What about this idea for the kids or big kids??? UK?

Question

HI I HAVE RIDING/LIVERY STABLES AND HAD A STUD FARM BUT I SOLD THE FARM AS IT WAS TO MUCH TO HANDLE.

I HAVE 27 HORSES THAT I OWN AND ANOTHER 72 LIVERY OWNERS.

THE LIVERY'S ARE ALL DIY, SO I DON'T REALLY HAVE TO DO ANYTHING FOR THEIR HORSES SO I ONLY HAVE MY 27 TO LOOK AFTER, WHICH IS QUITE ENOUGH.

I WAS THINKING FOR THE SUMMER I COULD DO THIS...

LOAN THE HORSES FOR A WEEK.

I WOULD GIVE THE PERSON A LESSON AND SEE HOW GOOD THEY ARE AND SEE IF THEY COULD LOOK AFTER A PONY AND HANDLE IT.

I THOUGHT I WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA FR THE KIDDIES WHO'S PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD A HORSE FOR THEM.

I THINK I WILL CHARGE £30 A WEEK, AS I STILL NEED TO FEED MY HORSES WHICH IS ABOUT £25 A WEEK.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?

Answer 1

I think its a good idea but I'm not sure if a week all at once or say a chain of a few appointments would be better e.g. let people come at the same time and day every week for a few weeks..you could charge the same but it might be more practical for some people to have one or more appointments in a week rather than be committed to every day for a whole week.

Perhaps think of a fee per x hours and be a little bit more flexible about when people can take their hours would be better?

I also think it would be an idea to offer "horse care lessons" for a bit extra money, you supervise them and show them how to care for the horse to begin with, then when you are confident they can do as they need to you could let them go it alone sort of thing!  This would definitely appeal to me as a parent whose children have had little contact with horses, especially if we could take the 3 girls as a group with one horse, so they could all take a turn in grooming the same horse etc., then perhaps have printed certificates or something for the kids to say they have learned a bit about horses, or even for your original idea a certificate to say "I looked after a horse this summer" or something, kids love that sort of thing to take back to school in september and show their friends and teachers, and you can print one out easily at home.  It wouldn't need to be anything overly flash but kids really love that sort of thing!  You could even charge for the certificates, I know I would pay a pound or two for one for my child if they did something like that.

The teaching element would also make your potential customer base bigger, as you could include people who like horses but don't really know how to care for them, instead of having to turn down anyone who isn't already horse proficient.  To make it easier on yourself you could do the teaching to groups at a time on a set day or whatever, so you needn't have it taking up too much of your time.

I would also to be on the safe side check out any insurance requirements as unfortunately the sue everyone for everything culture we seem to be living in may lead to problems for you in the future if you haven't checked this out beforehand.

Answer 2

i think it could be a good idea,i know a lot of young girls and boys have a love of horses and cant afford to own one etc,i know i was reading about a riding stables in county Durham which was helping the handicapped and others who were less fortunate,and it said how much it made a difference in there lives,so it can only be a good thing,as well as its a business and it has to pay for itself,the horses cant feed themselves,i hope you get it off the ground,the foundations are already there,you have got a good chance,good luck,peAce.

Answer 3

hi, I'm 16 n would luv a horse but cant afford one n if i lived near one of these i would do it, i think ur idea is really gd also i think it would be very popular too for all ages n abilities  :-D

Answer 4

It sounds like a good idea to me! AND PLEASE DON'T TALK IN ALL CAPS ITS ANNOYING!!!

Answer 5

This is a great idea! I know loads of people who would really appreciate it! And before I got my own horse, I would have loved it myself!

Answer 6

this is a good way to get others to do your mucking out and grooming. And pay you for the privilege. very clever!!

Answer 7

I think its a very cute idea. Maybe make a summer camp or something out of it. Like have each kid take care of a horse and give points out for certain things that must be done. Than at the end of the week have a picnic and give out prizes and such?

Answer 8

That's a really good idea, if I lived near you I would certainly do it!

Also I think it should be about £50 a week as you need to think about insurance too!

Good luck x

Answer 9

Hi, I have a friend who runs a riding school and she thought of doing a similar thing  - that and residential weeks during the school holidays. She got alterations made to the house to provide a dormitory etc. The only problem is that the insurance costs are horrendous. She dropped the idea ( and it's now a games room).

Answer 10

you could do horse residential holidays if you build a boarding house. the come for a week and every day you do a practical where you teach them something and 2 1hr lessons a day etc.  you can employ a few staff who can help cook the meals when their there and also u can split the kids into three groups and have one of your staff per group you need CRB check on each person and yourself and stuff like that and a website. you can charge like 350 quid a week and kids will love it. example.