Is this the sort of thing a freelance groom would do?

nikicb

nikicb

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I have to confess to not really enjoying hacking unless it is a social thing with friends. Part of that is because we have rubbish hacking immediately on our doorstep but I can and do box to some amazing hacking.

I have two to exercise so was thinking that I could box somewhere with both of them say once a week, meet a freelance groom and get both of them done in the time it normally takes me to ride one. Do you think this is something a freelancer would want to do? I don't want a sharer and most of my friends have got their own horses to exercise. I'd really rather pay someone to do it as a 'business' arrangement. How much should I expect to pay? I would be looking for someone midweek within school hours and would expect then to be someone experienced and would get references. Do you think it could work? Does anyone else have a similar arrangement?

Thanks :)
 
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I wish I lived near you! I feel exactly the same about hacking due to the same constraints and I have two pretty sharp 6 year olds.

Do you fancy moving to Kent ;)
 
nikicb said:
I wouldn't really want to do this. One of the horses is pretty new and only just turned 5 and although he is very well mannered I just don't want to be in the middle of nowhere (we rarely meet people on our hacks) on my own with two horses.
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ok, im sure someone would be happy to hack out with you, I would try advertising first before resorting to paying someone?
 
all about Romeo said:
ok, im sure someone would be happy to hack out with you, I would try advertising first before resorting to paying someone?
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Thanks. :) You may be right, but at the risk of sounding like a grumpy person, I would really like it to be a business arrangement. I already have a young girl come and ride one of the ponies which is great, but it takes me longer than it would to do it myself sometimes. :rolleyes: It would be lovely if someone experienced just wanted to come and ride without paying them, but I have a feeling they may be hard to find.
 
I'm sure there would be people out there willing to do so.

May be worth advertising at racing yards, if they dont have days off in order to ride and earn so more money chances are they know somebody who would.
 
SillySausage said:
I'm sure there would be people out there willing to do so.

May be worth advertising at racing yards, if they dont have days off in order to ride and earn so more money chances are they know somebody who would.
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That's a great idea - I'm near Lambourn and go that way sometimes to hack so it could work even if they didn't have transport. TBH if I never hacked again in my life it wouldn't bother me, but it's good for the horses, so needs must. :o
 
I've done this as one of my horses won't hack alone so I need someone else to ride one for me. I paid £7ph but she passes my house on her way to other jobs so no extra petrol. I've also paid for my instructor to ride with me when I've wanted issues to be resolved out hacking which is schooling so I paid more.
It's much easier to pay someone if it's a regular thing and then they will ride when and how you want. I have friends who will ride one of mine out with me but like you it's hard to find someone do that on weekdays.
I think alot of freelance grooms would be happy to ride rather than muck out etc.
 
Yes grooms would be happy to ride if you were paying, I have paid ones in the past, most see it as a huge bonus getting to ride and being paid.
I would pay what you would pay per hour for the riding. I used to pay a bit more but was happy to have company when needed.
 
LynH said:
I've done this as one of my horses won't hack alone so I need someone else to ride one for me. I paid £7ph but she passes my house on her way to other jobs so no extra petrol. I've also paid for my instructor to ride with me when I've wanted issues to be resolved out hacking which is schooling so I paid more.
It's much easier to pay someone if it's a regular thing and then they will ride when and how you want. I have friends who will ride one of mine out with me but like you it's hard to find someone do that on weekdays.
I think alot of freelance grooms would be happy to ride rather than muck out etc.
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Thanks. :) The bit in bold is key to me. I want it done on my own terms. :)

splash30 said:
Yes grooms would be happy to ride if you were paying, I have paid ones in the past, most see it as a huge bonus getting to ride and being paid.
I would pay what you would pay per hour for the riding. I used to pay a bit more but was happy to have company when needed.
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Thanks, that's really useful. :)
 
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Try putting an advert in the shop in Great Shefford. We did this when needing some weekend help. Had a good response, lots of ex racing staff in the area, small and light!
 
You should have no problem finding someone who rides for a living to do this for you.

It depends a bit on what you want to pay and what's involved. I ride quite a few horses for people, some but not all, students of mine. In most cases there is an element of training so they pay my regular schooling rates. That said, I do regular clients a bulk rate. :)

I also know a few people who don't teach but riding is the bulk of their business. Often they'll do a few lots for a racing trainer, or fit hunters/show horses, mixed in with single clients to make it viable.
 
