Breeding farm with foals and young horses

Riders, trainers, competition barns and owners looking for a young horse with known breeding. Stud services bring in outside mare owners.

Foal and young horse sales, added value from early training, and stud fees or mare boarding if you have a stallion or spare stalls.

• Horse breeding and foaling knowledge
• Daily horse care and pasture management
• Basic business and bookkeeping
• Marketing and building a reputation

• Land, fencing, barn and equipment are major costs, so test the numbers carefully before you commit
• Zoning, manure management and agricultural rules, check with your county and state agriculture department
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire help
• Sales tax and livestock sales rules that vary by state, check with your state revenue department
• Horse prices and demand can shift, and sales take a long time, so plan for months with little income

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on land, fencing, barn, equipment and the broodmares you buy. These are major costs, so test the numbers carefully before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many foals and young horses you sell and any stud services. Demand can shift and sales take time, so plan for months with little income.

Check zoning, manure management and agricultural rules with your county and state agriculture department. Also check workers' compensation once you hire help, and sales tax and livestock sales rules with your state revenue department, since these vary by state.