Exercising horses as a side hustle?

[Nutmeg11]

So I’ll start out by saying I am in no way a trainer and would never bill myself as one, but as far as riding goes I’m fairly decent. I’m in twice-monthly lessons, ride on our local dressage show circuit (though I rode h/j and saddleseat way back in the day, so while I’m out of practice with those disciplines, I’m familiar with them), clinic about once or twice a year, and am constantly searching for ways to improve. I ride my close friend’s three horses for her (and in exchange I get to show/clinic with/trail ride them whenever I want), which led to some other people at my multi-disciplinary barn asking if I would be able to ride their horses to give them some exercise and introduce them to some really basic, intro-to-training-level dressage building blocks. Then a friend at another barn told me that her barnmate said something about her horse needing more regular work and said “hey, what about that one friend of yours who does those leases? Do you think she would be interested?” And now I’m wondering if I could actually turn this into a real thing.

Has anyone here ever had an actual side hustle or arm of your business devoted to exercising or tuning up clients’ horses? If so, what did you charge? (I’m in west Michigan, if that helps.) What kind of insurance did you have to carry, for yourself, the horse, your equipment, or other things? How much time did it take up (both riding and the more administrative side)? Is this realistic, or am I succumbing to wishful thinking?

[Bluey]

If it doesn’t exist, you can invent it, following a need you found dropped into your lap.

That is how a few trainers I know started.
They freelanced training and eventually leased stalls in an established barn.
They then started giving clinics and it snowballed from that where eventually they leased their own place.
They are now well respected trainers.

Since that is not a standard business model, you will have to find out what your market will bear and where your expenses will take you, so you can cover them and make a profit, hopefully.

Won’t know until you try it and why not?

How to go along, you already have good ideas, covering your insurance/liability, maybe have a local attorney used to the laws where you are prepare legal forms, liability releases and working contracts and such.

Others here may have more ideas, may even have tried that route themselves.

Good luck, whatever you do.

[MissAriel]

You would be well advised to have some insurance. Some properties will not allow off-site trainers without it. It would definitely be a good thing to have even if not required on some properties.

Keep in mind this will put you in the professional category, even if you only do it sporadically. Even if all you are doing is lunging the horse. Even your arrangement with your friend where you are riding her horse “in exchange” for showing and trail privileges could be construed as “in kind” payment, pushing you into “professional” designation.

[silver_charm]

I think it is also dependent on your location what the market will handle. I do this for free currently, mostly because I don’t want to lose my ammy status but also because there are a kajillion college students around looking for things to ride in m area (3 colleges within 30 minutes). I haven’t tested it, but based on the local facebook groups, I think asking for money for what I do would seriously limit the number of people interested. If you’re in an area where there aren’t as many talented and trustworthy options, it might be more feasible, especially for the actual training vs exercising part.

I believe I’m in a similar boat - lesson weekly, have ridden up to the 3’3"ish jumpers, brought along plenty of green beans and OTTBs but never thought of myself as trainer-level. I had a ton of interest, had to turn people down, as I offered to ride the small/green/sassy and ended up with 3 greener, sensitive and forward mares. Most people are ok with me using my saddle as long as it fits, but not all of them do. Otherwise I use all the owner’s tack and grooming equipment. It’s actually a huge time suck as none are at the same stable, so I can really only do one per week night after work. Weekends are easier but that’s when most people can make it out themselves. I’m only really able to do it while my husband is deployed, once he’s back I’m going to have to reduce it or I’ll never see him. But while he’s gone I’m going to make the most of it!

[Scribbler]

I suspect this is something that will travel by word of mouth, but being a free service is key. Otherwise, they would be paying for training rides by their trainer.

[candyappy]

You could pick up some extra cash on the side but just doing “tune up” type riding on a few horses a day or 2 a week isn’t going to pay the bills. Add in you traveling to various places to do it and needing insurance and the extra income shrinks.

It is a good way to build your skills though.

[Highflyer]

When I did it several years ago I charged $25/ horse for one hour (which included bringing horse in, basic grooming, tacking up, riding, cooling out, and turning horse back out.) Basically 30-40 minutes of riding unless you were there to take care of the ground stuff.

[chantal]

@MissAriel

You would be well advised to have some insurance. Some properties will not allow off-site trainers without it. It would definitely be a good thing to have even if not required on some properties.

Keep in mind this will put you in the professional category, even if you only do it sporadically. Even if all you are doing is lunging the horse. Even your arrangement with your friend where you are riding her horse “in exchange” for showing and trail privileges could be construed as “in kind” payment, pushing you into “professional” designation.

This.

[Wonders12]

I did this through college, both temporarily (when people were away) and permanently (polo ponies were the best college gig). I think a lot depends on how much local trainers cost. Around here, a training ride can be $35-$55, so I would happily pay $15-25 for someone to exercise my horse, especially when I’m out of town.

