is there a market for a mobile tack up service

Daisy11

Daisy11

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my partner says i should advertise my self as a mobile tack up service so people wanting to ride after work etc ring or email to say when they are riding i go down groom and tack up horse so that person can come down and just get on a ride , or if people cant make it down to stables because of working late or illness i go down bring in change rugs and fed etc along with other things what do you think would people go for it im not so sure
 
I think there might be scope for a freelance groom to do one off tasks on a mobile self employed basis. A mobile tack up service is a bit specific though, most people, if they can get down to ride will find time to run a brush over and sling the tack on, it is only ten minutes afterall.

The problem would be you'd have to charge rather a lot to make it worth travelling to do these jobs.
 
Without wanting to sound negative, I'd think it more probable that anyone willing to pay for such a service will most likely have their horse in livery where such a service is included, or at additional cost. I agree that you would need to charge quite a high rate if you were to include travel time & costs.

Good luck with it though, I could certainly do with the help but could not afford the cost!
 
My livery yard would do that for me if I wanted, or another livery would do it if I was that pushed for time, so it's not a service I could ever see me using.
 
I'm talking on more of the lines of people that own there own stables or grazing people that don't have other people
 
I think people who simply want to go and ride their horse and not do any of the other duties eg. mucking out etc will keep their horse on full livery. These yards already have grooms who will prepare the horse and help the owner get on. I've heard stories of the owners not even knowing how to tack up.

I really dont think many people who dont keep their horses at livery yards will require a 'tack up' service. They may require holiday/sickness cover for mucking out, riding etc though. I was considering being a mobile groom and I think there is a company called Kirsty's Horses which you can work for.
 
I keep my horses at home, but i would never consider using a service like this - if i haven't got time to brush off and tack up then i haven't got time to ride. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do things my way and would feel the need to check what they had done, so wouldn't save any time anyway :)

That's no comment on you and your skills, just that i'm stupidly fussy about my guys :)

Have you considered the insurance costs by the way? I think they may well eat up any small profit you made after travelling, and then some...
 
Our horses are at home and no we wouldnt use

1) because you would need a house key
2) when the light is fading i have the ability to brush off the important bits and tack up the pony in about 5 mins if necessary and finish off the grooming later.
 
I don't really think you'd get much business for this, it only takes a couple of minutes to grab the horse, tack up and be away. Poo picking I might be interested in...
 
Another who would think no.

For most people that do not have the time for those sorts of jobs, are probably on full or part livery or have a friend to do it for them. I would not trust a stranger with a house/tack room key and as someone said I would be checking how they put my tack on thus not really saving any time.

When time is tight I will only brush off horse quickly and throw on the tack which only takes a few minutes anyway...it's normally getting myself ready that seems to takes ages sometimes!
 
Erm... I would love a service like that. What luxury not to have to trudge down to the field, catch, groom, tack up and change out of muddy wellies and yard coat. If I had my two lined up and ready to go, it would save me time and stop me getting sidetracked into doing other jobs.
I don't have anyone to do those jobs except OH, who has been know to get them ready for me. LOL !
 
I dont think there would be much business for a mobile tack-up service, but definitely for bringing in/mucking out/holiday cover etc. I am moving to a DIY yard soon where there is absolutely no help whatsoever unless one of the other liveries helps out. I would definitely be interested in it for holiday cover/days when I might want to go out and not worry about getting back in time to feed etc....
 
Sorry but no< I don't think there would be a demand for it.

You'd be far better setting up as a freelance groom and looking after people's horses whilst they are on holiday etc. I used to do it but gave it up as I didn't enjoy my own horses after spending all day working with them,i had loads of work though.The majoority of my clients worked but kept their horses at home so I would go in and muck out/ride deal with the farrier and then I had cleints that just used me when they went on their hols.
 
JoJo_ said:
I was considering being a mobile groom and I think there is a company called Kirsty's Horses which you can work for.
Click to expand...

I have used this company and think it's a fab service. Not expensive either. Great if you are on your own and don't have anyone to help you out.
The have franchises you can buy into, so this sort of thing could be an option for you.
 
It's a nice idea, but I wouldn't feel comfortable giving someone I don't know all the yard's security items etc. Plus, if I'm in a rush, I'll just tack up (which takes less than 60 seconds) and then brush him off afterwards. So if I was paying someone to do this, I'd pay them £1 max, and then I doubt your travel costs would be worth that :(
 
I don't think I would have need of this service - I have my horse on part-livery with additional services if necessary for the very reason that my work hours can be unpredictable.

However I do wonder if there is scope for day groom to accompany to shows or even to offer such services at particular events i.e. set up there and advertise services on schedule? I try to get a friend to come with me whenever possible but its not always possible and it can be stressful going on your own especially if you have an excitable horse.
 
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