HORSESITTING A BIG BUSINESS

When Tina McMahon reports for a sitter's job, it may be for one horse or a dozen. Or more.

McMahon recently reported for "horse-sitting" duty at a ranch where she cared for 19 horses.

"It doesn't matter," said McMahon, who calls herself "The Horse Sitter.' "I'll care for one, or many."

McMahon, of rural Cape Girardeau, started her horse-sitting business recently.

"The animals will remain in their environment," said McMahon. "All the sights, smell and sound will be familiar to the horses, and their normal daily routine will be maintained."

McMahon will feed the animals' customary diet.

"We'll feed, water and exercise the animals," she said. "They will receive the love and personal attention they are used to."

McMahon is familiar with horses. She has three of her own.

"I have been around horses all my life," said McMahon, who admits she "could probably ride horses before she could walk."

At one time, McMahon operated a pet-sitting service, for all animals -- dogs, cats, cows, horses.

"I like horses, so eventually I narrowed my sitting to horses."

McMahon has already built up a client list.

"A lot of people have horses," she said. "Now they can go on out of town, knowing their animals will be cared for."

With the increase in horse ownership in the nation, horse-sitting is becoming big business.

A number of horse sitters, throughout the nation, have their services listed on the Internet.

McMahon can be reached by phone at (573) 651-3895 or by e-mail at nocona@prodigy.net.