Equine Business Management
Course Name: Equine Business Management
Prerequisites: None
Description:
This course is intended to acquaint students with the concepts and methods of successful management of a Horse Business. Discussions of vehicle uses, Facility Design, Cash Flow Planning, Financing, Record Keeping, Advertising and Public Relations are included.
Weekly Topics:
Week 1. General Concepts: Management, Safety, Herd Instinct, Methodical Pressure
Week 2. Routine Horse Care: Grooming, Stall Cleaning, Cool-out Procedures, Clipping, Mane Pulling, Wrapping/Bandaging, Feeding, and Blacksmith Care.
Week 3. Horse Care Related Issues: Stable Vices, Stable “Bewares”, Clothing for the Horse, Tack Selection, Grooming for Show – Hoof dressings, Braiding, Bandaging the tail, Checkerboards, Clipping for show.
Week 4. Land and Buildings: Barn Construction, Arenas – design and construction, footing
Week 5. Land – value, location – soil properties, fly control, waste removal, drainage, site analysis
Week 6. Equipment: Barn Equipment, Maintenance Equipment, Vehicles, Horse Transportation
Week 7. Barn Management: Responsibilities
Week 8. Barn Management: The Roles of Employers and Employees
Week 9. Marketing and Sales: Research, Advertising, Sales Techniques, Dealing with the Public, Dealing with Clients
Week 10. Business Management: Financial Statement, Accounting, Financial Record Keeping Projections, and Budgets
Week 11. Legal Aspects: Contracts, Taxes, Licenses, Insurance
Week 12. Review and Exams
Performance Objectives:
Following successful completion of Equine Business Management, the student will be able to:
- Explain the procedures of routine horse care and the importance of each including: regular grooming, stall cleaning, cooling out, clipping, mane pulling, wrapping and bandaging, regular feeding, and farrier services.
- Recognize and describe horse care and safety-related issues in a barn
- Describe the proper use of horse clothing, and various types of tack
- Explain procedures for show grooming
- Describe appropriate construction and usability standards for barns and arenas
- Identify equipment used in barn maintenance and describe how it is used
- explain the use of vehicles for horse transportation and the safety issues related to horse transportation
- Describe the knowledge, skills and responsibilities one needs to have to successfully manage a barn
- Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and relationships that exist between employers and employees
- Describe effective marketing and sales strategies including the roles of: research, advertising, sales techniques, and public and client relations.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of business management issues including: financial statements, accounting, record-keeping, and budgetary concerns/constraints.
- Show a basic understanding of contracts, tax issues, licensing agreements, and insurance
- Gain a greater appreciation for the school and the safety and management procedures that are employed throughout the site and programs
Methods:
In order for students to acquire the knowledge and skills in Equine Business Management, the instructor will use a variety of teaching methods including: expository learning, discussion, demonstration, role playing, & guided practice. Students are able to learn many of the concepts firsthand through observation and analysis of policies and practices used at the school. Applications will be made to the management of the school business and issues related to its successful management practices. Applications will be made to the safety procedures and barn management practices used at the school.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on their knowledge & skills through teacher made tests, notebook entries, and class participation. Formative assessments will be used to guide the teaching/learning process and will allow students to monitor their progress throughout the course.
