Erray
Well-Known Member
Hi I'm thinking of changing my trek times and prices. Currently I do 1 or 2 hour treks and 20 minute pony rides, I have no set times and book people in for a time to suit them. This has worked reasonably well so far especially as beach rides fit around the tides and can also plan around weather and other peoples plans. Sometimes it gets abit chaotic though and I can end up taking out 4 treks a day with 2 people on each trek who could have all joined on 1. The other reason is alot of novices want to go on 2 hour treks which is not easy as we have to go on the beach which can be difficult with novices mainly because all the ponies want to do is eat seaweed. Also my best trek for novices takes longer than an hour when just walking and we usually end up running over time.
Therefore I am thinking of making all treks 1 1/2 hours having one in the morning at 10am and 1 at 2pm with 1/2 hour treks in between for young children or anyone just wanting a taster.
One ride a day will be a beach ride and one will be a monument ride (though obviously don't have to stick to this), I will try to keep the beach ride for experienced and the monument for novices though if end up with mixed groups then the group can split with 2 leaders so some get to go for a canter (we do this quite often anyway so it could work)
Last year I charged £15 p/h, £28 for 2 and £5 for pony ride and charged £40 for a family of 4. Have put prices up this year to £18, £30 and £6 and had no complaints so far, over easter most people booked a 2 hr ride.
Am thinking of charging £25 each or £85 family of 4 for 11/2 hr trek and £10 for 1/2 hour.
Most people who come here are familys and complete novices or children that have riding lessons at home (they are not a problem as parents used to high prices and children desperate to ride so it is the novice families I am trying to target.
Do you think I should leave it as it is or change to 1 1/2 hr treks? or do you think it is too much money and I will lose out on the novice families?
I hope this all makes sense, it does in my head but that doesn't mean anything .
Been thinking about it for a while but its a big gamble if it doesn't work out.
Therefore I am thinking of making all treks 1 1/2 hours having one in the morning at 10am and 1 at 2pm with 1/2 hour treks in between for young children or anyone just wanting a taster.
One ride a day will be a beach ride and one will be a monument ride (though obviously don't have to stick to this), I will try to keep the beach ride for experienced and the monument for novices though if end up with mixed groups then the group can split with 2 leaders so some get to go for a canter (we do this quite often anyway so it could work)
Last year I charged £15 p/h, £28 for 2 and £5 for pony ride and charged £40 for a family of 4. Have put prices up this year to £18, £30 and £6 and had no complaints so far, over easter most people booked a 2 hr ride.
Am thinking of charging £25 each or £85 family of 4 for 11/2 hr trek and £10 for 1/2 hour.
Most people who come here are familys and complete novices or children that have riding lessons at home (they are not a problem as parents used to high prices and children desperate to ride so it is the novice families I am trying to target.
Do you think I should leave it as it is or change to 1 1/2 hr treks? or do you think it is too much money and I will lose out on the novice families?
I hope this all makes sense, it does in my head but that doesn't mean anything .
Been thinking about it for a while but its a big gamble if it doesn't work out.
