Just purchaced a new home just outside of Ames with 4.4 acres (3 small pastures, indoor riding arean w/ 6 horse stables, small outbuilding for hay/equiptment,)
I need any advise you can spare. We have never had an acreage and don't know the first thing about horses. We are planning on self care boarding the stables for a little bit of suplimentary income.
Eventually plan on having a horse or two of our own.
I am going to need to purchace a tractor for mowing/snow plowing, and areana maintenance. I am thinking a smaller tractor with a bucket and will need a grader for driveway. Hope to get one with a 60" mowing deck.
Anyway, any tips would be greatly appreciated.
From someone that grew up around horses/ponies and horse/pony people, grew up on a farm (livestock & grain), plus have lived on 16+ acres most of my life. (Currently in a city & can't wait for retirement and to go back to the country)
1. Seriously reconsider continuing with horses. Caring for and/or boarding livestock is a lot of work and will tie you down. Want to go away for a week? You'll need somoeone to monitor the place, check the livestock. Even horses can be a Houdini with getting out of a pen.
If you do decide to continue with boarding horses, research and learn as much as you can. Find others that do the same thing, go to their place and see how it's set up. Talk to them to learn more. Talk to people that own horses. Collaborate as much as possible. Best thing would be to spend a full week helping out someone else that does this. People invest a lot of $$ in their horses, so they will expect the best care.
2. Mowing that much will depend on what you like to do. We mowed almost 4 acres. We had a JD with a 60" deck and pulled a 60" offset mower behind it. Some days mowing was a PITA and other days getting on that mower was therapy & unwind time.
3. Definitely consider a snowblower that attaches to the tractor. You will be able to use it for the driveway and the large outdoor pens.
4. Get a generator for the barn - especially if you have livestock. If you have a well, be sure the generator will also run that.
5. Consider getting a Ranger or something similar. We had one at our last place (40 acres) and used it all the time. It was great for hauling things, plus we had a snowplow attachment and a winch. The snowplow worked perfect for the smaller snows. Bigger ones - we wished we'd had a large snowblower attachment. (They probably make those for UTVs now)
6. Keep in mind you will be dealing with the public and be honest with yourself on what you can/can't handle in that respect. Have very well written contracts for people to sign. The days of hand shakes and giving your word are gone, no matter how nice they seem or how well you know them. Clearly define rules, expectations and what you are and are not providing. Then stick with them. If you want some wiggle room, I'd also incorporate those options in a contract. Someone at some point will try to take advantage.
Other ideas that could generate income (instead of boarding horses):
* Figure out how to park campers and/or boats in your barn area for the winter. You may have a few that would be willing to pay to park outside behind your barn.
* Convert the barn to an event center where people can host weddings, reunions or corporate events. You can always start off simple and "rustic", then add more to it (and charge more) as you make money. It appears you have the space for parking and expansion (outdoor patio, fire pit, etc).
* Plant a big flower garden and pumpkin patch. There seems to be quite a market for this lately. Lots of ways you can do that, too. People can come to your place to buy, tour the garden. Farmers market. Flower stand out front. (You could still have your own horses for people to look at and pet)