Small ranch stay with riding and farm life

City families, couples and small groups looking for a rural weekend or week-long break, plus visitors from abroad exploring the countryside.

A nightly or weekly rate per guest or room that includes meals and activities, with extras such as private rides, lessons or special events.

• Safe horse handling and riding
• Friendly hosting and cooking
• Organizing bookings and daily activities

• Commercial general liability insurance that specifically covers horseback riding and guests on a working farm
• Municipal zoning, building and fire rules for guest rooms, and septic or water approvals; check with your municipality
• Public health unit permit if you serve meals, and a liquor licence if you plan to serve alcohol
• Rules on accommodation operators and taxes differ by province, so check your provincial regulator
• Horse care and vet costs continue all year, while income is seasonal and winter can be quiet
• Use signed waivers and trained, calm horses, and check how your province treats waivers

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $12,000 to $60,000, depending on your existing property, guest rooms or cabin, and horses. Ongoing horse care and vet costs continue all year, even when guests are few.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on how many rooms you offer and how often they are booked. Income is seasonal and winter can be quiet, so plan around that.

Check insurance that specifically covers horseback riding and guests, plus municipal zoning, building and fire rules, and septic or water approvals. Also look at public health permits for meals, liquor licences, provincial accommodation rules and taxes, and waivers.