Running a riding school

Wildspirit

Wildspirit

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Just out of interest....
....Anyone here run a riding school?
I have a friend whos considering it, but how on earth do the managers cover their costs?! If they're charging like £15 an hour for riding and they're keeping 30 horses, how does that balance out? I'm guessing a good part of it must be working livery but still, anyone got any ideas? How will he even go about it?!
I don't think he's honestly thought it through, i mean theres insurance and all sorts, and how will he fund it?! And licensing surely, buying all the horses etc
It's easy to say its worth it- eduaction, sport, theraphy and tradition but is it really?
I dont know, its a crazy sort of dream, but how practical is it?

Any help appreciated
 
its incredibly hard I work at a RS and the insurance is soooo high, the overheads are high, the heath and safety rules are excessive. Our yard couldnt survive without liveries/working liveries and unfortunetly they have had to put prices up a lot
 
You don't charge £15 a lesson for a start - have a google search for current going rates for lessons, especially in the SE

You've got to be very lucky to be able to afford to do it properly, capital behind you also helps.

Things you've got to consider:

-cost of buying horses
-cost of buying tack & equipment - you name it, you'll need it at some point!
-installation and upkeep of arenas
-buying arena equipment like jumps
-security issues
-H&S issues
-Insurance - sky high premiums these days
-Local council liscensing - not just for the yard, but for EVERY horse you use
-Possible BHS/ABRS affiliation
-staff costs
-office staff costs
-water
-electricity - floodlights or lighting for an indoor school
-farrier
-vet
-advertising, cost of a website & the management of it
-bedding
-upkeep of any buildings, stables for example
-suitable storage facilties
-pasture management
-suitable fencing, if electric - more money on electricity bills

Can't think of any more at the mo
 
To put things into perspective

just over this winter our yard has spent over £650 on rugs! Then over £1500 on tack last year. Then new ponies (and to keep going you do have to keep reinvesting in ponies) they spent £12000 +!
 
Just edited Jess - my uber long list! Can you tell that I did a stint of working in the yard office too!
grin.gif
 
Don't forget the cost of maintaining your yard and arena and then you've got the expense of looking after your grazing - harrowing, rolling, fertiliser and all of the machinery to do it!
 
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