How much for a groom?

LG's Skivvy said:
So even if I just want someone for a few months, 4 to be precise and it's for a couple of hours a day I have to formally employ them? I thought tax etc was based on some sort of minimum earnings threshold... :confused:

I don't want all the hassle of having to formally employ someone, I just want to be able to bung someone 20,30, 40, whatever, quid a week and know my horse is going to be looked after when I'm not there :D
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As it is for a short term you can tell them that they are self employed, responsible for their own personal insurance , NI and tax, most people will take the cash and stick it in their pocket, and that will be the end of the matter.
Yes there is a tax threshold, but that does not mean they don't have to declare their earnings, the IR will always assume the worst.
Obviously many people do work in the black economy, but in truth, if they are on benefits [of which there are many] they have to declare all their earnings. People on benefits do not go around the country shouting about it.
I just issued the warning about insurance as if something dreadful happened they would have no compunction but to sue you.
Welcome to the UK employment system.
 
Beans2000 said:
I get 1700 pcm for sole charge of 1 horse 5 minis and 5 ponies, i also keep 5 of mine there and can do them in work time, i work 6 days a week 9-5 have a works car and all uniform and equipment is supplied..I also keep my horses for the price of feed and shoes..dont know how good i have it!!
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WOW: you could sub contract and spend your mornings in bed while your slave does all the hard work!
 
I pay my help £20 set rate per morning. All she has to do is muck mine out, leave beds up and do waters. Some days she has 4 to do others she has 12. I have told her she is employed on a self employed basis but am fully insured etc. she dosent have to bring in or turn out as I do this and get on and ride. Our yard is kept very well by her and she was a real find. I sometimes pay her to do a bit more ie lunge or clip/ tidy up. So if she does a full morning will take home about forty quid. It's worth paying well as mine is local and comes back if needed pm.
 
hi there
I went to ireland for 3 weeks work, I was paid around £900 for the 3 weeks. My flights, accomodation, all meals and travel was all paid for the entire 3 weeks. I worked 6 days a week from 8am until 5.30. my duties included schooling 2 or 3 horses a day, mucking out around 10 horses, giving a lesson, helping in lessons, holding for farrier, grooming and bathing etc.
hope this gives you another fairly rough guide.

ps.
I don't know what area you stay in, but if you are looking for a freelance groom I am available. I would be happy with any wage you were willing to give providing it is above the minimum and that travelling fees were paid.
 
Mariposa - If she did ten til four every day that's not bad but guess the days she stays til 9pm it brings it more in line with minimum wage. I've just been working it out on my phone
 
Beans2000 said:
I get 1700 pcm for sole charge of 1 horse 5 minis and 5 ponies, i also keep 5 of mine there and can do them in work time, i work 6 days a week 9-5 have a works car and all uniform and equipment is supplied..I also keep my horses for the price of feed and shoes..dont know how good i have it!!
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Jesus, I'll happily swap places with you. Are the owners loaded by any chance?
 
CalllyH said:
Mariposa - If she did ten til four every day that's not bad but guess the days she stays til 9pm it brings it more in line with minimum wage. I've just been working it out on my phone
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But on polo days she starts at lunch time...I probably should have added that! So if we're playing at 5pm, she comes in between 1 and 2pm!

I think £270 a week for 5 days is a decent wage, plus the almost extra £2k spent on her club membership and lorry lessons and test, I think its a decent job :)
 
I worked it out at nine quid an hour in that case so pretty good deal mariposa, can I come and work for you instead of my stressful office job
 
Don't forget us students :-) doing your own tax really isn't that hard! Will work for pittance shovelling poo, just don't make me work in the call centre again *rocks back and forth* anything but the call centre!!
 
Miss L Toe said:
WOW: you could sub contract and spend your mornings in bed while your slave does all the hard work!
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Haha:p

I know i hve it good but i do work hard, ihappily do overtime with no whining work my mornings off in wnter when they ae all n, help witpperwork etc etc.

I am very lucky
 
CalllyH said:
I worked it out at nine quid an hour in that case so pretty good deal mariposa, can I come and work for you instead of my stressful office job
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Of course ;)

The only bit that annoys me is that I love doing all those things that my groom gets to do. All the fussing and grooming, exercising and generally faffing about in the yard...I love all that so much, its what horses are all about! But I too am stuck in a stressful office job so I can pay for the ponies! Really must remember to buy a lottery ticket this weekend!!
 
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned riding - or have they 'cos I only speed read!?

I also used to be a groom - just moved on 'cos I needed a real wage. I only once worked outside big commercial yards and got paid a much better rate but the horses were about one tenth the value of those in a big yard and a fraction of the quality. They were still good privately owned horses - not nags but to a 20 something that lived to ride they didn't fare against stallions and youngstock.

As soon as more work became available in the better yard I dropped the better paid private job.

I know 2 semi retired grooms in their 40s 50s that are excellent and self employed but not interested in riding horses other than their own. I know that there are plenty of riding freelance grooms about because my old boss now uses them but judging by his moaning it often has downsides! He's had a fair few pre-madonnas!

I'm an oldie so undoubtedly biased but unless I had extremely attractive stock to attract young ambitious blood I'd hunt down another golden oldie that's earned their stripes, has references to die for and just needs a little pin money. I think it's worth the few pennies extra to avoid the hassle, the two I know charge 10 and just over quid an hour. I'm sure they exist in all parts of the UK but suspect without some contacts with big yards they wouldn't be easy to find. Both people I know never reply to or advertise.
 
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