There’s no doubt owning a horse can be an expensive passion, particularly when you add up livery, feed, veterinary care, farrier visits, and all the equipment that seems necessary to keep one. So, for a lot of owners, discovering ways to earn a little extra from skills they already possess can definitely help make life more manageable at the yard.
You don’t have to take on a completely different job in this sphere to go alongside your regular working days, and that’s definitely the good news. There are plenty of little pick-up points all located on a yard to fit around an existing routine, whether it be grooming services right through to exercising horses.
Horse clipping
Clipping is one of the more obvious services for experienced horse owners, especially as we head into the autumn and winter months, when many horses need their coats managed.
Not every owner has the time, confidence, equipment, or even the funds for an expensive call-out, so experienced groomers can offer to clip for other liveries. There are different types of clips to consider depending on the horse’s workload and living arrangements, so knowing how to approach each job properly is important.
If you’re already comfortable with clipping, it can be a relatively straightforward service to add to a routine. It is also something that can be arranged around other commitments, as long as enough time is allowed for each horse.
Mane pulling and grooming
Away from clipping with shears, regular grooming is another service that can be offered at a livery yard. Some owners may struggle to find the time for more detailed jobs, particularly if they are balancing work and family commitments.
Mane pulling, trimming, and general competition preparation can all create opportunities for someone with the right experience. There is also demand for basic grooming before events, particularly when owners are short on time.
Trust matters when working with someone else’s horse, so this side hustle suits people with a strong reputation around their yard who know how to handle different horses safely.
Tack cleaning
Tack cleaning is often one of those jobs that gets pushed down the list when owners are busy. Saddles, bridles and other leather equipment need regular cleaning and conditioning, but it can be time-consuming when there are several pieces of tack to look after.
Someone who enjoys this kind of work could offer a tack-cleaning service to fellow liveries. It could involve a simple clean or more thorough maintenance ahead of a competition, for example. The work can also be done without disrupting the yard’s normal routine, making it an option for anyone looking for something relatively flexible.
Rug washing
Horse rugs are another item that can be difficult to keep clean throughout the year. Winter rugs in particular can become muddy and heavy, while summer rugs and fly sheets can also need regular attention.
A rug-washing service could be useful for owners who do not have suitable facilities at home. Depending on the equipment available, someone could collect rugs from other liveries, wash them and return them ready to use.
This is an area where having access to suitable washing and drying facilities can make a significant difference. Before setting prices, consider the costs of water, electricity, cleaning products, and equipment.
Exercising horses
Horse owners with experience riding and handling different types of horses may also be able to offer an exercise service. This could be particularly useful for owners recovering from an injury or struggling to fit regular riding into their schedule. Depending on the horse and the owner’s requirements, the service could involve suitable forms of exercise such as riding or lunging in a paddock.
Safety should always come first when exercising someone else’s horse, though. Clear communication about the horse’s routine and fitness levels is essential, and you should also consider suitable insurance before offering the service commercially.
Holiday cover
Holiday cover is another practical service that can work well within a livery yard. When owners go away, they still need someone reliable to care for their horses.
Depending on the arrangement, this might involve feeding, turning out, bringing horses in, mucking out and checking water. Some owners may only need help for a couple of days, while others could require cover for a longer break.
Being based at the same yard can make this particularly convenient. There is no need to travel between several locations, and an owner may feel more comfortable knowing their horse is being looked after by someone they already know.
Work out your costs before starting
As with any small side hustle, it is worth working out the costs involved before taking on regular customers. Equipment, travel, cleaning products and the amount of time each job takes can all affect whether a service is actually worthwhile.
It can also help to keep track of the figures involved in each service, particularly when deciding what to charge. Horse owners who are interested in different ways of working through figures may also come across tools such as a matched betting calculator, although this is separate from the costs and pricing involved in running a livery-yard service.
Turning an everyday passion into more
A horse-related side hustle does not necessarily need to become a full-time business. For many owners, the appeal is simply being able to make some additional income while using skills they already have.
Starting small can also be a sensible approach, as offering one service to a few trusted liveries can help you gauge demand before investing heavily in equipment or taking on more work.