Trail riding and lesson ranch

Tourists, families, school and camp groups, corporate or birthday groups, and local riders booking lessons or short sessions.

Fees per rider for trail rides and lessons, group and event packages, and seasonal extras like sleigh or winter rides where local conditions allow.

• Experienced horse care and riding instruction
• Managing staff and seasonal guides
• Marketing to tourists and booking partners
• Budgeting through a seasonal cycle

• Commercial general liability and equine-specific insurance, plus property cover for barn and tack
• Workers' compensation coverage (WCB/WSIB) once you hire guides, with rules differing by province
• Zoning, agricultural land use, environmental and manure management rules, so check with your municipality and province
• Heavy seasonality: feed, vet and farrier costs continue through winter
• Staff and guide training, since accidents and injuries are the main risk
• Horse welfare standards and limits on daily workload

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on whether you own or lease the land, the size of your herd and your barn and tack. Treat this as an estimate and plan for year-round feed and vet costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your herd size, the season and the mix of rides, lessons and group bookings. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and costs continue through winter.

Check commercial general liability and equine-specific insurance, plus property cover for your barn and tack. Also check WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire guides, zoning, agricultural land use, environmental and manure management rules with your municipality and province, and horse welfare standards.