I think having a successful business in the equine business is tough. I can’t think of anyone who is successfully running their own business teaching and training who didn’t come from money, have a parent subsidize them or have a wealthy benefactor. I am a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. I’ve trained my own horses and have several successful students. I’d love to have my own small facility to run as a teaching/training/boarding (students) business, but there is no way I can come up with seed money to carry me until I build my business. If it were not for my husband and his modest income, I would be working full time as a nurse to make ends meet. It’s not always who has the most talent, but who has the most backing. Good luck! I mean that sincerely, not sarcastically:)
The reason I want to buy some babies vs greenies, is I feel like there is more profit to be had. If I buy a greenie for $3500, put some miles on it, maybe take it to a show, get it from say intro to 1-2nd level, I could sell for maybe $5000-$6000. But if I buy a nice baby with good bloodlines for $3500 from Cornell, and stick it in my field for 2 years, yes, it’s a longer term investment, but actually less money. No shoes (for most of the time), grass here is 90% of the year, I’m a vet tech, so discount on gelding (if a colt), can do shots/coggins myself. Put 60-90 days on him/her, and I’ve got $10K-$15K. See where I’m coming from? Less actual manpower in the beginning (won’t have 3-4 hours of riding to do right away) will give me time to build my training facility (all the places I’m looking at don’t have arenas, maybe a round pen out in the field) but I’ve invested some time that would need to be spent making the farm functional! I also have connections with people that KNOW how to correctly start babies and have high end clientele for me to sell to. Not saying I won’t hit up the auction in VA and see if I can pick up something that is already going, but that’s REALLY hit or miss. My dad has said I can live on the farm rent free, but the horse expenses (not barn/arena, just hay/grain/farrier/vet stuff) are my deal, which gives me some breathing room for a while!
