Welcome To The "Neigh"borhood

Today is the day we honor the animal that helped shape our world, the horse. Horses are one of the most loved livestock in the world. 31% of American homes have one person living there in love with horses. Horses have been domesticated since around 3500 BC in South Russia and Kazakhstan. Today horses are still used for manual labor and transportation, while in some parts they are used in animal-assisted therapy programs. Few ranches specialize in breeding and training champion sport horses. The horse, or equine, industry in the US alone makes $122 billion, along with 1.7 million jobs. There are 60 million horses of more than 400 breeds living on 459,526 horse ranches around the world. In a post-apocalyptic world, horses will be the cornerstone of society during this time. They will be key players in the rebuilding your community. Here is how to start your own horse ranch.

Buying The Land

You’ll need enough land for both stables (houses for the horses), important structures, and roaming land for your horses. You’ll want to focus on acreage and land condition. A good rule of thumb is 2 acres per horse. The land should be relatively away from wooded areas and standing water. Flat, dry, grassy plots are ideal for this project. Examine the surroundings to ensure your horses' needs can be fulfilled, including food, water, and vet care. Make sure the nearby vet specializes in horse care, or there is one close by. Talk to your future neighbors to see if they would have a problem with your animals, and what you need to do to make them feel comfortable with your ranch. Contact the local animal control to see if there is any wildlife nearby that can pose a threat to your horses, and how to keep them away from your property to keep them safe.

The Legal Stuff

There are quite a few legal issues you need to work through prior to opening. First is to acquire the necessary permits and licenses your state needs you to have on hand. Everyone has different rules, so you’ll need to contact the State’s Department of Agriculture for information on this. They will also tell you the rules you need to follow regarding water drainage, manure disposal, and overall safety requirements for land and structures. You’ll need to sit down with a lawyer to discuss setting up an operating agreement to manage the business and financial side of things. If you plan to take care of other people’s horses, you’ll need a legally binding boarding agreement drafted for clients. If you are going to offer riding or sports training, you’ll need a limited liability waiver to protect your ranch from lawsuits. Breeding contracts and bills of sale are also good paperwork to keep on hand.

Building The Structures

The most important structure and the first one you should build is the stable. A stable is a large building where livestock, like horses, are kept. Stables are often divided into individual rooms called stalls. Each horse should have their own stall. It’s wise if boarding or breeding horses that you have a couple of empty, clean ones available for overflow or emergency cases. The standard stall is 12X12 feet big. It should provide good ventilation and protection from the elements. The center aisle barn style is the most common stable design. Once your stable is built, there are other important structures you’ll need. Each horse eats 20 lbs of feed a day, so you’ll need a building to store enough for them to last a couple of days. Keep them clean and healthy by having a washroom on site. The tack room serves as a meeting place for clients and staff. It will also showcase any awards your horses won.

Stable Equipment

Once the structure is built, you’ll need some essential items to keep operations around the ranch running smoothly. Every stall should have two water buckets, feeding tough, and hay nets. Mucking out, or cleaning out, the stalls is one of the biggest responsibilities of owning a ranch. Have supplies on hand to do that such as rubber mats, extra straw, manure fork, wheelbarrow, and a rake. You’ll need to keep the yard, aisle, and other areas the horse can reach clean and debris-free. The feed storage building should be free of pests and contain supplies to distribute food to the horses. The washroom should have grooming supplies on hand and within reach of those in there. A majority of a ranch’s money comes from teaching others how to ride horses, so if you plan on doing that, you’ll need riding helmets, saddles, bridles, and other riding equipment of various sizes.

Buying Horses

Now that everything is stocked and up to code, it is time to head out to buy horses. Horses often range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the breed, age, and pedigree. Sites like equine.com provide a platform for ranchers to buy and sell their extra horses. Take the horse out for a ride prior to purchasing it to see if you two are a good fit. Horses can develop a personality that might not work for your needs. Bring it to the vet, or bring the vet with you, to have it examined to make sure it is of good health and capable of performing the job you need it to do. Ask the buyer to see the horse’s registration certificate at the time of purchase to back up any claims they are making about the animal. Once the horse checks out and the vet clears it, you’ll need a way to bring them home. You’ll need a livestock trailer big enough for the animal to stand comfortably in during transport.