Guided trail rides from your own small stable

Tourists, families, groups of friends, birthday parties, and locals who want to ride but don't own a horse.

A price per rider for each ride, with extras such as private rides, group bookings, pony rides for children and seasonal events.

• Confident, experienced horse handling
• Reading riders' ability and keeping groups safe
• Customer service and clear communication
• Basic bookkeeping and scheduling

• Commercial general liability insurance that specifically covers horse riding, and a signed waiver for every rider (check how your province treats waivers)
• Zoning, land-use and trail access rules, including permits if you use Crown or park land (check with your municipality and province)
• Animal welfare, vet, farrier and feed costs continue all year, even when winter slows bookings
• Rider injuries are a real risk, so match horses and routes to rider ability and consider first aid training
• Check with your provincial or municipal authorities whether any licence or inspection applies to your operation

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your horses, land, barn, tack and insurance. Animal welfare, vet, farrier and feed costs continue all year, even when winter slows bookings.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of horses, rides offered and the season. The estimate is at least about 25 hours a week, and winter can slow bookings.

Check commercial general liability insurance that specifically covers horse riding, signed waivers (and how your province treats them), zoning, land-use and trail access rules including permits for Crown or park land, and any provincial or municipal licence or inspection.