Grooms?

[now_loves_mares]

Possibly having a groom sounds a bit grand - but I'm wondering if I'd be able to find a part time helper. I have 2 horses at home, and as winter approaches I'm panicking a bit. I work full time, and unfortunately the field is about a half mile walk from my stables. Last winter, it would be about 6pm by the time I'd get home for them, so they would basically rear and buck and try to take off the whole way back to the stable every night

So - this winter I was thinking I'd get someone to take them in for me earlier, they are generally better if it's light and they aren't so cold. I now also have a shelter which will help and they will get haylage during the day too. Still expect them to be feisty though

Is it reasonable to ask someone to do this? They can obviously be a bit of a handful, and TBH it's a bit riskier than I'd like. It's partly up a road, albeit a country one with rare traffic. I'd be terrified that they would hurt someone, or indeed get hurt themselves, so I don't know where I'd stand with insurance etc if I was paying someone

Does anyone else do something like this and have some experience?

 

[dsophiea]

not sure about insurance etc, but quite a few people on my yard pay someone to bring there horses in for the same reason as you are wanting, im sure there will be someone who would be willing to help you!

 

[corinnematthews]

I am in similar situtation to you - and am looking for help to get my pointers fit (2 - maybe 3) this winter. But the farm does have employers liability and I am looking to employ someone (very p/t) who will have their own self employed insurance - which I think is the key here. The bottom line is that you have to be straight in how your horse might behave and get someone who is both experienced in dealing with 'lively nags' and who is covered - and it may be costly!

 

[Jane_Lou]

I would ask around the local tack shops etc to see of they can recommend a freelance groom, they should have their own insurance and you don't have to worry about tax etc as they sort themselves out.

 

[hallarider]

I put an advert of gumtree.com and have got a fantastic girl that comes up 2 hours every morning to muck out and turnout. I did get a really good response from the advert and it was free to advertise.

Just sift the wheat from the chaff - you can tell alot when they come for interview just give them a headcollar and you stand back and watch how they handle your horses. Also I stated must be over a certain age, I also ask for references which seemed quite fussy for the amount of hours but they would be handling my big horses.

Good luck

 

[loopylucifer]

yep look for freelance groom its upto them about insureance and tax then put ad in local paper and ask around as said above get refs if they are gd enough they wont mind.