Katie Navarra

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?

You found the right person for your horse farm or stable job opening, now make sure you truly get them on your team.

Here are five tips to help you get the most out of a face-to-face interview with a potential horse farm or stable job applicant.

Calling references is a time-consuming, but important, part of the hiring process.

When sorting through resumes make sure you know the qualifications you are looking for and the keywords that indicate experience.

Make sure you are posting your job where the people who would be qualified and interested will be looking.

Take time in writing a job description to ensure you not only cover all the tasks, but that it fully defines the new employee's role.

Stable Management's Finding the Right Employee series is designed to give horse farm and stable owners tips on finding and keeping the right person for your equine operation.

Here are some ways to keep your boarding or lesson facility clients engaged with non-riding activities that will keep them connected with your equine business and their barn friends until spring arrives.

Winter can be a great time to introduce newcomers to horses, or to meet community leaders and businesses for spring equine outreach.

Winter might mean fewer riding opportunities, but it can also mean a chance for horse clients to learn more through clinics and seminars.

Just because it is winter doesn't mean you and your clients have to hibernate. If you live where there is winter and snow, then find some ways to keep clients coming out to the barn and enjoying your facility.

Take advantage of winter's less hectic time to help your equine business flourish throughout the year.

A good Facebook page engages the public, responds to followers' comments and is frequently updated.

If your stable or farm is looking for different way to reach the community, PATH Intl. might be able to help you get started.

Taking advantage of a slower time of year can help your business flourish throughout the year.

Plan now, in the winter months, for a more successful busy summer season at your horse facility.

Winter is a great time to think ahead to spring and summer. But go beyond thinking by planning and saving for projects that you want to get done!

The New Year is an opportunity set goals, create resolutions and move your horse business forward toward those objectives.

A spreadsheet is the simplest database you can create for your business. A well-planned spreadsheet can be used to track trends and can serve as a storage area for critical information about clients, finances, veterinary care for specific horses, training hours and more.

Here are 10 Tips to help you get a jump start on making your business more profitable in the new year.

The hustle and bustle of daily activity in a commercial stable provides ample opportunity for clutter to take hold. Here are five tips to help you bust the clutter.

Driving a horse trailer is significantly different than driving a passenger vehicle or sports car down the road. As a horse transporter, you have the responsibility to make sure the trip is safe and comfortable for the horses in tow as well as for the other vehicles on the road.

Cleaning your trailer isn’t a glorious job, but it’s a necessity. Cleaning keeps trailers looking great and extends its lifespan.

Before loading up your horse and heading down the road, include a horse trailer flooring check as part of your pre-trip inspection.