Guided trail ride outfit with your own horses

Tourists, families on vacation, birthday and friend groups, and locals who want a ride without owning a horse.

A price per rider for each ride, with extras like sunset rides, private rides, group bookings and lessons for beginners.

• Confident horse handling and horse care
• Reading riders' ability and keeping groups safe
• Customer service and booking management

• Commercial liability insurance made for horseback riding operators
• Many states have equine liability laws with required waiver or warning sign wording, check your state's rules
• Riding on public land, such as national forest or state parks, usually needs a special use permit, check with the land manager
• Horse costs continue in slow months: feed, vet, farrier and boarding
• Check local zoning, business license and sales tax rules, and workers' compensation once you hire guides

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on how many horses you buy, your tack, and whether you lease or own the barn and land. Ongoing horse costs continue in slow months.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of rides, group sizes, pricing and the season. The estimate assumes at least about 20 hours a week.

Check for commercial liability insurance made for horseback riding operators, your state's equine liability laws and required waiver or sign wording, and permits for riding on public land. Also check local zoning, business license, sales tax and workers' compensation rules.