the horses. An owner who knows a particular horse is apt to be vicious may be held liable for injuries caused by that animal.

The rental horse business is fraught with risk and should be entered into only after considering suitability of the horses involved, insurance costs, availability and safety of trails, and the expertise of those who will supervise riding.

Some people use personal mounts for riding instruction.-In most cases a homeowner's policy will cover liability if this enterprise falls within the confines of a casual and not a full-time enterprise. However, many recently written policies do not include this type Coverage.

If you have the required skills, training horses on limited acreage as a part-time occupation can provide supplemental income.

But it's not easy to make money from these part-time endeavors. Keep in mind the volume of income that would be required to cover costs involved in order to realize a profit. Without indoor riding facilities, weather very much limits the activities in most areas of the country.

Many small stable operators are in the business as a part-time occupation because they love to work with people and horses.

Selecting a Horse

Horse trading is an old and sometimes not too honorable activity. In no other industry is the point of law Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) so closely adhered to. Where no warranty is implied or given, the buyer accepts all responsibility unless illegal practices can be proved.

Most dealers in horses are honest businessmen looking for satisfied repeat customers. But too often the sale and purchase of a horse is between private parties with neither a knowledgeable enough horseman to be aware of the horse's faults.

The novice should seek the help of an experienced equine veterinarian or horseman when buying a horse. There are standard examination procedures to determine stable habits, temperament and disposition, and to detect disease and unsoundness. Also there are certain conformation faults that limit the usefulness of the horse and predispose it to specific unsoundness.

If you are paying an average or considerable amount for a horse, take steps to ensure a sound investment.

The price of horses varies from slaughter prices to thousands of dollars. Check with several dealers for an idea of the price range. Horses between the ages of 8 to 14 years, well trained, gentle, healthy and sound, make the best beginner horses. The horse should fit your needs and you should fit the horse. A height for ease of mounting and a width to fit your legs makes for a safer, more comfortable ride.

The stallion is not for any but the very experienced horseman. Some mares become difficult to handle when in season. The gelding is a castrated male and is usually more stable than the stallion or mare.

Sources of horses include:

Public auction barn usually the dumping ground for less desirable horses, and disease problems. Strictly Caveat Emptor;

Horse dealers, as discussed earlier;

Horse farm sales. Some deal in trained horses, but most sell weanlings, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and surplus breeding stock of one of the registered breeds;

Casual sales, as outgrown pony, former 4-H mount, going off to college, or just lost interest. Sometimes dumping an unsuitable or fractious horse.

The former owner of a horse, with no ties to the present owner, will usually tell you the truth about the horse.

Space and Fencing

In most communities, keeping horses in heavily populated areas has precipitated the inclusion of animal ordinances in zoning regulations. Laws governing cruelty to animals, nuisances, health and safety usually are already on the books. Be sure to check all governmental requirements.

Pasturage should be high in fertility of soil and density of desirable forage species in order to provide enough feed for the horse. Your County Extension Farm Agent can give sound advice.

If the horse is to be confined with limited riding, about 800 square feet should be provided for a minimum exercise area. Longeing the horse for a half hour a day can be done on very limited space. (Longeing is having the horse circle you on a long 25- to 30-foot line.)

Fencing for horses usually involves more expense due to the temperament of the horse. Barbed wire, one of the most inexpensive fencing materials, is the least desirable for horses.