Thursday 30 June 2011

Buying a horse? Dont make these mistakes


It’s imperative that you discern the purpose of your soon to be horse as this will guide you to getting the kind of horse most appropriate.
·         As a first time horse buyer, avoid buying at an auction- this kind of  arrangement does not allow you time to assess and evaluate the animals on offer. It also hardly allows you the insight of an impartial professional
·         Going for cheap-While it is important that at the current state of the economy you spend wisely, you should keep in mind the saying that cheap is expensive. Enquire why it goes for the cheapest price. Then again keep in mind that the reason might be because the seller is desperate to sell so do not completely rule it out. Get a second and even third opinion
·         Buying an untrained horse- Unless you have vast experience with horses which I assume you don’t, go for a horse that is relatively mature and trained. Buying an untrained horse will see you spend more money on a trainer soon afterwards. Then again don’t go for a horse that by far surpasses your level of proficiency as far as horsing is concerned unless you are considering getting some training before you can ride alone.
·         Failing to get the horse’s health evaluated – It isn’t wrong as some might think, to bring your vet along if only to be sure.  Get their general observations including what they think about the horse’s feeding habit, the standing posture, skin, everything and anything. Don’t be afraid that you’ll appear naïve.
·         Being too firm on the exact physical characteristics the horse must possess. Say coloring, coat pattern and what have you. Allow other ideas too.
·         Failing to get insurance- Most people underestimate the value of horse insurance forgetting the amount agony it may save you in the future since there is always a possibility that something could go wrong even with all the precautionary measures. 
      After all is said and done, your horse needs a great place where he can feel at home so don’t deny him that because as they say; a happy horse = a happy owner



                                                                                   
                                                               
        

Sunday 26 June 2011

Horse Properties: Getting started in equine business

Horse Properties: Getting started in equine business: "Before venturing into equine business, it is expected that you have carried out a vast research on the pros and cons of this kind of entrepr..."

Saturday 25 June 2011

sTAY INFORMED -eQUINE HEALTH.


The importance of your horse’s health can never be overemphasized .A sick horse is of no much use and could be a major source of distress. It is however possible to keep diseases at bay by carrying out certain precautionary measures. Just like the old adage goes; prevention is better than cure. It is also important that you already can tell between a sick and a healthy horse otherwise the difference will be the same. Outlined below are some activities that every horse owner should carry out on a daily basis
Your horse’s feeding pattern- How can you describe his appetite keeping in mind that horses EAT. If on more than one occasion he left his food untouched or ate too little then it would be about time you sought the services of a medic. And when we are still dealing with matters food, I need to point out that indeed your horses excretion says a lot. A healthy horse’s manure is soft though well formed and not watery. On the other hand an unhealthy horse’s manure is either too soft or too hard. If too hard it could normally mean that he has not been taking enough water and thus a digestion problem. If too soft it could be a worm problem and at times an indication that perhaps the diet is too rich with certain components. Worms could be deadly. De-worm your horses on time.
Observe your horse’s feet as small stones and other substances could find their way into his hooves. This could not only be a major source of distress but could develop to an ailment if left unattended. Use a hoof pick to remove the substances .Check for cracks and other anomalies
Eyes- just like in human beings, eyes say a lot. Watery, swollen or an abnormal coloration in the eyes should raise concern. Apart from being a sign of any bodily ailment, it could also be a sign of an eye condition and could develop to equine blindness if unattended.
The horses lying and standing posture-A healthy horse should look peaceful when lying down. However an unhealthy horse looks agitated; writhes repeatedly and expresses discomfort in his facial expressions. If this goes on for long, it is certainly time to call a vet. As it’s commonly known horses do not stand with their front legs resting, so if this happens, it should raise your attention.
There are many signs that you should look out for, Hence you should take your time to observe every part including the ears, nose, teeth etc 
Be alert lest your horse dies on you!



Friday 17 June 2011

How do I REALLY make money with my business?

