Horse Business Management: Managing a Successful Yard, 4th Edition

Preface x

Dedication xi

Section 1: Setting the Right Course 1

1 A Successful Horse Business 3

Introduction – The Ingredients of Success 3

Defining Success 3

Safety and Legality 5

Equine Standards 5

Vision and Leadership 5

Entrepreneurial Flair 6

Human Resources 6

Marketing 7

Common Characteristics and Trends of Horse Businesses 7

The Business Environment 9

Challenges of a Horse Business 10

2 The Customer in the Market Place 11

Introduction 11

What do We mean by Market? 11

Stakeholders in the Business 12

Customer Care 18

3 Quality 22

Introduction to Quality 22

So what is Quality? 23

The Management of Quality 24

End of Section 1 – Setting the Right Course 30

Section 2: Staying On Course 31

4 Health and Safety 33

Introduction 33

Accidents and Blame 34

Developing a Health and Safety Culture 35

Health and Safety Management 39

5 Legality and Insurance 49

Introduction 49

The Law of Contract 50

Express Warranties and Conditions 53

Misrepresentation 53

Contracts of Employment 54

The Law of Tort 56

Insurance 66

6 Finance and Profit 70

Introduction 70

Raising Money 70

Taxation 72

Performance Management 75

Financial Risk Management 83

7 Marketing and Mission 84

Introduction 84

Market Research 84

Mission Statement 87

Marketing Strategies 88

8 Context and Content 100

Introduction 100

The British Horse Industry 100

Training, Education and Careers 106

End of Section 2 – Staying on Course 108

Section 3: Delivering Results 109

9 Yard and Enterprise Management 111

Introduction 111

Premises Considerations 111

Routines 128

Daily Duties 131

Labour-saving Devices 134

Enterprises 135

Grassland Management 149

10 Staff and Office Management 155

Introduction 155

Recruitment 155

Job and Person Specifi cations 156

Interviewing 157

Employment and Employing Staff 159

Motivation 160

Communication 162

Management Style 163

Remuneration and Benefits 164

Staff Training 165

Organisation 170

Office Routines 171

Equipment 172

Records 175

11 Managing Shows and Events 178

Introduction 178

The Nature of Shows and Events 179

The Principles of Running a Good Show 182

Looking Back 194

12 The Eye of the Master 202

Looking Back 202

Looking Around 202

Looking Forward 203

Looking Diligently 204

End of Section 3 – Delivering Results 205

Appendices 207

Appendix 1 Facts, Figures and Organisations 209

Overview of Organisations within the British Horse Industry 209

Useful Facts about the British Horse Industry 222

Useful Figures about the British Horse Industry 226

Appendix 2 Guidance on Promoting Safe Working Conditions 229

General Advice for all Horse Establishments 229

Additional Specific Guidance for Horse Riding Establishments 239

Additional Specific Guidance for Studs and Horse Breeding Establishments 243

Additional Specific Guidance for Racehorse Training Establishments 245

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 246

Risk Assessment 247

Appendix 3 Career Training for Work in the Horse Industry 250

Introduction 250

Career Preparation 251

College qualifications 252

NVQs, Traineeships and Apprenticeships 252

BHS Professional Qualifications 253

Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and

National Pony Society (NPS) 253

United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) 254

Other Professional and Technical Qualifications 256

Portfolios and CVs 256

Appendix 4 National Vocational Qualifications (Including Teaching Level 3 Management and Supervisory Skills) 257

Introduction to Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs) 257

NVQ Level 1 258

NVQ Level 2 258

NVQ Level 3 259

NVQ Level 4 260

NVQ Structure within each Level 260

NVQ Methods of Assessment 261

NVQ Level 3 – Management and Supervisory Units 261

Index 271