However, after travel, tack up, riding, untackkng, graining, and travel “home”, I’m not sure $15-25 would be worth your time. If you’re already at the barn, it would be better.

When I was doing it, I generally made $20-25 a ride, but the barns were within 10 minutes of campus and I would “work” at any time, which was a huge advantage to my crazy schedule. Now, there is no way I would work 1-2 hours including travel for that price.

[Wonders12]

Adding: I did it without insurance because I was young and dumb (and honestly didn’t have anything to lose if someone came after me). Now, I would definitely consider insurance, and I would definitely get it if I was planning to grow it into a business of more than 1-3 owners.

[Ajierene]

I trained horses when I was in college but since I didn’t have a name for myself and most of what I was doing was tune up, and starting some horses, I charged $20/hour. After college, I upped it to $30/hour and was thinking of becoming a trainer for a living. When I decided it would always just be a part time gig, I stopped raising the rates. I would lower the charge for multiple horses. So, usually $30 for the first horse and $20 for each additional horse at the farm (same owner), or if I knew I was coming for more than one horse each day I went, $20/horse. Per horse was per ride - not all horses went for an hour. At some places I tacked up myself but where I did not tack up myself I traded that time with chatting with the owners, so all in all I spent 30 min to 1 hr for one horse.

I never carried insurance and it was all under the table, but I didn’t make a ton of money.

It is feasible and I would chare no more than half of what trainers charge in your area. If you can arrange it so you are going out there at your convenience it isn’t a bad gig.

Technically, you do lose your ammy status, if that’s important to you.

[xeroxchick]

I know lots of foxhunters who need riders to help get their horses fit. They work in the city and board, and with short days just can’t get out to put the distance or sets on their horses. We pay 25$ a ride three times a week for my husbands horse. You need to be able to go out by yourself and do trot sets and some breezing. It is really needed and when someone is reliable the word gets around.

[Dutchmare433]

I used to do this quite a bit…a lot for fox hunters, but for some dressage people also. With the fox hunters, it varies based on the season, lots of boring work in early spring getting them fit–lots of walking, then lots of trot sets. One client with 6 or so horses just paid my by the hour. I do it less often now, mostly tune up or training rides for people I give lessons to. I usually charge $30 a ride if I have to tack it up/cool it out. $20 a ride if it’s handed to me ready to go.

I’m basically at the point where I have my own very nice horses to ride so I don’t have the desire to catch ride anyone’s crazies anymore (I did a good bit of this before I started getting paid to ride).

[Malda]

@Wonders12

I did this through college, both temporarily (when people were away) and permanently (polo ponies were the best college gig). I think a lot depends on how much local trainers cost. Around here, a training ride can be $35-$55, so I would happily pay $15-25 for someone to exercise my horse, especially when I’m out of town.

I’ll second the polo ponies, if they play in your area. They’ll hire anyone who knows a bit about riding and isn’t nervous. I did it after college because I couldn’t afford a horse. No training was involved, I just exercised three after work (ride one and pony the other two). They were a lot of fun to ride.

[lifeishorsesarelove]

My area won’t support this. We have a million univeristy students looking for free rides, or willing to pay a half lease to essentially train someone else’s horse for them.

I think its very location dependent. In my area a more worthwhile side hustle is doing chores on small hobby farms. Smaller farms can’t offer full time hours and have a hard time finding help that isn’t high schoolers (who can’t do mornings). I’ve quit grooming professionally and have a desk job now - I work afternoons and I am able to cover morning chores and feeding for a couple clients instead. I take farms within a small area so I don’t waste time and gas driving. Obviously this only works because I have a schedule that allows it, but its another thing to consider if you have the option.

[Palm_Beach]

I agree that the demand might shrink if the OP charges a fee instead of doing it for free. Yes, get liability insurance and also disability insurance to cover loss of income from regular job in case of injury.

[kiwichick]

I used to do it heaps, young and dumb as someone else posted.
i rode for a living and adding a few extras was no drama.
What i learnt however was that my idea of ‘broken in’ and others varied considerably, also if the horse has any nasty habits, its your fault, and people arent necessarily honest about why they are paying a rider.
$20 a ride is great on a well mannered horse that the rider isnt confident on, but on a horse thats put 3 people in hospital - not so much.

Def get insurance that covers you, your standard job is likely to take a dim view of you unable to work getting hurt on your side hustle.

[WildLittleWren]

Make sure you have health insurance! Disability insurance is definitely wise as well. I used to work a large variety of horses, for $25/hr. However, now I will not work with horses that are not sane. I can’t afford to get hurt, and hospital copays are high! I do still exercise a handful of horses but I know them well, they are sane and straight forward rides, so I have a lower chance of getting injured. It does help me offset some of the costs of my mare, and it helps my friends out when they can’t consistently keep their horses ridden. An added bonus is I don’t need to pay for a gym membership, it keeps me pretty fit!