profit margins on pasture board vs stall board

[Guilherme]

@Lmabernathy

Just if a barn will ever pay for itself or actually produce income? I don’t see how it really could at least not in my area. We don’t even have that many rainy days. Its not going to produce significantly more income than pasture boarding and to have a barn suitable for a boarding barn I feel like it would have to be at least 10 stalls if not closer to 20 stalls to produce any income at all. I think the property value thing is a wash too. We tried to put my farm up for sell 10 years ago and the only nibbles were contractors wanting to tear everything down and build homes, I doubt that has changed.

Just curious if anyone has made money by building a barn or is it just a convenience for them to use?

The short answer is “maybe, but the odds are against it.”

It depends on the cost of construction, quality of the design (mostly in efficiency and labor needs), increased tax and insurance costs, etc.

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, what the market will bear for a board rate.

If the market will bear the cost then go for the convenience. As time rolls by you’ll find your convenience will be a more valuable commodity!!!

G.

[walktrot]

My BO did it successfully and paid her mortgage off last year, but she had luck on her side. In 1998 she snatched up an 80 acre farm with just a house, a small hay barn and huge hayfield at the end of a dead end road for $110,000. She got in fast with a full price offer which was accepted because the sellers didn’t want it to go for a housing development. Pasture board (which I have) is currently $400 and stalls with turnout all day are $500. That’s the going rate around here, unless you go to a show or training facility. We are just “a barn”. Extras like blanketing are the responsibility of owners, and you do your own vet and farrier. We do have heated areas including a handicap-accessible bathroom and classroom/office.

I met her in 1999 and helped her research options for what she would build. She settled on a steel framed building 120x200’ that comprises an 80x200 indoor and 40x200 barn. The building alone was probably approaching $140,000 or so. It was erected by a local contractor and some of the interior was done by local tradesmen, which she spread out over a few years. There’s a lot of sweat equity, mine included, and stuff at cost like excavation and concrete work by relatives and friends. She also put in an outdoor 80x180’ and we have access to trails. There are 18 stalls and she needed about 14 filled plus half a dozen pasture boarders to cover the mortgage and out-of-pocket expenses. With no mortgage now, she can be picky about her boarders.

I doubt very much it could be done today. The bargain price for the farm (which was established in 1863) is probably the crucial factor. That, and the fact that she didn’t have to contract out all of the finish work. DH does the grunt work like repairs, maintenance, and cutting the grass. He usually does a.m. turnout before he goes to work. The only paid staff are the instructors who do regular lessons and a therapy program. A lot of chores are done by a bunch of teenagers who like to hang out, work hard, and get lessons in return. There’s very little drama.

She helped my buy my horse in 2001. He’s now 23 and truly a perfect horse. I’m 69 and we are both very happy and spoiled. He’ll be buried on the edge of the hayfield when the time comes. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

[Lmabernathy]

Oh wow @walktrot that does sound nice and very very lucky! I would love an opportunity like that but yeah with stall board only making a $100 more I would never find that kind of land deal in my area. Congratulations on finding her and your horse. Sounds like a perfect match!