How much to look after my horse??

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SecretSquirrell379

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We are going on holiday in about 4 weeks and one of the guys down the yard has offered to look after my mare for me while I am away. I normally get a mobile lady to come in and this time last year she charged me £7.50 per day (for 2 horses, I've only got mine now) we are away for 3 weeks so its a big offer. He had said that he does not want any money, to which I said that he couldn't do it if I didn't pay him, he won't discuss money with me so I'm just going to pay his field rent for him with what I want to pay him. Does that make sense?

Cropi lives out 24/7 so each day he will have to:

Give Breakfast, change rugs, take fresh hay to field, poo pick field
Give Dinner, change rugs, take fresh hay to field, poo pick (if its not raining!)

A couple of times a week I would like her taken in, given a quick brush, feet picked out and checked over as well.

He is already down the yard to do his 2 so no fuel to think of. All food will be there, and extra if needed. I reckon it will take him an hour a day, tops.

So what do I pay him??? £7.50 a day or maybe more?? I don't know and I don't think its very fair to ring up my normal girl and ask what she charges now!!!

What do you pay or even better charge? I'm on the Essex/Suffolk border if that makes any difference!

Thanks

Tricksy
grin.gif
(hoping that we still manage to get to Kenya!)
 
If he isn't happy about taking money, rather than cause any embarrasement why don't you buy him a really nice pressie as a thank you? Something you know he would appreciate?
 
You could offer him money when you come back. He might take it!
Otherwise give him a good present as suggested.

The previous girl was doing it for a living, so you wouldn't neec to pay him as much, but it seems quite reasonable really when you saw how much there is to do.

I think my local person charges £6.00 per hour - fetching in, changing rugs, muching out the stable, etc. I always put the feeds ready in little bags, so she only has to empty the bag into the feed bowl, so that saves time.
 
Thanks guys,

The thing is I know that he needs the money. He struggles financially but he has a huge heart and is so so kind that its just not right letting him look after Cropi for 3 weeks for no money. A present just doesn't seem enough. I have told him that I am going to pay him, no matter what he says!!

The girl who used to look after her for me was very reasonable and I had no qualms about her costs at all, I just want to make sure that I pay him a fair 'wage'
 
I pay £10 per hour for my helper to do mine but would have to pay more if I wanted two visits. If no travelling then I'd say a tenner would make it worthwhile
 
If he won't take money, can't you reciprocate in kind and look after his horses when he has to go away or something? And/or what about presenting him with a delivery of hay and/or feed to the value of what you think it would have cost you. I know I wouldn't feel happy about accepting money if it was a yard friend of mine I was doing the favour for, but hay/feed/shavings is a different matter!
 
I'm a freelance groom, and I know I do this as a job rather than as a favour for someone but I certainly wouldn't do what you want for less than £20.......and I already have people booking me up for February half term, as well as my "regulars"!
 
I got paid £200 by a friend for looking after her horse for 3 weeks - I skipped out the shelter, field, changed rugs and fed.

It wasn't agreed she'd pay me, she put it inside an envelope with a thank you card and put that inside the box with the present she'd also got me.

I'd not push the issue, when you get back, give him the money (in a card with a small gift perhaps) so there isn't the awkward moment. He'll either return it or keep it!!

I'd say the rate you were paying is pretty reasonable!
 
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