Small horse boarding barn

Recreational riders and horse owners without their own land, often living in or near towns and cities.

Monthly board fees per horse, with extras such as blanketing, turnout, feed top-ups, hay, and manure removal. Full-care board earns more than pasture or self-care board.

• Horse care and handling
• Reliable daily routine, including winter mornings
• Fencing, barn and pasture upkeep
• Dealing well with horse owners

• Commercial general liability and care, custody and control insurance, and ask about equine liability rules in your province
• Zoning, farm or business licence and manure management rules, which vary by municipality and province
• Fire safety, fencing and safe handling facilities
• Winter costs for hay, water heating and snow clearing
• Check with your insurer and a lawyer about boarder contracts and liability waivers
• Startup costs depend heavily on what you already have: new fencing, shelter, stalls, water supply and winter-proof water systems can add up quickly

Estimates typically run around $25,000 to $120,000, depending heavily on what you already have. New fencing, shelter, stalls, water supply and winter-proof water systems can add up quickly.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many horses you board and whether you offer pasture, self-care or full-care boarding. Winter costs for hay, water heating and snow clearing also affect what you keep.

Check zoning, any farm or business licence and manure management rules with your municipality and province. Also check liability insurance, fire safety, fencing, and boarder contracts and waivers with your insurer and a lawyer.