HELP!! I wanna own my own barn someday and need to know what I should do for an ed.

[Horse Crazy 2007]

Hey,
All right so I graduated in 2007 from High School and went to college for a semester and took one class on Business Ethics (which was really a waiste but was an ok class). Anyway ever since then I have been working three jobs. I've been exercising Tennessee Walkers for a local owner/breeder along with his paint mare. I've been teching riding lessons at JT Ranch and am actually hoping to become certified through the cha this spring, and I've been working at Rite Aid as a cashier and it turns out currently they're training me to be a technician!

Anyway I really wanna be able to own my own barn and both train horses, breed some, and teach riding lessons (it's kinda a passion of mine that I've wanted for a while). I've been looking into a school in OR called CanyonView Equestrian College and like their class and stuff but the more I hear about them the more unsure I am. I've looked at other colleges for a minor in Equine Business Management but looking in lots of different blogs and saw that most people found them a waist of time and that school is kinda pointless for this.

I was talking with the JT Ranch owner and she basically jumped into it and admitted that we could be doing better as a business everywhere from basic management, expenses, advertising and everything else. I really dont want to make the same mastake when I have my own and know that I need some sort of education that would help my business when I start one.

So I guess my question is what classes or courses would you recommend for an inspired ranch owner who wants to really profit from the business and keep a good reputation all the while?

thanks
Kayla!!

[jump_in_Niilta]

oh my, what a pickle, eh?

i dont know :( you should definitely go to school for it though :|

sorry i could be no help :(

[painthorsegirl101]

um, i'm not an official at this or anyhting. but a business class and some for horse training then lesson teaching

OR

you could find someone to be your business partner so that you don't have to do so many classes

idk if this'll help, but it's all i could think of :D

[Manda]

Find a college that offers Barn Management as a course. That's all I can really suggest. Also take finance classes, to help you learn how to manage your money.

[DawningHope]

I'm actually going to college to major in equestrian! I want to do the same thing as you! I'm going to either Averett University in Danville, VA or Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, VA. I don't think it's a waste of time at all, you will get a degree, which means you can charge more to clients, and you will be doing something you love! I hope you find something you like! Feel free to talk anytime!

[StarGirl]

Equine Business Management

You can take it online, google it.

And good luck!

[moodymare]

Have a search about first before diving straight in. :) As the others have mentioned google it and have a look on the net, see which colleges provide what and go from there. But I'd deffinatly say opt for something along the lines of economics and business studies [not sure what they are in america] deffinatly have a look into barn management as Manda suggested, but finance is also critical so you keep a good business going.

I wish you all the best! :p

[Skip_n_Hide]

Talking to colleges and going to open days can help alot with this sort of thing

[moodymare]

Talking to colleges and going to open days can help alot with this sort of thing

Yes thats deffinatly a good idea, it'll give you a good judgement on how it'll be like in college. :)

[Sheza_Angel]

I recommend touring some universities. I spent last year doing that a lot. I should have toured one place more though because I can't stand the one I am at. Just ask the head of the animal science/agricultural departments if you can sign up for a campus/program tour. That is what we did and it helped narrow down the list of universities quite fast. It doesn't take long for you to figure out the focuses of the university and what they are wanting to accomplish in their program. But yeah do take some finance and agribusiness/management classes. Equine business at West Texas A&M is a good bet.