Small riding school on a rented yard

Parents of children learning to ride, adult beginners and returning riders without a horse of their own.

Fees per lesson, block bookings, pony days and holiday courses. Income depends on filling lesson slots and keeping horses fit and well suited to the work.

• Riding and teaching ability, ideally with a recognised instructor qualification
• Patience with beginners and nervous riders
• Good horse management and welfare knowledge

• A riding establishment licence may be needed where you hire out horses or give instruction, check with your council
• Public liability and professional insurance for instruction, plus cover for the horses
• Rider and horse safety, including hard hats, supervision and suitable horses for beginners
• Safeguarding checks if you teach children
• Horse costs continue whether or not lessons are booked, including vet bills and winter feed
• Rules differ across the UK nations, so check locally

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your yard, horses and equipment. These are estimates only. Horse costs continue whether or not lessons are booked, including vet bills and winter feed.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on your number of lessons and horses. These are estimates only. Remember that running costs for the horses carry on in quiet periods.

A riding establishment licence may be needed where you hire out horses or give instruction, so check with your council. Also check insurance, safeguarding checks if you teach children, and local rules, which differ across the UK nations.