Interested in renting out our horse barn space & 3 acres of pasture. Recs?

Question

I essentially want to enjoy the horses, not have the work and make some income in the meantime. THANKS.

Answer 1

What do you mean by enjoy?  Do you plan to ride them? Or just want something pretty in the pasture?

Renting out a barn can bring in a little money, but do the numbers first  Check into the cost of extra insurance, wear-and-tear, repairs, pasture maintenance, etc.    Then check to see how much a small barn in your area rents for.  

In my area a small barn and 3 acres might only support 2 horses, so I'd only expect to pay maybe $300-500 for it...maybe a little more if you had a riding ring or backed to a really great state park.   The horse owner has to figure in the cost of hay, grain, and everything else and then compare renting your place vs boarding and having it all included.

I'd start by checking your local papers for ads, just to get an idea how much boarding or barn rentals go for.  Then talk to your insurance agent to see how much the extra insurance will cost.

Answer 2

With only three acres of pasture, you're not going to be able to take many on, so while you'll be able to enjoy them, the $$ is not likely going to let you retire.

People who board have different needs, so you need to evaluate what sort of accomodations you can offer.

Safe, secure fencing is a must.  Barbed wire and uncapped t-posts won't cut it with your boarders.  You'll also need to come up with some clear rules/guidelines and spell out your expectations clearly.  Some of those issues will cover "barn etiquette (how they treat their horses and fellow boarders) and health requirements...vaccines and such.  

For instance, if it's self care, how many days will you let a stall go before you clean it and charge them?  And how much will that charge be?

You'll need to have means to communicate with your boarders, who uses what farrier/vet, and how to contact them if another boarder's horse is sick or hurt and they happen to be the first to discover it.

Do you have room for an arena/ring?  Are you near a trail head?  Are you going to allow guests to come in and out?  Will it be free access, or will there be a closing time for the barn at night?

Does your state have protection for "equine professionals" limiting liability?  Be sure to post required signage and check with your insurance company.  I'd never do anything like this without getting a liability umbrella in addition to my homeowners...not very expensive at all.

How will you charge?  For self care, you'll need a secure area for individual boarders to keep their hay.  I'd probably keep hay on hand for them to buy from me, in a secure area, so if a boarder abandoned their horse in December, you'd not be in a hay pinch.

Answer 3

I gotta say, CNSDubie has it covered and very well...listen to her, she definitely knows what she's talking about.

Answer 4

I rented a 5 stall barn that had a few acres (I think only 2).

I also had to put up a fence (electric) since there was no fencing.

Running water and electric was included.

There was a big field to ride in (flat and even) or wooded trails.

I paid $150 a month. (what a deal, especially since I was in financial straits!)

I didn't need an arena like most want.  I didn't need a wash stall...or a place to jump.

I just wanted a place to house my horses and enjoy them.

Backyard homey style boarding.  Loved it!

The landlord never bothered me (lived in a different state) and I paid the rent.  Only seen him twice in the year I boarded there.

I piled the manure so it had easy access.

I just had to remove the manure pile when I left :)

(Craigslist and a landscaper took it)

Are you renting the entire barn to one person or are you doing rough board per stall?

Answer 5

Most of it was covered but I would add manure removal....where is it going to be put and how will it be removed from the property and who will take it?  Will you be charged for that?  Will the type of bedding used be an issue (mixes in with manure) and who will clean it up/harrow it in the pastures? Also, will you allow smoking anywhere?  Alcohol?