Paddock hire for riders with their own horses

Local recreational riders, pony club families, and people who keep horses at home without a riding area.

A casual fee per horse per session or per day, plus optional books of sessions for regular riders. Extras like hiring jumps or poles can add a little.

• Comfortable around horses and riders
• Basic fencing and ground upkeep
• Friendly booking and communication

• Council planning or land-use rules for commercial use of rural land, check with your local council
• Public liability insurance that covers hiring land to riders, and a signed waiver for every visitor
• Horse health and biosecurity, including Hendra virus guidance from your state's agriculture department
• Bushfire, flood and heat conditions that may mean closing the paddock on some days
• Neighbour concerns about traffic, horse floats and dust

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your fencing, any jumps or markers, signage and insurance. Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on how often you open and your pricing.

Things to check include council planning or land-use rules for commercial use of rural land, and public liability insurance that covers hiring land to riders, with a signed waiver for every visitor. Check Hendra virus guidance with your state's agriculture department too.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on your location, pricing and how many riders book. The minimum time estimate is around 4 hours a week, so it can suit land you already own.