Ideas for equestrian-related business/career..!

tobiano1984

tobiano1984

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I'm having a bit of an early-life crisis and trying to rethink my work life, and wondered if any HHOers would like to make some suggestions on what I could do :-)

I've been self employed as a PR consultant for the last 4 years, currently in the South East, having worked in London before that in PR. I have a BSc degree in Equine Business Management & Science, and also currently run my own small yard.

I recently expanded from luxury consumer PR to start doing some equestrian PR work, which I love but finding enough clients to make a living from is tricky given that it's such a niche, and not living in London anymore makes my previous area of expertise tricky to do, plus couldn't stand the people involved with it - much prefer the horsey/rural crowd.

I also sell a couple of horses a year, either dressage cobs or retrained TBs, because I love it and it's a nice little bonus (when it goes well), and my handful of DIY liveries cover my costs - I did think about going for it properly, but after having an accident in January I don't really want to rely on this for my living. Still haven't ruled it out, but OH thinks it's a daft idea and I'm not sure I can even convince myself otherwise!

So - now I'm looking at ideas of what I can do - I'd like to do something equestrian-related, remain self-employed and be able to run it around my horses! Not asking for much hey?? I have a bit of cash available to start something up (talking thousands not 10s of thousands) should it be required but my mind has gone blank when it comes to ideas! I thought about training as something horse-related but don't want to do anything wafty and can't really afford to dedicate years of not earning to something like osteopathy or similar.

My current work just about covers my rent and bills, so can hold the fort for the moment but having had a rather life-altering start to the year (I'm not paralysed or anything, just makes you re-evaluate life when you nearly lose it - I was hit by a van that killed my horse and broke rather a lot of me, and upset my work life a bit)

Anyway - sorry for offloading on you! But if anyone would like to brainstorm with me it would be much appreciated as I'm currently sitting at home staring at magazines and my laptop WILLING a bright idea to come to me!!
 
freelance instructor? maybe combined with personal training / nutrition advice for people. the latter can be done quite quickly with courses.
 
Agency for grooms - a number for people to ring when they are stuck for someone to do their horse that day - you co-ordinate freelance grooms and take a cut?. There must be a market for this
 
Could you use your yard as a small riding school? There is a serious lack of small, friendly, QUALITY focused riding schools. Alongside teaching horse owners I run a coaching programme for non-owners and many of my clients travel for my lessons because they are fed up with low quality tuition they get. I find them horses to share or loan as well as hiring them from large equestrian centre. The riders have regular lessons on those horses - I always have to do a lot of leg work to find the right ponies and horses for them.
I don't know where you are now as a location would be the key here but think if you put emphasis on thorough education (seat/horsemanship) with your PR experience you could create a valuable and potentially financially rewarding little business.
:)
 
blitznbobs said:
Agency for grooms - a number for people to ring when they are stuck for someone to do their horse that day - you co-ordinate freelance grooms and take a cut?. There must be a market for this
Click to expand...

Agree with this, having recently moved to our own yard in a different area. We don't have as many local people to look after our 3 horses if we go away (very rare!). It would be nice to be able to have a service like this, as long as the grooms were capable/experienced and reliable, in case of emergency's/illness/holidays. Maybe you could extend it to house/yard sitting services??
 
Creating something would be your best bet - the more original the better! Sorry I'm not much help, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and the loss of your horse. :( x
 
I was talking about this idea that had come to me after an idiot in his car on a hack with my sister went to over take us, saw another car coming and pulled in close behind the Tb then pulled out and inchwd past so close that if she had moved her sturrip and inch she would have scraped his car.

My idea was that getting to the youngsters before they get to the arrogent boy racer stage about the dangers of not only horses but also runners, cyclists on the road.

You could do demos and lessons to your local schools and as you speak from experience it adds weight. Something to maybe speak to local driving instructors about adding in lessons with real live horses?

Hope some of that made sense, brain is telling me its time for bed.
 
spotty_pony said:
Creating something would be your best bet - the more original the better! Sorry I'm not much help, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and the loss of your horse. :( x
Click to expand...

Thank you - it was horrible. And yes would love to create something, just not sure what..!x
 
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