Hi,
I'm a riding instructor (International Level One). I worked at a riding school/Hippotherapy Center in South Africa teaching all sorts riders and training the horses. It was called Eagle Riding Center and it was run by a Christian guy. Very relaxed and nice place. Almost all the horses were rescued from abusive homes.
Have been blessed by the Lord with a few stable yards/ranch properties which I've run. I am 26, so have not yet saved up enough to buy my own... will one of these days! But all the properties I have used, have been sections of rich land owners' farms, with stables, or a corner of the field where I put temporary barns up and a ring to work the horses. Mostly, I got them for quite inexpensive rent money, because being rich, some people often feel they "should" have horses in their fields, and when approached by a knowledgeable horseperson, who will give them the pleasure of looking out the window and seeing horses grazing, but not have to do any of the work in keeping them, they jump at the chance! And visitors (friends) of theirs always LOVE going down and saying hi to the horses.
I have always prayed for the places, when I needed them, and put up adverts etc and God is SO faithful and never failed me... often I had to choose between properties! Remember, He delights in giving you the desires of your heart! You are His child and He LOVES you and wants you to prosper at all you put your hand to.
I would advise you, if you are serious about getting in to the horse business, to work in it first - at a good barn, riding school etc. - and then to get a few horsey qualifications. It will give you confidence, will help with insurance, give you credibility and you may learn something that could save your or a clients horse if it gets sick or injured etc... horses are a science as well as an art. Incorrect feeding can kill them, ill-fitting saddles can cause them agony, poor hoof-care can make them lame etc. etc. You have to know what you are doing if you are planning to take on a barn full of horses. Training methods, teaching methods, basic business and marketing skills - most of these things can be learned from books. Be sure you see the whole picture and are committed to doing things thoroughly for your, your horses' and your clients' well-being. Nothing beats learning from observing and copying a real experienced, knowledgable teacher though. Theory and practise have to go together before you can call yourself experienced or knowledgable in the horse industry.
Phew... long post. Hope some of it is helpful. Don't be put off by any of the stuff I said. Working with horses is awesome. It is a lovely day's work... satisfying, healthy, outdoors, rewarding and lucrative. an be tiring, so eat healthy! Are you thinking of doing trail rides? Hippotherapy? Riding school? Training yard? Livery?
I'll pray for your venture, that the Lord will bless it and show you His will!
but not Christian friends who also ride/compete...
Hello!! Can I join the club!?!??
I have been researching Hippotherapy, and I want to own my own ranch that performs that there! I went to the ranch today to get trained so I can volunteer with the student riders in the Hippotherapy programs! I was a bit nervous about being around the horses since I haven't been around them in so long, but I know I'll get used to them again!! Does anyone own their own ranch?? If so, how did you get it started?? I'd LOVE to start on that now so when I graduate from college I could possible open it a couple of years later!
