If you’re a budding professional looking to start your own equestrian business – whether training horses, teaching riders, or buying and selling prospects – here are some pieces of advice I’ve gathered as food for thought before you begin.
Are you really ready?
There’s so much to say to someone entering this industry, but let’s start with the most important question:
Have you spent a significant amount of time working under the umbrella of an accomplished trainer?
In other words, have you held an assistant role for a sustained period of time? If the answer is yes, continue on. If the answer is no, stop right here and go work for someone!
This may sound blunt, but it’s strategic and wise. Working under an experienced professional expedites your learning, helps you avoid novice mistakes, and allows you to earn while you learn. It can be hard advice to follow for young, confident riders eager to run their own show — but it’s crucial advice. Spend a few years learning while earning. Bide your time. Observe systems and strategies. Stay humble.
Identify Your Strengths and Goals
Are you a brave, technical rider who enjoys producing young horses? Do you love teaching kids and ponies? Are you most fulfilled when helping students progress and achieve their goals? Knowing where your natural talents and passions lie helps you make strategic decisions and keeps you motivated when the work gets hard.
Take time to know yourself. Your strengths and goals may not align perfectly right now, but clarity (and honesty) is key.
Create a Financial Plan
This is one of the most overlooked parts of starting an equestrian business – yet one of the most essential. Horses may be your passion, but your business must also make sense on paper.
Start with a clear budget that outlines your expected expenses and income streams. Include everything from feed, bedding, vet care, and farrier costs to fuel, marketing, insurance, and show expenses. Don’t forget to factor in your time – your own hours and energy are valuable resources.
Be honest about your numbers and plan for the unexpected. Horses get hurt, trucks break down, and show seasons fluctuate. Build a financial buffer, ideally three to six months of essential funds that gives you security and breathing room in the event of unexpected costs or emergencies.
Seek mentorship from someone who is both reputable and financially successful in their own business. A good business mentor can help you see pitfalls early and make informed, realistic decisions. If numbers aren’t your strength, hire a bookkeeper or accountant to help you stay organized. Consider taking an online business course – there are even free ones available.
Finally, be patient. Start small and let the business build itself. Focus on doing excellent work for your clients and horses; word of mouth will grow your reputation faster and more reliably than any ad campaign.
Narrow Your Focus
Don’t say ‘yes’ to every opportunity just because it’s “more business.” Many make the mistake of believing that more is always better; it’s not. More is only better when that “more” aligns with what you truly want for your business.
You can’t be all things to all people; if you try, you’ll dilute the very qualities that make your brand unique and powerful. Be authentically you and do business with people who align with your beliefs and goals.
Invest in Your Own Training
Never stop being a student. The best professionals are the ones who continue to learn, refine, and grow. Invest in your own development – take lessons, attend clinics, audit top riders, and surround yourself with people who raise your standard.
Establish a hierarchy of learning. By remaining a lifelong student, you place yourself within a living tradition of horsemanship, growth, and knowledge. Your horses, students, and business will all benefit from it.
Starting a business in the horse industry takes grit, patience, and a deep love of the process. It’s not a straight path, there will be challenges, setbacks, and unexpected turns. But if you approach it with humility, integrity, and a willingness to learn, it can become one of the most rewarding journeys you’ll ever take.
Build something that reflects your values, your vision, and your passion for horses. Let your business grow at its own pace, and never lose sight of why you started!
***
Holly Grayton has a long and varied background in the sport of show jumping, excelling at the highest level as a rider, trainer, coach, and manager. Grayton Farms, established in 2008, is a successful training and sales barn Holly runs as trainer, coach and senior VP with her husband Alexander in Calgary, AB.
The Latest
