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Riding Centre
Pages In This Document
General
This is despite only 4% of the population who actually ride (and many of them are only occasional riders).
There are approximately 900,000 horses and ponies in the UK with over 2 million riders (about a third are under 15). Riding lessons worth over £500 million. For more equestrian statistics please see the British Horse Society leaflet on equine statistics here).
There are over 3,000 riding schools or trekking centres in the UK. Riding centres offer a variety of services to the horse-riding public, mainly centred round a covered riding arena.
These will include full exercise livery, group riding lessons, private individual riding lessons, horse shows and hiring out the arena for individual/group use. Success will generally depend on the knowledge and skills of the operator, who should ideally be an acknowledged expert in his/her field, able to attract customers from a distance.
Facilities required will include the arena, a covered warm-up arena, viewing galleries, catering, toilets, an extensive car park, and good vehicle access.
Please remember that special consideration must be given to the VAT aspects of diversification as the new activity may not be treated the same as the existing farm business from a VAT standpoint.
Market
Pressures of work or study on horse owners and riders mean that the market for all-weather covered facilities that can be used at night has grown over the last 10 years. A number of centres have been developed to cater for this demand, but not all have survived.
Increased access to horse transport has made location less important than it once was, but reasonable proximity to population centres is still going to be required. The business and management skills of the operator, in addition to their technical or competition reputation is a significant factor.
The ability to fill what is, in essence, a multi-purpose activity centre all day, every day with a range of activities will add considerably to overall profits.
Physical Requirements
No information available
Costs
The following costing information is general and current prices should be sought for budgeting purposes.
Capital Costs
Highly variable, depending upon the site. Covered shed, new £100 to £120 / sq metre.
Ideal size 80mx50m, but smaller sizes may prove acceptable down to 60mx40m. Re-use of existing shed preferred, where height and span allow.
Car park £7.20 / sq metre using purchased hardcore and binding.
Running Costs
Rates May be in excess of £10,000/ annum.
Labour variable (NB Minimum Wage legislation may add significantly to costs).
Sundries/maintenance £4.00/horse/week in stables.
Feed up to £12/week/horse in stables.
Returns
Full livery (no exercise) £35 - £60+/horse/week. Arena hire £10 - £20 per hour.
Horse show profits variable. Dealing Most proprietors make significant income from dealing, bringing on young horses etc.
Constraints
- Horse owners - not always easy to deal with.
- Rates – many centres run as clubs with fees to cover the rates and minimise risk.
- Reputation and riding skills essential to attract clientel to shows, lessons etc.
- Business management skills essential.
Training
Grants
Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.
Further Information
Publications
The Scottish Equestrian magazine Horse Business Management Handbook, Warwickshire College of Agriculture, 3rd Edit (1990). Running a stables as a business. Janet MacDonald (BHS).