Professional Organizer, Jacki Hollywood Brown, talks about how she got started with equestrian organizing  and what it’s like to specialize in this area.

I’ve been riding nearly 30 years now, mostly for pleasure, but I did do some competing in my younger days so it was natural for me to incorporate equestrian organizing into my business.

Actually, it was organizing the stables that got me into the professional organizing business in the first place. I saw someinefficiencies at the stable where I was taking riding lessons and I introduced a few low cost solutions to make everyone’s life easier — adding wheels to a heavy box full of winter blankets, adding a few baskets and labels here and there, etc. One day the owner said to me, “You’ve got such good ideas, too bad you couldn’t make a business out of this!” The very same day I saw a full-time professional organizer on an American talk show and I’ve never looked back.

Organizing an equestrian centre is similar to organizing other businesses. There is filing paperwork and tax remittance and because in some cases it can be treated as a farming operation, certain taxation benefits can be applied. It is advantageous to work with bookkeepers and accountants who are familiar with farming taxation regulations.

In addition to the normal “business” books, the stables should be keeping accurate and up-to-date horse health records. This information is extremely important for the veterinary care and may be of value in the sale of the horse. Because horses eat almost constantly (and, therefore, poop almost constantly) the bulk of the work around the stables involves feeding the horses and cleaning their stalls. Before systems are implemented to streamline processes, it is important to know the daily routine of the horses (Do they spend some or all of their time outside? Do they have special dietary requirements?).

The equipment present in the stables depends on the type of equestrian business. A breeding stable has different storage needs that a stable with carriage horses. Equipment made of leather (saddles) and fabric (blankets) must be kept clean and dry so it does not rot or get infested by bugs.  Safety is the first priority when organizing in the barn. Feed rooms must be easily accessible by people while keeping out the horses should they escape from their stalls (and they often do). Fire escape routes must be large and kept clear at all times.

Organizing a stable can be hard work – moving heavy bales of hay in the hot summer or rearranging a storage shed in the cold winter – but it is worth it just to spend more time with a beast as gentle and noble as the horse.

Equestrian Resources

• United States Equestrian Federation
• Canadian Equestrian Federation
• Canadian Pony Club
• United States Pony Club

About the Author

Jacki Hollywood Brown, is the owner of J-organize, a professional organizing company in Canada. She has been an avid equestrienne for the past 30 years. She keeps up-to-date on stable management by taking courses and learning about new equipment and technologies. She achieved by B level with the Canadian Pony Club in 1987 and is currently working through the Canadian Equestrian Federation Rider Level testing.