The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook covers every aspect of this specialised business. Beginning with market research and planning, the handbook covers premises, choosing and preparing horses, tack and other equipment, and guiding skills. It continues with commercial management, marketing, working with agents, legal matters, and ethical considerations. After running through the organisation of a typical trail riding holiday, the handbook sets out sample itineraries, booking forms, disclaimers, accident forms and regulations for staff and guests. There is a comprehensive index.
I embarked on writing The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook after eight years running such a business. I wanted to record my experience for the benefit of anyone thinking of starting a riding holiday centre. I hoped too that the book would help equestrian professionals already running riding holiday centres. My co-author Wendy Hofstee, owner of Unicorn Trails, likewise wanted to help equestrian tourism professionals to improve their businesses.
The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook is a book with a limited readership. So it won't sell enough copies for a conventional publisher to take it on. Bearing that in mind, we've made the work available in pdf format free of charge. If you'd like a copy, please leave a comment. I'll email a pdf copy of the book to you.
A traditional softcover printed book is available from Lulu. There is a charge for this print-on-demand version in order to cover production and postage. The Lulu site gives prices.
Please do send your constructive comments and suggestions in order that future editions of The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook can be even better.
Please do share The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook. The more readers (and their horses) who benefit from it, the better.
As time goes on I shall add posts to this blog dealing with aspects of the equestrian tourism business. I'll answer reader's questions so far as I am able.
If you would like to use The Riding Holiday Centre Handbook as the basis for a commercial purpose such as a training programme, please contact me. Wendy Hofstee and I will be happy to discuss how we can work with you.