How to Start a Horse Blanket Wash & Repair Business

At some point in their lives, horses benefit from wearing a blanket. Cold weather, illness and old age are situations in which a warm blanket -- either in the barn or out in the pasture -- is a good idea. Over time, horse blankets become dirty, and often need minor repairs due to wear and tear. You could be the person in your local horse lovers' community to start a horse blanket wash and repair business.

Things You'll Need

  • Large-capacity washing machine
  • Large-capacity dryer
  • Clothesline
  • Soap
  • Sturdy sewing machine
  • Scissors
  • Thread
  • Pins
  • Old horse blankets
  • Fabric
  • Flyers
  • Business cards
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Instructions

    • 1

      Own or purchase large appliances. An extra large horse blanket is 83 to 85 inches from top (covering the animal's shoulders) to bottom (covering the animal's rear). Although this is smaller than a standard 88-inch square, queen-size comforter, horse blankets range in thickness from light fleece to heavy wool. Make sure you have a washing machine and dryer that can accommodate any size and thickness of horse blanket. You can also dry your clients' blankets on a sturdy clothesline in warm weather.

    • 2

      Check with a local uniform cleaning service or a hotel to see where they buy their laundry soap in bulk. Since those businesses rarely, if ever, clean large amounts of wool, you will need to buy wool soap in large quantities at a wholesaler such as Costco or Sam's Club.

    • 3

      Gather supplies for basic repairs, including a sewing machine that can stitch heavy wool blankets. Additionally, you will need basic sewing supplies, including scissors; pins and thread in a variety of shades to match the different colors of blankets; buckles; straps; and older horse blankets to be used as patches. You can find what you need for patching lighter fleece blankets at your local fabric store.

    • 4

      Advertise your business. Make up flyers and business cards and post them at local boarding farms, large-animal veterinary offices and farm supply stores. If there is a livestock or farm and ranch magazine that covers your area, take out an ad to run for several consecutive issues.

    • 5

      Go to local horse shows and rodeos and hand out your fliers and cards. Set up a booth in the vending area at the shows and repair a blanket or two while you sit. Once you have some satisfied clients, give them your business card to hand to friends who may need your services. Name your business and make sure it is listed in your local Yellow Pages.

    • 6

      Create a website for your horse blanket cleaning and repair business. Advertise your services on online classified sites. Join local horse-related e-mail lists and add a line about your business in your e-mail signature.

    • 7

      Be compliant with local ordinances. Check with your municipality to see what permits are needed and for the necessary tax identifications.