As an equine professional, you have a lot going on. Think about it… caring for one horse (let alone an entire barn) is a large task. You have to balance their nutrition, keep their health in check, and exercise them regularly. On top of that, running a business is not for the faint of heart. You are balancing books, hiring and managing a team, creating new products, performing your services, marketing to potential new clients, and so much more.

So how are you supposed to keep track of it all? Enter task management software.

It’s a type of software that helps equine entrepreneurs get their businesses in order so they can focus on serving their clients better. These systems vary in their user experience, features, and pricing, but they are all focused on getting your team organized.

Task Software Options for Entrepreneurs

Trello

Trello is great for managing many moving parts on a team or for a team of one. This is what I use to keep track of my tasks within my equine photography business. Trello allows you to create multiple boards. Within each board, there are customizable columns that you can use as project pipeline stages or different departments within your business. Users create a card to represent a project. Within that card, you can add a checklist of tasks, add people, create due dates, and attach files. As projects progress, you move cards along so you always understand which stage each of your projects sits. 

Pricing: Trello is free for up to 10 boards and unlimited users. However, to gain access to an unlimited number of boards, as well as a calendar view, advanced checklists, you can upgrade to Business Class for $10 per user per month billed annually (or $12.50 billed monthly).

Check it out, here.

 

ClickUp

ClickUp is a great option for teams that are juggling multiple tasks at once. In ClickUp, your team has a space that houses folders. Within each folder, you create tasks that are assigned to specific team members. Inside each task, users can attach files, chat back and forth, and organize them into lists. List labels are completely customizable so you can use them as project pipeline stages or types of projects. ClickUp is great if you are passing files back and forth and need to keep track of feedback since you can revisit conversations at any stage in the project.

Pricing: ClickUp is free up to 100MB of storage with an unlimited number of tasks and members. To gain unlimited storage, a calendar view, integrations, and guest permissions, you can upgrade to their Unlimited plan for $5 per member per month billed annually (or $9 billed monthly).

Check it out, here.

 

Asana

Asana is another great option for teams of any size to collaborate and meet deadlines. If you like the capability of ClickUp, but want the pipeline view that Trello offers, Asana might be ideal for you. Users create boards that are broken down into vertical sections which can act as project pipeline stages or task types. You then create task cards that you can easily move around as the project progresses. Within each task, you can tag other users to chat about the project and keep track of deadlines and applicable files. Users can also create specific subtasks within each task card which is a great way to ensure your team is marching towards the completion of tasks.

Pricing: Asana’s Basic membership is free and includes an unlimited number of tasks, projects, and messages where you can collaborate with up to 15 team members. However, when you upgrade to their Premium membership which is $10.99 per user per month billed annually (or $13.49 billed monthly), you can add an unlimited number of guests and dashboards, custom fields, timelines, and more.

Check it out, here.

 

Task Manager Options for Equine Entrepreneurs Who Manage Herds

Barn Manager

If your business entails managing a herd of horses, Barn Manager might become your best friend. You can create appointments (riding lessons, vet appointments, etc.) within your calendar, store files digitally (Coggins tests, health certificates, pre-purchase exam radiographs, etc.), create and share lists (feed lists, packing lists, etc.), and a mobile app. Users can add an unlimited number of users with specific permissions per horse. This is a great way to provide exceptional care for the horses within your responsibility which will lead to even more trust from your clients.

Pricing: The Starter plan is available for $10 per month which includes an unlimited number of users and horses, contact management, and team conversations. To add calendar scheduling, vendor management, event reminders, and more, you can upgrade to their Essentials plan for $40/month.

Check it out, here.

 

Stable Secretary

Similar to Barn Manager, Stable Secretary is made especially for busy people who want to manage a herd of horses along with a team of employees. Within Stable Secretary, users can organize activities, records, and information, the ability to grant your team access to your herd from anywhere, and be notified of certain reminders. In addition to all these features, you can easily create invoices for your clients or vendors, keep track of payments, and access your finances at any time and customize for your herd’s specific needs.

Pricing: Pricing is offered in tiers based on the number of horses within your herd. Their Performance plan starts at $6 per month, the Professional plan begins at $6.95 per month, and their Essentials plan starts at $10 per month.

Check it out, here.

 

So does your horse business need task management software?

The answer is a very loud YES! These will keep your records organized, allow your team to always be on the same page, and ensure no tasks fall between the cracks. They are all budget-friendly and will allow you to spend less time on the nitty-gritty and more time serving your customers – whether you are an equine chiropractor, a custom bootmaker, or run a tack shop.

After all, that’s why you started your equine business, isn’t it?