Do you want to start a horse related business but you want to go niche? If YES, here are 30 best profitable horse business ideas.
Horses are known as one of the most fun yet most expensive hobbies you can have. Horses tend to require steady attention, space, and of course, food. Certain horse breeds are significantly more expensive than others due to traits like their appearance or intelligence.
Since our equine friends can be expensive, a good number of people like to supplement the costs. If you have a love for horses and want to be around them all the time, then you can start a business around them.
If you have the means and the time to commit to money-making horse activities, you might decide to make a full-time job out of it. But always remember that horses are expensive to maintain, and you will need plenty of savings set aside to cover initial fees, maintenance, and other costs.
There are plenty of business opportunities in the equestrian sector. Even if someone’s already doing what you want to do, as long as there isn’t a clear market leader and you believe you can do a better job than your competition then it’s worth a try.
Best Ways to Make Money With Horses
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Leasing Your Horse
This has become an interesting and somewhat new way to make money with horses, by allowing others to use your horse for a few hours at a time to practice riding. You start by marketing your business and attracting leasers’. Horse leasers’ will often be the riders that are graduating from one division to the next.
If a rider is outgrowing a pony but does not yet have another horse, leasing your horse is an excellent way for them to get used to the change and for you to make a little extra money.
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Horse Boarding
Although you are already boarding your horse, but if you have room for it, boarding horses can also be an easy way to make a little extra cash without going out of your way too much. Howbeit, you will need on-site amenities like plenty of hay, a spare stall or two, and a safe environment for the horses to spend time outdoors.
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Horse Manure Cleanup Service
If a pasture or an entire stable seems like too much to tend to, you can decide to specialize on the one thing that makes the most significant difference when it comes to cleaning for horses — the manure. Notably, if you start a business of manure removal coupled with fertilizer delivery, you might be able to corner that (admittedly smelly) market.
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Offer Riding Lessons
Horse riding lessons are one of the most popular ways to earn a little money on the side while still enjoying time with your pets. Lessons improve riding abilities and help instill confidence in young riders who are just getting into working and playing with horses.
First, you have to make sure your stable and horses are ready for visitors. You want to be certain that you can provide a positive experience to all of your clients so you can create a community of clients that trust you and continue to come back to you.
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Horse Tack Cleaner
Saddles, bridles, martingales, girths, and breastplates are all pieces of equipment that need extensive cleaning daily to promote the best life of the items. If possible, start with finding a horse owner you could tag along with or form a good relationship with their trusted tack cleaner.
The only thing you will need to do this job is knowledge of how to clean all tack items correctly and the correct cleaning products to complete the task.
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Offer Braiding Services
A good number of horse lovers who attend shows to offer their braiding services to owners have figured out an excellent way to make some side money without hefty start-up fees. Note that it cost almost nothing to braid manes and tails, yet you can walk away with hundreds of dollars after several clients utilize your services.
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Horse Transport
To transport several horses at one time to an event or back to owners, you will need access to a large trailer. The trailer should be cleaned and checked regularly to ensure the horses are comfortable and can arrive safely at the destination.
Since the horses’ riders will also be going to the event, transportation costs should not be too outrageous. You should consider the trailer’s fee and the extra gas or effort required to pull the horses, and then make your price from there.
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Rent Out Your Horse Arena
If you are lucky enough to have a wonderful place to take your horse riding, then you earn a side income by sharing that space with others for a small cost. Owners who take their horses to competitions are often looking for a welcoming and safe place to practice.
Even owners who ride for fun may want to change their scenery by exercising their horses in a different arena from time to time.
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Pasture Care
If you enjoy having your home’s lawn tended, pasture care is more or less done once or twice every two weeks. You will need to transport any machinery you need to complete the task.
In addition, you will need some equipment to start the process of pasture care, including a weed eater and lawn mower at the minimum. Though start off costs may be high if you don’t own these devices, you should be able to easily make more than $20 per hour for the pasture work you provide.
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Exercise Horses
If you know how to ride a horse, you know how to exercise a horse! Horses need a long walk pretty frequently, so when you are offering to exercise a horse, you are just offering to ride the horse for a while. Excitingly, you don’t need to know any of the training tips or commands to exercise a horse. All you need is confidence and an ability to work with horses; you may not be familiar with them right away.
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Horse Stable Cleaning Services
Cleaning a stable involves taking out and rinsing off the mats, sweeping and disposing of the waste, cleaning food troughs and water bowls, and sometimes washing blankets. Almost anyone can complete the tasks involved in keeping a stable clean.
Note that some horse owners prefer to employ teenage kids to clean their stables for a bit over minimum wage, usually around $10-$15.
But if you offer specialized services or work with a stable with several horses boarded, you can easily charge more per hour and work out a schedule with the stable owner that accommodates you both. Some facilities offer premium cleaning services through a team of certified cleaners.
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Barn Management
Barn managers are tasked with the daily care of horses; barn managers are highly skilled in horsemanship. They are expected to know basic medical treatment, nutritional needs, and behavioral techniques. Duties can include feeding, mucking stalls, and turning out horses. Barn managers are also in charge of barn staff and office scheduling and billing. Their pay begins at $32,000 annually.
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Affiliate Marketing for Horse-Related Items
If you have had horses for a long time, there’s no doubt you are conversant with the various brands of horsing equipment available. A simple and reliable way to make some cash on the side is by partnering with an affiliate program for a brand of horse materials you like to use.