The term business has been defined as having intent to make money. That said however, it is important to remember that having an intention is not enough if it is not accompanied by some actions. See for most people it starts as a passion, grows into a hobby and before long it graduates to a business.It is important to learn how to deal with each of these phases and specifically the business phase because if you treat it as you have other previous phases, you are not going to make money! Below I have compiled some tips that can aid you in your endeavors to make money .Just for the record though; no one can claim to have specific tips with which you can acquire success. It takes a lot to succeed and you cannot get it all from one source. Below are just some important things that you must do if you are to make money
  • Identify you market niche- See you can never be the best in everything no matter how good you may be in multitasking. Concentrate on something you are skilled in. Ask yourself what your unique talent is. Something you are capable of doing with consistency and that customers can identify you with. Ensure that several months down the line when they come back they will still get the services. This actually goes for any business not just equine.
  • Network- Networking goes beyond passing your business card to everybody that comes your way. Find relevant channels through which you can market your services/products. Say for example you are a horse trainer or perhaps you trade in horse properties etc. Offer to give a talk for free at seminars or workshops dealing with the same. Volunteer to offer your services say at non profit organizations or rescue centers. Well, if you are stingy its going to be hard .Good thing is that before long you will become immensely popular and this shall surely come with a prize
  • Communicate wisely and efficiently- they say the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach and I say that the way to a customers pocket is through words. Well there is more to this than being a smooth talker. You have to be convincing. Make them believe that you offer the best deal in town and that they would be loosing big if they didn’t buy from you. Make them feel that they need you. Never make yourself sound desperate. Then again no matter how rich you are in words, if your products do not speak for themselves, you will not make money .Exude confidence as you go about your businesses too.
  • Be good in what you do- This does not mean perfect. At least be an expert in your own rights. Be creative too. Present your clients with a package different from what they have seen else where. Throw in some freebies, and extra services. It doesn’t matter how cheap they come. Nobody hates free things.
  • Remain focused-There is always a bad season in every business. Do not allow to be disheartened. It is however important to put up strategies that will see you through harsh times. Want to learn some of these? At www.horseproperties.net we shall keep you well informed because your success matters to us!

Thursday 16 June 2011

Looking to advertise or buy horse property?

Internet advertising is arguably one of the best tools in the market today. It would however be naïve of anyone to think that at the click of a button they have landed in success land. Whether you are a property owner looking to increase sales or a buyer searching for the best offer out there, it would be very important to ensure that you will get value for your money and that the site you subscribe to is well capable of seeing your wishes and hopes materialize. See you could be fishing hard and with the best equipment but if you are not fishing where the fish is, it will all be in vain. There are too many unscrupulous sites out there that will promise to take you to heaven but the moment you make your payment you are as good as dead to them.
Well if you are tired of surfing continually on the internet or moving from one town to the other looking to sell or buy an equestrian home then you can relax and breathe easy because we have an offer you cannot resist. At www.horseproperties.net, we have designed a platform that brings home buyers and sellers together in an interaction like no other.
It is important to identify a site that is not only inclined to your market niche but one that has well laid mechanisms that can without a doubt translate your efforts into sales. We are capable of providing exposure to your property say equestrian real estate.We shall advertise your property directly to the horse owner/ enthusiast  as we have built a name for ourselves and I dare say we can live up to our reputation and possibly surpass your expectations. We shall save your time, energy and more so money .As for those that are looking to buy horse property, we serve you from a horse enthusiast’s perspective as we understand not only your needs but also your horse's. We give a meticulous attention to detail on all properties advertised on  our site to ensure we recommend the best because just “okay” is not okay with us.

Getting started in equine business

Before venturing into equine business, it is expected that you have carried out a vast research on the pros and cons of this kind of entrepreneurship and are convinced that you have what it takes to make it tops. Learning, however never stops. you must keep yourself well informed at all times if only to ensure that you are not left behind by the spirit of time. It is also vital that you are well funded. Prior experience working at a ranch or a similar business is almost a must to ensure that you have the necessary skills. Incase you have not identified a premises yet, it is virtually important that you get the insight of a real estate or horse property professional as it must be ascertained that the property is zoned for horses
To the other very important item- your staff. This actually goes for any business. They are shareholders as they contribute with their time and energy to see your vision come to fruition. Ensure that you write a well detailed job description stating exactly what you are looking for. Ascertain that they are qualified and if possible ask them to prove their love for the subject; in this case horses.  It’s important that you get an all round staff just incase one is absent or overwhelmed. Once hired, give them due respect and never underestimate them because they are well capable of making or breaking your business. Treat them well and make them feel that their efforts and contributions are highly appreciated. It is also important not to entirely leave everything under your workers care. Your presence is vital if you don’t want to be treated to several surprises. It is also important to give things your touch. Again you’ve got to know your horses and they should know you too. Ensure that they are at the best of their health at all times as without them you are out of business.