Following on from the 'how naughty is your child's pony' thread

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bimbomb

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I am seriously considering setting up a schooling service for ponies up to 14hh as since my children have been in pony club I have seen so many ponies that are not schooled properly for the job. I would prefer the ponies to come to my yard so that I could really focus my efforts on them. Do people think this is a good idea? I would also offer a breaking service as well. I have a good track record of producing good all round ponies. How much should I charge for this service and how do I go about setting it up? Hoping to research the market over the winter and start in about march/April next year. Obviously would need insurance but what else do I new to consider. Thanks for getting this far! BB x

ETA I am in Devon
 
yes 100% absolutely!- I agree with you being able to focus on them at your yard but I found it SOOOO hard to find someone willing to come to me, I already have the overheads of my land and stable rent, have a decent flat schooling field and also wanted to be able to look after my pony's sweet itch. I'm happy to pay good money for schooling but did not see the point in more than doubling my costs as well as not having the day to day care of my pony
 
Thanks WelshD. That definitely food for thought. Perhaps I should offer a mobile service as well. Has anyone any ideas on what i should be charging? I don't want to sell myself short but on the other hand appreciate that people don't have money to throw away. BBx
 
Whilst I get the benefit of the pony being at your yard as you can work them as and when it fits best.. I would also likes yard that perhaps had the option for the child rider to come there pony for a few sessions before the pony ' bootcamp' is finished- that way I'd be happy to know the issues had been ironed out and it wasn't just a case if pony working well for more competent adult rider.

But I also get the poster above point about it being double cost as still be paying livery plus expenses whilst pony is at schooling.


Tho this is something I'm seriously considering doing with my pony- shame your soo far away - could of had your first client!!
 
Thank you Ellis for your reply. The more I look into it the more I think there is a gap in the market for this sort of service. Feeling quite excited about it! BB x
 
I think there is a gap in the market - perhaps I should get daughter to earn her pocket money lol! Seriously though, one very well known HOYS producer was sought after for her small stature to ride the 12hh ponies such as section As and famously dartmoors. She provided the option for the child to come and have a few lessons on their pony as it progressed.

As a rough guide schooling livery in our area is about £150/week but that is for horses and almost always stabled most of the time. Lessons, or where the trainer will school and ride at your own place, tend to range from £25 to £40 per hour.

The only thing I would caution is that you need to make sure you have full insurance cover, professional indemnity, accident and injury cover for yourself in case of being unable to work and liability cover.
 
This is a very good idea, and agree with the others that there is a prominent gap in the market. Completely out of interest, how tall are you OP?
 
FP, I am 5' and weigh 7.5 stone. I regularly ride ponies from 11hh up (although I don't ride the 11hander very often) BB x
 
I have found, as this is something I have toyed with over the years, that most people simply aren't prepared to pay for it, and often end up getting rid of the pony, or getting an older child to come and ride it for free!! They also often think a little pony should be cheaper to have ridden.
 
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