Teenager poo-picking for pocket pounds

spookypony

spookypony

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(Trying for alliteration.)

There's a local horsey teen looking to do some chores for pocket money, and I'm possibly looking for someone to do some poo-picking. Sounds like a good combo! However, some questions arise:

1. What's the going rate for this sort of thing?

2. Are there any weird legal considerations? I grew up in Canada, and cash-in-hand transactions for minor chores/babysitting were pretty normal, but I have this weird feeling that things are more complicated!

Any help appreciated!
 
Can't comment on the legalities but I paid £5 for a teenager to fill one of my big barrows when I hurt my back. I did take my horses out of the field because one is a bit unpredictable at times, but I think as long as their parents have said it's ok then I'm sure that's fine.
 
spookypony said:
So, basically that means that cash-in-hand chores for kids are a thing of the past?
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I don't think so, I'm 17 & sometimes work at a yard doing pretty much anything inc. riding/mucking out (we don't poo pick...Ireland) and get cash in hand. I've a horse on the yard and over summer I worked to pay off the livery.

If they're only poo picking I guess it depends on the size of the field? It would take a lot longer to fill a barrow on a bug field than it would on a small field so it would make more sense to go by the amount of time it takes them?
 
spookypony said:
So, basically that means that cash-in-hand chores for kids are a thing of the past?
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No it doesnt but you still have responsibility for making sure you are covered if there is an accident . Seems fair to me.

Even if they have their own insurance do you not think their insurance company wont come after you if its likely your negligent.
 
popsdosh said:
No it doesnt but you still have responsibility for making sure you are covered if there is an accident . Seems fair to me.

Even if they have their own insurance do you not think their insurance company wont come after you if its likely your negligent.
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I don't think that "odd jobs for neighbours" counts as "employment" under government regulations; certainly, it's specifically excluded from the need for a work permit. This suggests to me that Employer's Liability is not the correct kind of insurance for this. Perhaps it comes under a Homeowner's policy? It seems to be really difficult to find reliable legal information on the implications of paying a kid to do odd jobs!

Was thinking of getting her to do a paddock twice a week, which basically involves chucking the poos over the fence.
 
Hi can I just say I used to 'work' at a riding center poo picking, grooming, leading and putting people on. YO made our parents sign something to say she was not liable for injuries etc. We were not payed for it though.
 
I think you will be hard pushed to find a modern teenager that will poo pick for pocket money anyway, but I am sure that it would be difficult to be negligent if you have a field safe enough for your horse and the horse is safe or removed from the field at the time. The reason I insisted on their own insurance although I have third party insurance was for my peace of mind. I am not sure a disclaimer is legal anyway
 
spookypony said:
(Trying for alliteration.)

There's a local horsey teen looking to do some chores for pocket money, and I'm possibly looking for someone to do some poo-picking. Sounds like a good combo! However, some questions arise:

1. What's the going rate for this sort of thing?

2. Are there any weird legal considerations? I grew up in Canada, and cash-in-hand transactions for minor chores/babysitting were pretty normal, but I have this weird feeling that things are more complicated!

Any help appreciated!
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That is very nice of you to consider giving this child a job earning money, yes I agree £ 5 per hour but the legality side is unknown territory, but will there be horses in the field when the child is poo picking??? as you must take care they don't get injured in a inquisitive horse comes over
 
I paid my teenage step son £2.50 per normal sized barrow during summer. Took about half an hour per barrow. Paying by the barrow works better I found as stopped him slacking ;)
 
I also depends on how many horses in the field
We have 9 in one field they go out at 7am and in 3.30 and we get just under 2 full barrows a day, so you need to think if you need it done daily or weekly and if you want your fields kept clean or mind some left on the ground.
 
alainax said:
I paid my teenage step son £2.50 per normal sized barrow during summer. Took about half an hour per barrow. Paying by the barrow works better I found as stopped him slacking ;)
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Sounds good in practice Alainax but if you have a big barrow like a 2 wheeler or rutted fields or the fields on a hill a youngster would not be able to fill it up so could only half fill a l barrow and they end up being paid for 4 barrow loads.


I think OP you would need to make sure you had a normal size barrow and one easy to push and maybe plastic like the Hammerline ones, otherwise it would be heavy when full and pushing to a muck hill a distance away.
 
windand rain said:
I am not sure a disclaimer is legal anyway
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There not worth the paper they are written on if you are liable you are liable. Whilst I agree it seems a simple non problematic situation. Its odd circumstances that may make you wish you were covered. For example what happens if said teenager slips with an overloaded barrow and injures themselves it may be argued you had been negligent in not giving training.
30 years ago none of this would have caused a problem however today we have all seen the get rich quick lawyers who would use a disclaimer as a weapon to fight you claiming you only put it forward because you knew the risk.
 
I used to pay 10€ a week per horse to have my field cleared 3x a week by an entrepreneurial teenager. He offered his services to the whole yard and was making approx. 70€ a week!
 
windand rain, the reason the question came up is because a teen in my area posted on a horsey page looking for this sort of gig, and I've been thinking about getting some help for a while.

I need to find out how long it would take the teen to get here (lives in the area, but not sure where, or how they'd travel), and take that into consideration, I think! I can clear a day's poos in about 20 mins, 1/2 hour if wheelbarrow is involved. So even 45 mins twice a week would be a big help.

The ponies would likely be in the paddock, but only one of them is likely to approach, and she's harmless and will soon give up if not fed. It's still a consideration, though, since another pony has in the past kicked when cornered. No danger to someone just sensibly poo-picking, but worth thinking about how to prevent an accident! Lots to think about, clearly!
 
popsdosh said:
Its no good making sure they have their own insurance. You need to be insured as well for employers liability.
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You might not need full employers liability you can get cover which covers window cleaners house cleaners and the like which covers grooming services in the domestic setting which is the cover I have however OP would have to check the position with employing a minor .
 
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