Pony party sessions at your own yard

Parents booking birthday parties and holiday activities, plus small groups such as Brownies, Beavers or home-education groups.

A set price per child or per party package, often with extras like pony grooming or a picnic area. You are not travelling, so costs per booking are lower.

• Experienced horse care and handling
• Confident with groups of children
• Friendly customer service
• Managing bookings and a safe site

• Licensing: charging for rides or lessons may need a council licence, so check before taking bookings
• Planning permission or change of use for visitors on agricultural or livery land, which is worth checking with your council
• Public liability insurance covering visitors and children on site
• Safeguarding, first aid and clear parent supervision rules
• Ongoing costs of ponies, livery, feed and vet bills during quiet winter months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the ponies, tack and yard facilities you already have and the insurance you need. Treat it as a rough guide.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £3,000, depending on how many parties and sessions you run and your prices. Ongoing costs such as ponies, livery, feed and vet bills continue through quieter winter months.

Check whether charging for rides or lessons needs a council licence before taking bookings, and whether visitors on agricultural or livery land need planning permission or change of use. Also check public liability cover, safeguarding, first aid and parent supervision rules.