How do I sell a riding school or equestrian centre?

A buyer of a riding school or equestrian centre is looking at horses, people, land and a name that families know. Clear answers on each make the sale smoother. Start preparing well before you tell anyone, because the barn will be seen at its working best only if the paperwork and the property are in order.

What is included

List every horse, saddle, piece of tack, trailer, arena fixture and vehicle, and mark which belong to the business and which belong to boarders, instructors or students. School horses are often central to a lesson program, so decide whether they go with the sale. Land and buildings may be sold with the business or leased, and your lawyer should help you set that out clearly.

People and records

Buyers will ask who teaches, who trains and who looks after the horses. If the program depends on you or on one coach, show how it could carry on. Collect your lesson, boarder and camp records, the written agreements and the insurance history. Clear records make it easier for a buyer to work through the sale.

The property and the horses’ routines

Fix small repairs, tidy the barn and arena, and gather maintenance receipts for roofs, fencing and footing. A buyer who sees a well-kept barn can ask better questions and worry less. Write down feeding, turnout and care routines so a new owner can keep horses calm through the change.

Telling boarders and students

Plan the timing with your lawyer and any buyer, usually after a confidentiality agreement is signed. When you do tell people, explain who will run the barn and what stays the same. Similar preparation is described in how to sell a music store, which also depends on clients and staff staying.