Most affiliate programs work based on commission. To make money, you post an endorsing link to the company’s website for the specific products they sell. When people use that link to navigate to that product’s page and then purchase that item, you receive a commission from the sale.
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Horse Training
Note that this hands-on position allows experienced equestrians to spend their time training horses. Trainers are expected to educate horses under the saddle and on the ground.
Depending on their expertise, they may work with young horses, or complete the finishing touches. Some may own their facilities, while others may rent a space from a barn owner. According to reports, the salary for this title begins at $25,000 annually, but can quickly grow to over $66,000 a year.
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Offer Tours
Horse-guided hikes and tours are becoming quite popular in some of the most beautiful areas of the country. Note that you can volunteer you and your horse to work as “equitours” almost anywhere in the world. These horseback-riding vacations are a form of tourism that is still thriving in many places.
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Equine Nutritionist
Focusing on the health, diet, and feeding behavior of horses, nutritionists are experts on the anatomy and dietary needs of equines.
We see them in universities, veterinary practices, and feed manufacturing companies. There are projected job growths for this career. Although a substantial amount of education tends to be required, the position does pay reasonably well at over $60,000 a year.
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Horse Photography
If you have a good camera and some knowledge of the skill, you can indeed do well working as a horse photographer on the side. Understanding horses and events in a show will help photographers of all experience levels capture the best photos.
If you know how to work a camera, then all you require is to attend an equestrian show and try to snap some shots. The more experience you get behind the lens, the better you will be and the better photos you will capture. Once you are confident in your skills, you can sell your photographs or offer sessions for riders with their horses.
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Equine Insurance
There are so many insurance companies that specialize in equine policies. These companies also need sales agents to offer insurance policies to horse owners and stables.
Sales agents should expect to balance their time between traveling to meet clients and recording information in the office. They are solid communicators and not afraid to discuss casualties and liabilities. Profits vary, but generally, agents earn around $62,500 yearly.
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Social Media Influencer
In this modern era, social media is having a bigger and bigger role in our lives in every way. Fortunately, there is a market for just about everything on there — including horse equipment. Instagram users who have a large following, also known as influencers, could make some extra cash by reviewing and marketing products from various brands.
Just like affiliate marketing, influencers who advertise and get more potential customers interested in a product will profit from the exposure. Note that the larger following you have, the more money you stand to make.
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Farrier
Those in this line are usually self-employed. Farriers travel throughout their area and attend to the needs of their equine clients.
Trimming, shoeing, and balancing hooves are all part of the responsibilities. Note that most receive education in the form of an apprenticeship or certification program. Annual salary can vary greatly depending on the type of barn served. You can expect from $40,000 to $150,000, if not more.
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Show Judging
If you are familiar with the rules and requirements of your discipline you might consider starting to work as a horse show judge at local shows. Judges are known to earn a few hundred dollars per day and may also be compensated for travel and meals. Shows are also often hosted over the weekend, so this helps those who have limited availability during the work week.
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Equine Veterinary Technician
With significantly less education required, technicians work closely with veterinarians to assist with exams and various procedures. Note that the typical duties can include prepping horses for surgery, taking radiographs, and processing blood work.
Certification programs are available that help students become licensed in two years. The median salary for this title is $32,000 yearly. Top earners can receive over $48,000 annually
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Trail Rides
Leading trail rides can be a wonderful and enjoyable way to supplement your income, especially if you are located near scenic areas or beaches. Trail guides may supply the horses to be used on the tour, or owners may bring their own horses to ride.
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Equine Veterinarian
The doctors of the equine world, veterinarians treat injuries and illnesses. Note that these experts also routinely provide preventive services, such as annual vaccines and pre-purchase exams. Many specialize in areas like reproduction, lameness, or dental.
This career requires a significant amount of schooling but has a solid starting salary of roughly $47,000. Those established and with their own practice can easily earn over $150,000 annually.
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Become a Reseller
It’s clear that lots of horse related products bear inflated prices because they’re just that. Check websites such as AliExpress, Alibaba, and Banggood for products suitable for resale. When buying to resell make sure you calculate operating costs – if you use eBay and PayPal around 13% of your sale price is consumed by fees alone.
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Clothing Brand
In the United States, a good number of boutique companies now offer horse-related clothing. If you are thinking of bringing out your own line then check out the competition and see whether you can offer anything better than what’s already available.
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Riding Instructor
Most instructors have extensive horseback riding knowledge. These experts usually specialize in a discipline, such as show jumping, dressage, hunt seat, barrel racing, western pleasure, and other types. A riding instructor is expected to educate students on the art of riding.
A salary of $35,000 to $39,000 a year in typical, but well-known and respected individuals can yield a much higher income. An hourly rate is usually charged per lesson taught.
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Product Sales Representative
There is an enormous market for retailers and equine businesses. New products are constantly coming up on the market. Most companies that sell tack, stable equipment, grooming supplies, fencing, blankets, and supplements are always on the prowl for effective sales representatives.
Candidates are expected to be outgoing and enjoy traveling. Most positions include a base salary, commission, a company car, and bonuses. On average, sales reps can earn $70,000 annually. Irrespective of the niche you choose, there are plenty of ways to start a side hustle and still be around horses every day.
The most dedicated and hardworking individual may even be able to create an entire business out of their horse hustle. Discovering how to make money with horses requires some patience and creativity, and perhaps a bit of start-up funding. But once you find your niche, you will see the profits rolling in.