Here are tips for managing the horses that are lower on your herd's pecking order.

Horses have a natural tendency to alter the social hierarchy based on the herd’s needs and to encourage cohesion, but the human-horse interaction changes that dynamic.

Bad behavior can be caused by a physical problem or it can be learned.

Spookiness in horse might be hereditary, learned or caused by a physical problem.

Having a herd-bound horse is stressful to the animal and to the owner.

Understanding the issue causing the "sour" response will help you determine how to work with that horse.

Once the veterinarian has ruled out or treated a physical problem, look toward individual horse preferences and idiosyncrasies.

Recognizing change in the dynamics in a herd is as important as watching horses that appear to be chronically subordinate.

Playful horses might need to be grouped with other exuberant individuals so that those less inclined to engage in play have a chance to rest.

Run-in sheds can offer much-needed relief from summer's heat, and here are tips to make them more efficient.

You’ve built a great equine business, and although your exit is a long way off, now is the time to consider what will happen after you leave.

Make sure your fire prevention is up to snuff, and that your automatic waterers are doing their jobs.

Installing security cameras in your horse barn or stable can keep your property and animals safer and give you peace of mind.

Make sure that neighbors know that you are doing all that you can to run your equine business while being a good neighbor.

Using your stable's horses for community events and festivals can bring in extra money, but you must have the right horses and training to be safe.

Work with your horses ahead of time to ensure they will be good citizens and not be scared of being in a parade or event.

As part of our Horses in the Community series, we look at the possibility of using your equines for weddings.

Making an effort to educate non-horse neighbors can go a long way in alleviating tensions over muck on the roads and shared pathways.

Here are four tips to make your word-of-mouth marketing efforts grow this year.

An effective marketing strategy is built around understanding the business’ target audience.

Whether taking a horse to an event or gathering fellow riders to help a charity, your equine facility can give back to the community.

Horse facilities and boarding stables can give back to the industry through coaching the next generation.

Those who run equine businesses that give back to the community enjoy many benefits, including the "feel-good" reward of giving back.

In this series, we will look at the different ways you can give back to the community with horses.

Once you decide on a cell phone policy that is practical for your barn, put it in writing and ask employees to sign an acknowledgement of it.

Apps on your mobile device can help you find goods and services that your horse business might need.

The ultimate goal of any marketing strategy is to keep communication flowing between you and current clients and to introduce new clients to your barn and convert them into clients.

Done well, e-newsletters are a trusted resource to current and potential clients.

Invest some dollars and hours now in buying and setting up recordkeeping software in order to streamline your equine business.

There are many benefits to hosting working students at your horse farm or stable.

The ongoing, specialized needs of a therapeutic horse facility can mean more opportunities for sponsorships.

General equine event sponsors can help offset the cost of putting on a show or clinic, which can make participation more affordable.

Signage at horse shows and clinics is a popular way to reward sponsors for supporting your event.

Educational seminars are a good way to introduce new clients to your services and to provide additional learning opportunities for your current boarders or customers.

Once you attract sponsors to your equine business or event, you must make sure they are getting what they want out of the arrangement or they won't remain as supporters very long.

Here are four types of sponsorships you might want to consider for your equine program.

Securing sponsorships are a lot of work, but the benefits can be substantial.

Controlling clutter in tack rooms is difficult, but these tips can help you take control.

Sometimes things don't work out, and you need to professionally tell an outside instructor he or she is no longer able to use your facility.

Sponsoring outside instructors for clinics and special events can be another source of income for your equine business.

While it isn't a requirement in the U.S. to have certification to be a riding instructor, there can be many benefits to having those people working with your equine business.

Managing the schedule of when facilities are in use and when boarding clients have access is important to the success of having outside riding instructors.

Decide ahead of time if your horses will be used by outside instructors and what the fee structure will be.

Finding the right outside equine trainer or riding instructor is as important as having the right tax structure established.

Working with professionals who are not a part of your barn’s staff can have its drawbacks.

Hiring or allowing outside instructors or trainers to work at your barn has benefits for you and your clients.

If you run an equine business long enough you probably will have to terminate an employee at some point. Make sure you do it within the law.

Is an employee not working out because of his or her lack of work ethic or missing training from you?