Horse grass livery with basic care

Leisure riders, owners of retired horses or ponies, and families who can't afford or don't want full livery yard fees.

A weekly or monthly fee per horse. You can add extras such as feeding in winter, bringing horses in, rugging or hay.

• Confident around horses
• Basic land and fence maintenance
• Reliable daily routine
• Clear communication with owners

• Planning permission or change of use for land that is currently agricultural, check with your local council
• Public liability insurance and cover for horses on your land, ask an equine insurer
• Whether renting land to others could create a tenancy, use a written licence and get legal advice
• Overgrazing and poor pasture in wet winters, which can harm horses and land
• Ragwort and other poisonous plants, plus your duty of care for horse welfare
• If you rent the land yourself, check your landlord allows you to sub-let grazing

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on the state of your land, fencing, water supply and insurance. These are estimates, so check what your paddocks need before taking on horses.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £2,500, depending on how many horses you can graze and what you charge. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week for daily checks and upkeep.

Check with your local council whether planning permission or change of use applies to agricultural land. Check insurance with an equine insurer, whether a letting could create a tenancy, and whether your landlord allows sub-letting if you rent the land.