Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business

Since 1997, Storey's "Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business," by Mary Ashby McDonald, has sold 72,000 copies in 17 printings. It is the best-selling book in its category. The book's success stems from its exceptional utility; with its practical "how-to" format, step-by-step approach, and business-ready resources, McDonald simplifies the challenge of running a profitable horse business. Now, for the first time, this best-seller has been fully updated and revised. "Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business" includes an expanded section on safety, tips for operating a riding school or horse camp, strategies for launching a carriage business, tax and insurance advice, and suggestions from successful equestrian entrepreneurs and enterprises. The author, a veterinarian, offers instructions for developing a herd health plan, encouraging readers to practice good preventive care, and healthier horses mean lower veterinary bills. The book helps readers succeed in the Information Age as well, with suggestions for online marketing and resources. The book is filled with money-saving tips, record-keeping forms that can be easily photocopied, and simple lesson plans for schools and camps. Running any equestrian business inevitably involves a dizzying array of details. But with McDonald's smart, savvy, and strategic guidance, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Now more than ever, "Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business" is the one book that industrious equestrians can t afford to be without.

Praise for the First Edition: "This book gives valuable advice to the prospective entrepreneur thinking of investing time and money in starting a horse business." "Times" (Huntsville, AL)

"If you've ever thought about starting your own horse business, be sure to pick up, well, "Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business" . . . y]ou'll be hooked from the opening chapter. . . ." "Horse & Rider"

“eoeBe sure to pick upeS tarting & Running Your Own Horse Business . Youe(tm)ll be hooked from the opening chapters on logos, barn colors, and business card designs, through the appendices full of handy forms, schedules and contact information. In between youe(tm)ll find detailed information on management, riding programs, boarding, leasing, breeding, buying/selling, cost-cutting, and more.e e" Horse & Rider magazine eoeehelps the horseman become more aware of his responsibilities as business manager and owner.e e" Western Horseman eoeesound suggestions to the horseman-turned-businessman translate whate(tm)s going on at the barn into generally accepted accounting principlesee e" Western Horseman”

"Be sure to pick up...Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business. You'll be hooked from the opening chapters on logos, barn colors, and business card designs, through the appendices full of handy forms, schedules and contact information. In between you'll find detailed information on management, riding programs, boarding, leasing, breeding, buying/selling, cost-cutting, and more." - Horse & Rider magazine

"...helps the horseman become more aware of his responsibilities as business manager and owner." - Western Horseman

"...sound suggestions to the horseman-turned-businessman translate what's going on at the barn into generally accepted accounting principles..." - Western Horseman

Author Mary Ashby McDonald holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is the former manager of the 460-acre Medway Ranch in Austin, Texas.

Turn Your Passion into a Profession Your devotion to horses is the key ingredient in a profitable equestrian career. Now revised and expanded, Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business offers complete advice on putting your love for horses to work. A larger selection on safety, tax and insurance advice, and many new suggestions for starting successful equestrian businesses make this new edition the must-have book for horse entrepreneurs. An experienced stable manager and practicing veterinarian, Mary Ashby McDonald shares her money-making ideas and cost-saving techniques for launching and running a successful business. "Now this is a really useful horse business guide...McDonald includes a variety of money-saving and -making suggestions." - Horse Country "If you've ever thought about starting your own horse business, be sure to pick up, well, Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business ." - Horse & Rider "The ideas in this book are accurate and solid. Unfortunately, along the way, I've made many of the classic business blunders Mary mentions [in this book]. Hopefully reading this will help others avoid the same mistakes in the future." - Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Fargis, Owner/Manager/Trainer, Sandron Farm Learn How To: Create a business plan that puts your existing horses and facilities to work Manage your time, your money, and your employees Choose affordable insurance coverage that keeps your customers and your horses safe and protects you from financial liability Operate an exciting variety of horse ventures from camps to carriage services Develop an appealing name, logo, and icon for your business Identify the best marketing and advertising opportunities Offer additional services your customers need: grooming, cleaning tack, transportation, catching and holding, consulting, administering medications Reduce vet bills: implement sound preventative strategies and do your own vaccinating and deworming Save on feed costs

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