Gail clears big obstacles to set up own business

Dec 8 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A KEEN horsewoman whose dreams of a competitive career were wrecked by a bad fall has started her own equine-related business.

Gail Johnson, who started riding at the age of 10, suffered a fractured neck and badly dislocated shoulder when she fell from her horse at the age of 23.

Now 34, Middlesbrough-based Ms Johnson said: “I spent 10 years receiving physiotherapy treatment as a result of the fall and at the time all the muscles in my left arm wasted away.

“Although the accident prevented me from competing, nothing could stop me riding again and it was always my dream to have a career involved with horses.”

She has now started a bitting service, so horse owners can try different bits in their animals’ mouths to see whether they are suitable before buying.

Ms Johnson started Horsebithire. com after working with horse bit manufacturer Neue Schule, which is now one of her suppliers.

She said: “If bought from a shop, once the bit has been used it can’t be returned and ends up being discarded.

“One of the key points of my business is that bits can be returned after a trial if they’re not suitable and I will also come out to assess horses and advise on the correct products for them.” She attended a series of 10 free Business Link workshops, which included business ideas, finance, legal requirements and website design, before launching her enterprise.

The course helped her to obtain funding from the North East England Investment Centre to set up her website.

“Apart from giving me a huge amount of information and advice, the events also provided me with lots of valuable contacts to help develop my business idea,” she said.

But Ms Johnson, who owns three horses and is training one to be a competitive showjumper, admits starting her business hasn’t all been plain sailing.

She said: “Starting your own business can mean sacrifices too, and the effects should always be considered.

“Sometimes this can be in time, finances or lifestyle and in my case the process of setting up the company while caring for my horses led to me separating from my partner of 10 years.

“It was a shock and the biggest hurdle of all to overcome, but sometimes you need to do what is right for you.”