Equine entrepreneurs put passion into business

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Horsing around is welcomed work, not goofing off, for horse lovers who've turned their passion for equines into cash.

It's easy enough to loudly sigh and say, "Maybe someday," before sadly shuffling off to a tedious workplace. Money, time, doubt, fear and lack of business experience are the top excuses that keep a "someday" dream soundly asleep. But those restricting reasons can be overcome.

Business start-up money can be had from diverse sources including small business loans, government loans and grants for women and minorities, private financial investors, second mortgages or a business partner.

To combat time constraints, all that's needed is a viable schedule designed by time assessment and management. Equine-related businesses can be anything from full time to part time and all timetables in between.

Trample doubt and fear beneath busy boots by following a solid business plan. First determine if a need actually exists for the prospective venture and how many competing businesses exist in the intended geographic marketplace or online.

It won't look good on if it doesn't fit. That obvious piece of clothing advice also applies to self-employment. It'll be 24/7, so unless there's passion for the business it won't succeed. Look at a few possibilities at a time and give them a mental try on.

Among the more popular trades are horseshoeing, saddle-making, auctioneering, free-lance writing for breed organizations or horse publications, horse appraising and racehorse grooming or exercising.

Further beneath the thinking cap await uncommon ideas such as plaiting/braiding horsehair into tack or jewelry, wholesaling equine veterinary supplies, giving seminars on your line of equine expertise, opening an equestrian bookstore, publishing a local equine newsletter, booking horseback tours at U.S. and foreign guest ranches, making and marketing equine products such as organic horse treats, running a dude/guest ranch or setting up a bed, barn and breakfast establishment.

One great thing about creating an equine business is that there are no boundaries. Combine ideas and think outside the fence.

One such "horses in many pastures" business owner is Cheryl Rennels. The Livermore entrepreneur raises quarter horses, publishes equine-themed and other books, markets therapeutic grade essential oils for horses, and makes and markets Total Equine Supplement, which is a free-choice block of salt, minerals, vitamins, protein, probiotics and Rush Creek Mineral. The supplement began as an import of sorts, as Rennels had been purchasing it for six years from an Idaho man who owned rights to the formula. Eventually he gave her permission to manufacture and sell his product.

Rennels is enthusiastic about all the branches of her equine business tree. "My passion is to develop a product and information that support a healthy, balanced horse," she said.

A multi-faceted business tends to be more labor-intensive than a singularly focused one. But it also squelches all things humdrum. And the facets needn't be identically sized. For example, an entrepreneur can devote 20 hours a week to one part, four hours to another and intermittent time to a third.

One north Fort Collins woman has found her equine niche. Erin Wilson-Kaufman owns Complete Equine Services. Six years as a barn manager in Waverly and a degree in equine science propelled Wilson-Kaufman into her thriving comprehensive business. The busy mom enjoys the flexibility of hours in which she serves as a surrogate caretaker for horses of traveling owners, riding instructor, stall cleaning/maintenance technician and lay-up caregiver at owners' sites. Wilson-Kaufman is insured and has more than 15 years of experience. These factors bolster her resume and have brought her 80 retained clients.

"Owning my own business gives me freedom to be who I want to be and freedom to my clients to leave home with trust and confidence their horses are well cared for," she said.

Personal interests, skills, physical abilities and long-range goals lead potential equine entrepreneurs into the starting gate. A good business plan helps avoid stumbles when that barrier flies open. Heart, stamina and passion will assure a winning cross of the finish line.

Not everyone is suited to self-employment, but for those horse devotees who are, a business with hooves is an exhilarating ride that can carry them all the way to the bank.