employing a stable hand

[BigLebowski]

I'm a novice with horses, looking for help with the care of two horses.

It occurs to me that if I take on someone for a few hours a week then I become an employer and I'm worried about any claim should they get badly injured. Am I right in thinking I'm best off simply hiring a professional contractor and that its not worth taking the risk with casual help?

If I do go down the casual route then I imagine I'd have to get insurance which would be costly and may not pay anyway if they could argue I didn't know what I was doing.

Cheers
Nick

 

[silverbullet]

Have you thought of advertising for a sharer.

When I found I was short on time looking after my boys I got a sharer - although she rides as much as she likes really she is also my general dogsbody around the yard (sorry nic

) and does alot of the day to day chores plus trimming, clipping etc!

 

[martlin]

It depends on your situation, as f.ex. if you keep horses at home, your stable hand can be classed as domestic staff and be covered by your house insurance.
Obviously, hiring a freelance groom will be much easier from the claim/insurance point of view.

 

[loopylucifer]

look for a freelance groom that way its all up to them? some instructors do this sort of thing as well as teaching. you could advitised for someone or look for work wanted ads? careergrooms.com have lists of freelancce groom why not go have a look?