Freelance riding instructor

Parents of children learning to ride, adult beginners and returning riders, and horse owners who want help with their own horse.

A fee per lesson, paid per session or as a term block. Add arena hire costs into your price, and offer small group lessons to raise income per hour.

• Solid riding and horse handling experience
• Patient, clear teaching
• Safety awareness around horses and children

• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance that specifically covers riding instruction
• Injury risk: use signed waivers and require approved helmets and suitable boots
• Check your state's rules for working with children and any property owner agreements
• Lesson income is weather and season dependent, so plan for wet weeks

Estimated startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your insurance, equipment and how you arrange arena or horse access. Treat this as an estimate and get insurance quotes early.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $4,000, depending on how many students you teach and how many hours you work. Plan on at least about 6 hours a week, and allow for wet weeks and seasonal changes.

Check public liability and professional indemnity insurance that specifically covers riding instruction. Consider signed waivers and approved helmets and suitable boots. Also check your state's rules for working with children and any property owner agreements.