Do you think there is a call for freelance livery??

[_jetset_]

After my little dilema yesterday, I started thinking... dangerous, I know!

Anyway, I am currently looking for a journalism job, but until one comes up I have been working in a restaurant a few nights a week. But, I have really enjoyed doing my friend's two horses this week and at £10 a day I have made a nice little amount to put towards my holiday fund.

Do you think there is a market for this type of thing? I live in Lancashire so would prefer to stay in this area when doing livery for people...

Thanks,

Rebecca

 

[jj_87]

I'd love someone to do that for me when i go away currently the whole family cant go on holiday as the horses need doing. Would you ride them to keep them ticking?

 

[_jetset_]

I was thinking of that... I have no professional qualifcations but have ridden to elem dressage and started having lessons on a GP dressage horse!

 

[scrat]

Yes definatly. I'm looking after my daughters horses while she is on holiday which is fine. However we've had to contact a freelance groom to help me as the mare needs her hoof pouticing every day and i cannot do this on my own!! The point being that it is always useful to know of a reliable and knowledegable person that can help in unexpected situations. I would advertise locally and I'm sure you will build up a few clients, probably by word of mouth. Good luck.

 

[Parkranger]

I think there is but you'd need to get in with all the local yards.....I tend to just ask one of the girls on the yard to do Ty if I'm away......think there's a market though. Good luck xxx

 

[Halfpass]

Definatly a market for it. You could always approach DIY yards as although they generally help each other out its always nice to have someone else realiable around. It may also be worth considering doing some sort of an emergencey call out. I'm sure we have all been in a situation where our horses need doing but something comes up ie bad traffic / illness etc and you just need someone at short notice. OOOOOhhh you have my mind racing now. Good luck anyway fab idea. Wish you were nearer me.

 

[allijudd]

There could be a market.... we provide livery cover for people when they go away on holiday but also have people come down on holiday and bring their horses with them, its cheaper than putting them on full livery.
Good luck with the new idea.

 

[Clodagh]

Round here there are a couple of people who advertise to do freelance livery type woek, I should think it would be very useful to know someone.

 

[x_Hannah_x]

I do that.. my job is regular for two horses on a private yard at the home of owner for £7 an hour

not bad for a 15yr old, all cash in hand and its no problem if I want to swop or change days, go on holiday or can't make it. It is a 2minute walk for my home, and Dayna my boss is one in a million, gives very good xmas and bday bonus's and if you want to earn some extra cash, she'll find odd jobs around the yard that need doing.

I know I am very very lucky, Im extremely grateful to Dayna, but it just goes to show that if you get the right kind of people, it is a very worthwhile job for extra cash. Im eternally grateful

 

[_jetset_]

The thing is, I am doing some freelance journalism too... but need some money to help hubby out with our mortgage...

I am 23 years old, so have my own transport but recognise that some people would prefer to have a teenager doing it and paying them less

 

[Equibeau]

Yes, but as a driver, you have an advantage in some ways that you can get to the "countryfied" places!! I think it is a good idea, if I was younger I would consider doing it! Let me know what you decide to do, as I could be your first customer!!

 

[_jetset_]

Thanks Gaynor... Just designing a leaflet while I am thinking about it!

I will let you know... I just think there is a call for it round here at the moment.

 

[vicijp]

http://www.petmaid.co.uk/

This is a similar service which has just started up in my area.

 

[sweet_decline]

Bit off topic - but hope the journalism works out for you. I've been doing it for just over a year now and loving it - also v flexible time-wise which is a bonus.

Do you specialise in a particular type of writing?

 

[_jetset_]

Not really... would love to concentrate on equestrian but as I live in the north there is not much call for it up here! Got an interview for a regional magazine next week, so maybe something will come from that. But if not, I am seriously going to think of doing this freelance livery thing and try to get more journalism experience. I did a postgrad course so it's just a case of getting more writing experience now!

How about you?

