Depending on the list of clients you already have or want to acquire, you should look for a property that meets your business needs. To start on a good note, you must begin by knowing exactly what your pre-requirements are, and stick to them. A well targeted research will from the beginning be faster and more successful.
What property, for what type of activities?
What do you offer your clients? Horse Trekking? Horse livery? Riding lessons? Dressage training? Show-jumping courses? Training to compete? How many horses do you have? Would you like to acquire more horses, specialise in a specific discipline or have many different activities?
You need to identify the specific installations
According to your goal and your profession, you will have to think about the adjustments that need to be done to have the property of your dreams. In particular, you will need to assess whether existing facilities are usable as such or whether they need to be adapted. Will the property need to have a sand arena, a lunging ring, stables, a paddock, an indoor arena ...? And if you want to offer other sports or leisure activities to your clients, why not a tennis court or a swimming pool or ... a jacuzzi? And why not a coffee shop ...!
Know what you want … and what you don’t want!
Of course, these choices are largely determined by the investment you have ... but also by the style, the aspect and the equipment you want your property to offer, and that will set it apart from others. Once you have identified your selection criteria, you can begin to seriously explore your prospects because you will know what you want and ... what you do not want! So, if you work in the horse trekking industry, you will go for a property near a forest. Or if not, if you offer only livery, you will prefer a property with fields, perhaps already equipped with stables.
Outbuildings and life style
Regarding the outbuildings, inform yourself on all the practical and compulsory equipment and facilities already built: Club house, storage shed, grooming rooms and showers, drainage and irrigation system, lighting, feed room, straw/hay shed, cellar, space for vehicles, horse-boxes, lorries and other machines. The state of the road to access the property is of course of essential importance. Also, before taking the plunge and making your purchase a reality, know where the nearest equine vets are and find out about the customer loyalty potential and the attraction of new customers.
A property to look after all year round
Before you make your choice on a specific property, analyze your personal situation. Of course, beyond your professional requirements, the personal aspect will have a huge influence on the setup of the property you choose, depending on whether you are living with a family, provide accommodation to your customers, or welcome permanently (in an outbuilding) some staff (groom-caregiver, for example) who can take care of the property while you are away. Someone has to be there to keep the shop all year round!
For a clear round
All these details must be taken into account and gauged according to your family, social and professional lifestyle. To better manage your selection criteria, Equirodi offers you a service to simplify your approach and accompanies you in your search of an equestrian property, owner, stables or stud. A wide selection is available to you, everywhere in France and Europe. Once your budget is set, and after estimating the cost of new facilities or renovations, the time has arrived to choose. If you have defined and outlined your project previously, the decision will be much easier. Knowing what we are looking for, precisely, and at what price, is a fundamental rule of a successful purchase!
The RODI conclusion
- Search for a property according to its use: equestrian Centre, private property, livery stables or stud farm
- Have a good understanding of your project and its cost before you start searching for the ideal property
- Know in detail what services you will be giving to your clients.
- Are you ready to invest in new equestrian equipment, hospitality, comfort, renovations...?
- Know the outbuildings that you will need; living space for your employees, garage, shed, cellar etc.