I know we spoke about this when we rode together the other day, agree with what someone else said about someone in racing as they usually do split shifts so would have time early afternoon. I know someone actually who may be interested if you wanted me to ask?
I'll be giving myself every Tuesday off work from January onwards so I could help then if you haven't found anyone? Would be nice to ride a horse that did what it was told for once! ;-) x
 
When I was freelance I would have done this.

I charged £15/horse to hack and £25 to school, and wouldn't want to be on longer than an hour. If there were a few to do in one place I'd charge £10 and £20.

I was always very busy at that price but I'm sure it varies to the area :)
 
as springer said if you are paying someone to ride for you it will invalidate your own insurance, and they will need to have their own commercial insurance cover in place. bhs/be/bs/rider policies will not be valid as they are doing this for financial gain.
 
Shivvy said:
Nicki I would try local showing yards too as that's where I found my groom who is BHSAI and happy to give the odd lesson , muck out and hack out as required.
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floradora said:
Try putting an advert in the shop in Great Shefford. We did this when needing some weekend help. Had a good response, lots of ex racing staff in the area, small and light!
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TarrSteps said:
You should have no problem finding someone who rides for a living to do this for you.

It depends a bit on what you want to pay and what's involved. I ride quite a few horses for people, some but not all, students of mine. In most cases there is an element of training so they pay my regular schooling rates. That said, I do regular clients a bulk rate. :)

I also know a few people who don't teach but riding is the bulk of their business. Often they'll do a few lots for a racing trainer, or fit hunters/show horses, mixed in with single clients to make it viable.
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Thanks - some great suggestions there which I will look at. :)

patterdale said:
When I was freelance I would have done this.

I charged £15/horse to hack and £25 to school, and wouldn't want to be on longer than an hour. If there were a few to do in one place I'd charge £10 and £20.

I was always very busy at that price but I'm sure it varies to the area :)
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zaminda said:
I've done this sort of thing for people, and depending on how long they want to be out for charge roughly £15 a session.
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Those rates sound fair. From my point of view I will be saving on diesel as well by getting a 2-for-1 deal. :)

springer1021 said:
I used to do it, just make sure they have their own PL insurance as yours will be invalid if money is exchanging hands.
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ofcourseyoucan said:
as springer said if you are paying someone to ride for you it will invalidate your own insurance, and they will need to have their own commercial insurance cover in place. bhs/be/bs/rider policies will not be valid as they are doing this for financial gain.
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Thank you - an excellent point. I would assume that most professional riders would have their own PI, but I will make sure they do. :)

Irishbabygirl said:
I know we spoke about this when we rode together the other day, agree with what someone else said about someone in racing as they usually do split shifts so would have time early afternoon. I know someone actually who may be interested if you wanted me to ask?
I'll be giving myself every Tuesday off work from January onwards so I could help then if you haven't found anyone? Would be nice to ride a horse that did what it was told for once! ;-) x
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Yes, and please don't think I am discounting you, we can still do it. But I know you have your two boys and your little munchkin to deal with, so don't want to impinge on your free time too much. And if I get Raff fitter by hacking him more we can do that long ride we talked about in the Spring!! :)

Ahrena said:
Hi,
I've sent you a PM (or tried to!) but my iPad is playing up, did you receive it?
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Received, thank you. Looks very interesting - will be in touch. :)
 
personal insurance is very different to commercial insurance. they need 3rd party commercial public liability insurance and personal accident insurance is advised. that way if your horse sits on a car when they are riding their liability insurance covers them. if they break a leg in the incident then their accident insurance pays them to be off work. and really they also need 3 c liability as if your horse breaks his leg whilst under their control then they are covered to recommence you his retail value!
 
ofcourseyoucan said:
personal insurance is very different to commercial insurance. they need 3rd party commercial public liability insurance and personal accident insurance is advised. that way if your horse sits on a car when they are riding their liability insurance covers them. if they break a leg in the incident then their accident insurance pays them to be off work. and really they also need 3 c liability as if your horse breaks his leg whilst under their control then they are covered to recommence you his retail value!
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Thank you - I hadn't realised this. I'll check it out and also have a chat with my insurers as well to make sure all bases are covered.
 
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