Mobile pony rides for parties and fetes

Parents hosting parties, fete and fair organisers, schools, parish councils and local businesses running family days.

A fixed fee per event or per hour, or a price per ride at busy fetes. Weekends and summer are busiest, and travel costs are usually built into your price.

• Confident, experienced horse handling
• Calm manner with children and parents
• Towing and safe animal transport
• Organising bookings and event logistics

• Licensing: hiring out horses for riding can fall under animal activity or riding establishment rules, which differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check with your council
• Public liability insurance that specifically covers pony rides, plus cover for the animal
• Child safety: correctly fitted hard hats, weight limits, trained handlers and a written risk assessment
• Animal welfare: limit working hours, provide rest, water and shade, and know the rules for transporting horses
• Towing: check whether your driving licence allows the trailer or horsebox you plan to use

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on how many ponies you keep, the trailer or horsebox you need and your insurance. It is a rough guide only.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how many events you book and what you charge per session. This is revenue before costs such as feed, vet bills, insurance and travel.

Check whether hiring out horses for riding falls under animal activity or riding establishment licensing with your council, as rules differ across the UK nations. Also check pony-ride insurance, hard hats, weight limits, a written risk assessment, welfare and transport rules, and your towing licence.