 

[sweet_decline]

Again - would love to get into equestrian...

I work on a legal magazine in London as did law at uni...not always the most inspiring but I have v short attention span!

Good luck in your interview

 

[_jetset_]

Thanks... I think the problem is that I need to move down south, but I have so many ties up here it's quite difficult to think about!

I have a house with my husband, and will have 2 horses this time next year (my mare is in foal) so the livery would be astronomical from what I have heard so far... I also love living in Lancashire, I find it comforting to be near my parents (well, 20 minutes away) and I love where I live! My house is everything I have always wanted, and we wouldn't be able to afford this near London.

 

[sweet_decline]

I'm originally from NW - currently staying with my parents and don't want to go back to London now!

I'm only there for the job, and re-considering alot of things at the mo.

I've spent the past few years 'falling into' things re job, horse, where I live - and now wondering if I should have done things differently.

Hoping after a few years in London I will be able to go freelance and live in middle of nowhere - I am definately not a 'city' gal!

I'd keep at the freelance stuff - tbh as long as you have computer and internet connection you can produce the goods

 

[suzyseymour]

I know what would be a big help for me is someone who could go down and catch and hold my horse when vets, farriers, dentists etc are due. They always want to some in the day when I'm at work and I rent a field on my own so usually get my Mum to do a 2 hour round trip, to do them. She's a star!

What about getting in touch with some of the full/part livery yards and offer to cover if they have some off sick or on holiday. Chanses are they won't have many staff so if 1 is off they may well need an extra pair on hands.

 

[x_Hannah_x]

[ QUOTE ]
I am 23 years old, so have my own transport but recognise that some people would prefer to have a teenager doing it and paying them less

[/ QUOTE ]

the girl that I took over from, a good friend of mine, was 26 and I am payed the same amount as her. For 5 days work this amounts to £50 a week, TBH Milena (the owner of horses) didnt want someone without their own transport ect to take the job, however I owe Anabell alot as she swayed her into giving me a chance, and so far she hasnt regret it

Give it a shot, what have you got to loose?

 

[sweet_decline]

I know what you mean - house prices around London are terrifying!

By the way, Hannah is boootiful!

 

[dieseldog]

Shame you didn't come up with this idea at the start of the school holidays... It might be a bit slow to start with but should pick up around Xmas.

Good Luck

 

[Iestyn]

We're in Cheshire and there are quite few freelance grooms around. When we were thinking about keeping oours at home we contacted one and she charged £8 per hour (not per service) and it was alwayse a minimum of 1 hour regardless of what the job was.

 

[_jetset_]

I was thinking of charging £10-£15 a day depending on how far I am having to travel. Do you think this is too much?

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Definitely, we have a lady that comes to our yard to do some horses and its her full time job. She doesn't charge a fortune and is really good. I guess the hardest bit would be getting a client base and reputation, once that is achieved word of mouth is what you need to expand the busisness.

 

[mandy4727]

Yes I do. Not just horses but other pets aswell. Part of the reason why I didnt go away this year. And my fear of flying. But that is another story. My cats are not innoculated so can't take them to a cattery. Neighbour has done it before but she has enough on her plate. All my friends have families or live too far away. So someone near and reliable to see to my horses, rabbit and cats would be great. And whats more I live near you!!!!!!!!!! You would obviously be busier in summer than winter but if you put a petrol allowance in there too and say you would also give medication where required etc etc. Why not. But watch out there are some loonies out there!!!!!!!!!

 

[PeterNatt]

I use a visiting groom service as do many of the people that keep their horses at home around me. We have a very reliable young lady that turns up each day (Monday to Fridays). She also does house/animal sitting if we go away and it all works out a very usefull service.

 

[PeterNatt]

(I pay £50 per week to have 2 stables mucked out, 2 hay nets filled and the poos picked up in a half acre paddock each weekday).

 

[_jetset_]

Thanks... definitely got my mind rolling now! Thinking of designing some leaflets...