Setting Up as a Freelance Groom

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teachme

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I want to set up as a freelance groom so looking for any advice please.

Have struggled majorly to find other employment which suits my needs so hoping doing some freelance stuff will fit in around competing my 2, and the 2 days a week i work for my trainer, but wondering how easy it is to set up?

Any dos/donts?

What do I need to get insurance wise?

What sort of prices should I be charging?


Am based in Essex - mainly looking at doing morning/evening turnout/muckout, holiday cover, that sort of thing, rather than full days, can clip but no current clippers of own, happy to school/hack etc.


Eventually want to set up my own buying and selling/competing business so thinking this may be a good stepping stone as huge lack of funds! and to see if its really what i want to do.

Thanks in advance
 
I use a freelance sometimes. Last weekend she had to turnout 2 on Friday morning, remove droppings from stable and put 1 rug on. Fetch in at night, change one rug, feed is measured out so only has to put in bowl and damp, feed hay, fill waterbuckets. Did the same Saturday morning and evening and put more hay to soak read for me on Sunday morning.

For this she charged £24.00. It wouldn't have taken her too long as she only lives a couple of miles away and I only expect her to remove droppings, not to muck out the stable completely.

Most of her work is clipping. She also looks after horses if people are away on holiday, for up to 2 weeks sometimes, plaits and turns out for important competitions, showing, etc. and used to help with breaking and schooling and riding racehorses. She always seemed to have plenty of work. I couldn't have managed my life without her help!

She gets a bit fed up with some clients about clipping though. You defintely need good insurance as there is a good chance you will get injured at some stage and be off work.

It is word of mouth, getting yourself known and giving a good service.
 
You will need clippers, as they will become a mainstay in winter and standing chatting while you're clipping a horse is a great way of networking. Also if you get asked to clip on a yard then word of mouth etc etc. A good set of clippers will be a fantastic investment, I have Wolsely ones which have paid for themselves many times over.

In summer it's a good idea to concentrate on being a travelling groom so people can hire you for a days competing. Charge £100+ per day depending on the area/competition etc.

In winter exercising hunters will be a good 'bread and butter' along with your clipping and depending on how many you have to do in one place and how far away etc i charge £10+ per horse.

Personally I would stay away from the daily turning out etc because it doesn't pay enough and you waste time when you could be riding or teaching for more money. Also it's a tie and stops you taking on other stuff.

I would do holiday cover though, and I charge by the task not by the hour as I'm a quick worker and you get more that way, so charge say £5 per stable mucked out, £2 turn out etc.

If you teach that's a great earner too.

I did this for a while before riding and teaching took over completely and it's good fun but VERY hard work. You have to be available any time, work all hours and every day until you have a good name for yourself.

Horsey women can be awful and you still have to be nice because you don't want to give anyone an excuse to slate you!

It's well worth it tho once u get going.

Sorry for the massive post, hope it helps.

Please note prices are APPROXIMATE you are in a very different area to me and so much depends on the job, horses etc.
(also if people are rude to me I stick an extra few quid on the bill mentally. It helps you to smile!)
 
I am insured with SEIB, i am also a member of the british grooms asscoiation (i took the "full" membership which includes "personal accident" cover with SEIB). As far as i am aware you need to have "care, custody and control" insurance if you intend to clip horses (cant remember the reason!!!).

The British Grooms Assoc. also allows you to advertise yourself on their website.

I also advertise in local shops/feed merchants/chippy etc. I made an advert on Word, it will do for now!!

Best of luck :)
 
Ps income protection insurance is a must as you will get hurt. Will cost you but it's vital really.

It's all word of mouth so always do what you say you will, when you say you will and never talk about clients horses/yards behind their backs - if people trust you you'll get loads of work :)

Good luck!
 
For holiday cover work, you will get lots more if you can also look after the family dogs and even livestock like sheep and goats. Partly because if the dogs can stay at home and not go to kennels that means a big saving which helps to pay for the horse sitter.

I am using a horsesitter three times a day at the mo after a major operation and she is fantastic, calm, level headed and caring. You def need that temperament as since she started helping the older horse threw his 'Im going to get colic' act and the dog came down with heart problems....:-O
 
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