Guided trail rides from your own property

Tourists, locals looking for a weekend activity, families, school holiday groups and visitors staying at nearby accommodation.

Price per rider per ride, with extra for longer rides, private groups, lessons and add-ons like picnic or sunset rides. Bookings can be direct or through local tourism listings.

• Confident horse handling and riding
• Reading riders' ability and keeping groups safe
• Customer service and booking management
• Basic first aid

• Specialist public liability insurance for riding activities, and whether your cover includes guests of all abilities
• Council planning approval and any rules for commercial activity on rural land, which vary by area
• Permits if trails cross public land, national parks or private neighbours' land, check with the land manager
• Horse welfare laws and biosecurity in your state, including talking to a vet about issues like Hendra virus
• Work health and safety duties, helmets, rider waivers and a Working with Children Check if you take under-18s without parents
• Ongoing horse costs such as feed, farrier and vet bills even in quiet months or bad weather

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on how many horses and how much tack, facilities and insurance you need. These are estimates only, and horse costs such as feed, farrier and vet bills continue in quiet months.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your location, the number of rides you run and the season and weather. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and it usually needs around 25 hours a week.

Check specialist public liability insurance for riding, council planning approval for commercial activity on rural land, and permits if trails cross public or neighbouring land. Also check horse welfare and biosecurity rules, including Hendra virus advice from a vet, work health and safety duties, and Working with Children Checks.