Travelling riding instructor

Adult riders, parents of young riders and barn owners who want lessons for their boarders without running a programme themselves.

Fee per private or small-group lesson, often sold as a block of lessons. Some instructors also run clinics or a summer day camp at a partner barn.

• Confident, safe riding and horse handling
• Patient teaching for different ages and levels
• Reading horses and riders to keep lessons safe

• Commercial general liability insurance that covers riding instruction, and check what the barn's own policy covers
• Signed waivers; check your province's rules, as some have equine liability or helmet laws
• Winter: without an indoor arena, lessons may stop or shift for several months
• Coaching certification may not be legally required, but insurers and clients often expect it; check with your insurer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your insurance, safety gear, teaching equipment and any coaching courses. You bring the teaching, not the horses or the land.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many lessons you teach and your rates. Without an indoor arena, lessons may stop or shift for several months in winter.

Check for commercial general liability insurance that covers riding instruction, and what the barn's own policy covers. Also check signed waivers and your province's equine liability or helmet rules. Coaching certification may not be required legally, but insurers and clients often expect it.