Black Star Ranch finds a unique niche

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Mary Guidry
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What began as a simple hobby soon morphed into a thriving business for Kris Suard, co-owner and operator of The Black Star Ranch.

Black Star Ranch is a facility very unique to Houma, according to Business Manager Kim McClung. “There is nothing like this in the area,” she said.


McClung attributes much of the ranch’s success to the novelty of Suard’s idea. “She [Suard] had always wanted to know how to barrel race and there was nothing in the area for that type of training,” McClung said. “So Kris decided to get some horses and create a place for that type of training herself.”


According to McClung, Saurd spent two years traveling the U.S. investigating the horse business. She spent a lot of time focusing on what worked and what didn’t for particular ranches and why, she said.

Since opening the ranch in June 2005, services offered have evolved to meet demands from clients and the public alike. The ranch opened with 50 initial stalls. Now the company is constructing new stalls on the property to keep up with demands, the operators said.


Black Star Ranch offers a number of different services including full boarding for horses. Full boarding includes the animal’s veterinary needs, food, bathing and exercise, McClung said. The staff will even ride and/or train the animal upon the owners’ request.


Black Starr Ranch also offers lessons in general riding for kids and adults of all skill level. With these lessons clients are given private lessons with a specially trained equestrian and Black Star will provide the horse.

If you’re looking to buy a horse, McClung said they can help there too. The ranch specializes in buying and selling many different breeds of horses.


McClung feels that these services are great for anyone interested in horses. “Riding horses, and being properly trained to do so, is an excellent hobby for children and it’s a great form of stress relief for adults,” McClung explained.


Over 20 miles of riding trails are located on the 250-acre property. McClung said the trails can be toured alone or with a guide. Because of insurance liability, riders are required to provide their own horse for the trails.

Black Star Ranch has also begun throwing children’s birthday parties. McClung said each child in the party would get their own horse for the day, be taught to saddle it and then ride it around the arena. There is a six-child maximum but the ranch will take care of everything from cupcakes to the entertainment, according to McClung. Black Star will also give the birthday boy or girl a special gift on behalf of the ranch.


“They have all turned out great so far n everyone has been more than pleased,” McClung said about the recent birthday parties thrown at the ranch.


She advises parents to call at least a week in advance so the ranch can prepare for the party.

The next step for Black Star is to expand the type of events entertained on the property.

“We want to expand our events list to include weddings and even corporate events as well,” McClung said. “It would be nice for people to get out of the office for a day for a picnic or a meeting that wasn’t in a stuffy, sterile office building.”

McClung feels the Ranch’s long-term goals have already been spelled out for them.

“Eventually we are going to become a multi-purpose equestrian training and event center,” McClung said. “Once we get to that point we want to branch out into other facets such as English riding and breeding programs.”

Suard co-owns Black Starr Ranch along with husband Neil Suard as they do their other four-area businesses.

The Black Star Ranch is located at 1361 Bayou Blue Road in Houma. For more information about boarding or other services provided McClung recommends visiting their Web site at www.theblackstarranch.com or calling (985) 580-2106.

Owners: Kris and Neil Suard

Address: 1361 Bayou Blue Rd. Houma, LA. 70364

Phone Number: (985) 580-2106

Email: kim@theblackstarranch.com

Staff: 20 employees

Facility: 250 acres, one main barn, one arena, five pastures and 20 miles of riding trails

Black Star Ranch finds a unique niche