How much to charge....

L

L&M

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2008
Messages
6,378
Location
up a hill
Visit site
A friend has asked me to look after her 2 horses and 3 dogs for a week whilst on holiday.

They will be kept at mine and the horses too be stabled 24/7 (owners choice). They will be using my haylage/straw but she is bringing hard feed.

Being a friend, I don't want to ask a huge amount, but equally will be using my supplies so don't feel I can do it for free, and will be mucking out twice daily and exercising etc, as well as walking the dogs.

What do you think?
 
I probably wouldn't charge for the dogs as such but you need to cover the costs for the horses, she will be saving a huge amount by you taking them rather than paying someone to come in or putting them in livery, if she could even find anywhere at this time of year. Hay/ straw at cost around £20- 30 per horse plus 2-3 hours of your time daily to muck out and exercise them both, even at just £5 per hour that would be reasonably fair.
 
I think you should charge full livery rates. I pay £100 a week per horse (mate's rates) if I take my horses to my friends yard and £10 per day per dog. I supply their feed too and shavings.

If someone comes to my house and house sits (turning out/bringing in/mucking out 2/no exercising) and walking dogs it's £30 a day.

Taking on 2 horses and 3 dogs is a lot!
 
Friend or not I would find an excuse not to have them. I had a friends dog for a week, she forgot to tell me it didn't want to come at night and would nip if you got it by the collar.
 
Personally, I would be charging her exactly what the hay, straw, etc is costing you and nothing more. I would however expect that a good friend would be happy to return the favour - and would bring you something nice back from her holiday!
 
celia said:
Personally, I would be charging her exactly what the hay, straw, etc is costing you and nothing more. I would however expect that a good friend would be happy to return the favour - and would bring you something nice back from her holiday!
Click to expand...

That's quite a big favour to exercise 2 horses every day at this time of year on top of whatever you are usually doing to fill in the day.
 
Ask what you would be happy with, but to be honest, its a lot to ask of anyone, it is going to take up most of your day, so I think your actual costs plus £25 to £35 per day would be more than reasonable. Less if they are only standing in, more if exercised.
I can't see actual costs being less than £1 per day per horse.
If she had to pay for someone to go to her place and do all that it would be at least £350 in labour costs.
I would make sure she agreed to pay for any damage and was insured third party for dogs and horses.
 
Last edited:
I pay £11 per day on top of my DIY if I want part livery (no riding). I pay £45 per month for adlib haylage and provide my own hard feed. If you enjoy riding her horses then maybe that could be free, otherwise I pay £20 - £20 for a professional to ride mine.

Depends on how good a friend she is and what is the real chance of her being able to look after your horses if you go away as she is obviously not in the same yard as you.....
 
If its an extremely good / close friend and you help each other out, i'd say £40 for haylage (working out that my 4 go through 1 a week but they'll be in 24/7), £15 straw and £30 on top. £85 for the week.

If shes not THAT good of a friend, id say same but £100 on top. £170. Its still rates mates compared.

But then, my full livery pays £40 pweek everything included even quality linseed meal / brewers yeast / carrots... lol!
 
Thanks guys that's really helped.

Yes she is a good friend but bearing in mind the time of year and having 3 others to do, I am hoping the week will go quickly!

She cannot return the favour as has does not have the facilities - would have been easier if it was 'favour in return'.

Think I will ask for £100 all in, then feel that she has given me a fair amount without taking advantage.

All animals are insured and she has contacted her insurers they will be here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top