Think your getting into boarding horses for the wrong reason…wanting them for company… Hot wire for perimeter fencing can and does work just have to keep it in good repair. Having other people’s horse in your care is a huge liability so is having their owners coming to see them.
In Maryland, at least until 2013 when I left, hotwire cannot be the perimeter fence for horses.
Sorry but I am another NO. It is just not worth it. All the reasons are listed by others up above.
I have a similar property. I board 2 layup/retirees for people who I know VERY WELL. I charge enough to (mostly) cover costs. You could not pay me to do this for stranger’s horses and I have no interest in horses in work. I have 2 retirees of my own and 4 horses is plenty (I actually have a bit more land than you do). I love all 4 of the horses and treat them like they’re my own, and that’s the ONLY reason it works.
I wouldn’t want to board 5 horses…I had 2 at home till recent now only have 1 so much easier with just 1 horse. Wouldn’t want the hassle or the extra work involved of boarded horses.
I’ve got plenty of pasture and land to board horses.
[QUOTE=ladyj79;9004644]
In Maryland, at least until 2013 when I left, hotwire cannot be the perimeter fence for horses.[/QUOTE]
A little OT, but I’m in Maryland and have never heard of such a regulation. This publication doesn’t mention it either, though it’s from 2014: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/handle/1903/15988/Fencing%20EB%20419.pdf
Could be a county ordinance but I don’t think it’s a general law/regulation statewide. Just FYI to anyone. Do you know any more, ladyj?
I was a BO for six years. When my last boarder sold her horse, I seized the opportunity and did not accept any more horses. Like you, it was not my primary source of income, and for the first several years I worked full time as well.
However, the additional farm workload -and I’m not talking just mucking stalls here- as well as dealing with slow payers and irresponsible owners did me in. Yes, all my boarders were vetted by me and references were checked. I had spent many years as a boarder without ever really seeing the other side. Having my own horses at home? Heaven. Boarding other people’s horses? Not so much.
[QUOTE=vxf111;9004924]
I have a similar property. I board 2 layup/retirees for people who I know VERY WELL. I charge enough to (mostly) cover costs. You could not pay me to do this for stranger’s horses and I have no interest in horses in work. I have 2 retirees of my own and 4 horses is plenty (I actually have a bit more land than you do). I love all 4 of the horses and treat them like they’re my own, and that’s the ONLY reason it works.[/QUOTE]
^^
OP I think this would be a good setup for you - but if you’re not going to keep your own horse(s) at home I wonder if you’d find it worth the hassle factor (I say this as I need to find hay…again…my hay delivery kid is going into the Navy next week. Sigh.)
If, however, you are thinking of retiring your horse(s) at your own farm someday, that would be different. And I would then urge you not to take on any boarders right away until you can really get organized and figure out what you want/need/can do, etc. And then vet your boarders very well.
[QUOTE=Libby2563;9005031]
A little OT, but I’m in Maryland and have never heard of such a regulation. This publication doesn’t mention it either, though it’s from 2014: http://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/handle/1903/15988/Fencing%20EB%20419.pdf
Could be a county ordinance but I don’t think it’s a general law/regulation statewide. Just FYI to anyone. Do you know any more, ladyj?[/QUOTE]
Maybe it is a county thing? I just know that of the many, many reasons the farm I was at for seven years had animal control out, our exterior fencing or lack thereof, was one. We did not have exterior wire, but couldn’t just repair the horrible fencing by putting wire up…But our animal control officers were a little wonky so it maybe was entirely made up :lol: :lol: :lol:
I think there are likely different rules for commercial facilities. But fyi anyone who boards one horse is now a commercial facility in Maryland and required a license. It used to be five…we went through that too. Sigh.
http://mda.maryland.gov/horseboard/Pages/regulations.aspx
Its also a big reason why I recommend no one in Maryland board anywhere that isn’t a licenced facility. Because the amount of awful things that can happen would astound you with very little recourse available.
Plan On: Never having time to ride your horse.
Spending time on lead rope for vet farrier, etc.
Making extra trips to the feed store for odds and ends.
Taking time from your"Free?" time or night’s sleep because gelding
has coic, maybe.
Wondering which First of the Month Susie Q thinks it is, because she
hasn’t paid last month’s board, and it’s now the 6th of the next.
OP, I would say figure out the level of care you’re willing and able to provide. The set a price that will cover your costs and pay you whatever you feels is enough for the effort. Advertise your facility with those terms at that price. If you get boarders, great. If you don’t then you know your care/facility/price point doesn’t hold water in your area and from there figure out whether you’re willing/able to make adjustments or whether the package you’re willing to provide just doesn’t suit the local market.
