"Helping" with horses: Gifts, wages, payments in kind?

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Dry Rot

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What is the position with people who help you out with your horses? How do you handle it?

I occasionally get help with my ponies and for the most part the help is free because my helpers enjoy it and sometimes they actually learn something! There are no fixed hours and they come when they like, though sometimes things settle into a routine. They get free riding, they get to play with ponies of all ages, I probably feed them, and occasionally there will be a hand out from my back pocket if I think they deserve extra. There is no poo picking or mucking out as I harrow and nothing is stabled and everything is out 24/7. If they are interested in showing, I provide transport, pay Employers' and Public Liability insurance and I usually get stuck on trailer watch at the shows. I pay all entry fees and they keep any prize money. In short, it is not meant to be a job and I don't regard any payments as wages. And, frankly, I don't want to be bothered with book keeping! It is meant to be fun.

That's how I've always seen it and how it was when I was young -- but am I being mean?
 
No I think you are being very generous - it is what in the olden days we used to call work for rides but in your cases your helpers do not seem to be going a great deal of work as it sounds like more of a fun experience for them as apposed to working especially as it seems to be a flexible arrangement so they don't have to come at the same time each week or day and can fit this in around their lives to suit them.

Having said this whenever I have needed helped I prefer to pay for it but that is because I need someone experienced that knows what they are doing and they are taking responsibly of caring for my pony when I can't and if they were riding their riding skills are of a level where I would be benefiting more than they were because my pony would be being schooled by a very professional rider. Unlike in your situation where it sounds like you are supervising your helpers quite a lot of the time rather than them being in sole charge of your ponies whilst you are not there.

I am actually on part livery so obviously the help I am paying for is professional help and they are taking on sole responsibility of looking after my pony when I am unable to, which is a big responsibility and hence paid for accordingly.
 
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Dry Rot said:
That's how I've always seen it and how it was when I was young -- but am I being mean?
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Not mean at all, I agree with the above - I think you are being generous and if it is working out well for everyone involved I certainly wouldn't be changing anything. I used to do something very similar to your 'helpers' and would get some petrol money if I was going over regularly but for the most part it sounds similar to your set up in that I would get occasional lessons paid and show entries paid for in exchange helping on the yard.
 
I don't think you are being mean at all - but I do have a note of caution. You are paying employer's liability insurance which could be interpreted as accepting that you are employing someone. (Possibly you are if someone comes relatively regularly - wages or not). Everything is fine as long as everyone is happy - but this can be a litigious society and I would just be very careful no-one could possibly establish a claim for national minimum wage. Or complain that you are employing children without LEA consent (depends on their ages obviously...) It would be rotten for someone to twist what looks like a very mutually beneficial experience - but people do that sometimes!
 
Shay said:
I don't think you are being mean at all - but I do have a note of caution. You are paying employer's liability insurance which could be interpreted as accepting that you are employing someone. (Possibly you are if someone comes relatively regularly - wages or not). Everything is fine as long as everyone is happy - but this can be a litigious society and I would just be very careful no-one could possibly establish a claim for national minimum wage. Or complain that you are employing children without LEA consent (depends on their ages obviously...) It would be rotten for someone to twist what looks like a very mutually beneficial experience - but people do that sometimes!
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I've been advised that I need Employers Liability whether a helper is paid or not, and most will be "adults". I've recently started getting a parent or guardian to complete a BHS registration form which should cover most things, but I take your point. I am also careful what I put in advertisements!
 
I think you are being very generous. I am 'helping' someone with two ponies and have been doing this since November and I have gotten one ride. I actually end up having them riding and me holding the leadrope and leading the ponies on a hack. (yes one adult on the leadrope with one adult leading and one child on leadrope with adult leading) I do poo picking, teaching the horses manures, grooming, feeding and some fence maintainance if they need help with it. I have ridden one of them for one hack to see where things go wrong if someone on leadrope rides. (I do not need leadrope though and no problems, so not sure why the others have issues) It is a 20 min drive from my house, so it is not like it next door or within walking distance. I get the occasional cup of tea and am sometimes up there for about 4 hours. Oh and had to get my own insurance as I don't think the ponies are insured.

It is one of the reasons I have been looking for something else. I don't mind paying for helping or sharing, but I want to do something a bit more up my street and more often. As sometimes I feel I am taken for a mug just because I love being around horses and I do need my break from regular life. Can't wait to find my own horse and do it my way, but till that time some lessons and some sharing will keep me happy.
 
You're very nice!

A friend turns out for me, so I catch in or skip out and I buy pellets in bulk for both of us. I often get her supplements or treats. She saves me loads in turn out fees, plus massive bonus, she does weekend mornings because she's either working or giving/lessons. For me, the turning out is hugely important.

If I didn't return favours, I'd pay her.

If someone wants to ride, I'd normally expect payment or chores in return.
 
I have four horses, 2 suitable for novices, the other two need a bit of experience, the grandkids come and ride in exchange for poo picking or grooming, I also have a lovely lady comes as and when she can, in order to learn about general care of horses, they all get to ride, with me walking alongside those that need it, fair exchange I think
 
It looks like I have been over generous and spoilt my latest helper! A mutual friend who is also "something in the Pony Club" was even coming out to give her free riding lessons on one of my ponies! Oh well, she has now departed, so I will turn the page and move on. And there I was blaming myself. Thanks everyone for putting my mind at rest.
 
I would have killed for something like this as a kid !!

you are incredibly generous !

I used to help at the riding school every saturday all day & we worked hard for kids ! & we got 1 free ride a month & tbh at the time I thought it was wonderful :)
 
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