What would a freelance groom charge to do this?

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Dexter

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Travel to a field, catch up, check over and feed one horse? If it makes any difference its a rising 2 year old ***** bag of a colt who hasnt been handled properly and is food aggressive and a sod to catch. Not mine I hasten to add!

I'm just trying to work out what to charge the lazy bint who doesnt see the need to handle, feed, geld or even check her obnixous colt thats turned out with my youngsters! Apparently its perfectly possible to keep a horse for £40 a month as the other mugs in the field will pay for hay and feed and will look after him!
 
A least £10 a visist plus travel to get there and back @ 35p per mile.
Without sounding condesending if you do the job, I would wear a riding hat to go in the field to feed that aggresive youngster, nothing worse than horses/flying hooves/fighting for food.
 
Well it depends on how long it takes to do. If it's a nuissance to catch and you have to spend a few hours each day chasing it up and down the field you might want to charge by the hour. If it's a 20 minute job you might want to agree a one-off cost for each time you do it as otherwise it wouldn't be cost effective for you.
 
I'm already doing it, have been for 2 months so the handling of him part is fine. I just need to get her to realise that she is being irresponsible and selfish. Hitting her in her pocket is the only way I can think of to do this. Its actually costing me £20 a week to pay someone else to come and help me, as its impossible to manage her colt and 3 other youngsters without help. However I strongly suspect she will kick off, shes already told me I am bullying her as I suggested she rehome him, shes just that kind of person :( I just wanted to make sure that what I 'charged' her was in line with other freelance groom rates :)
 
hi, i have a freelance groom come and do my horses for me when i have to be away for work. I pay her £20/visit, she lives approx 5 miles away, she turnsout, skips out and hays/waters horses, and drops a feed bucket in. there are four stables to do.

however, mine are really well behaved, and easy to bring in, she just has to open the gate and the horses walk the 40ft across the shetties paddock to their stables and wait for the door to be opened :-)) -

i must admit i am extreamly lucky the lady who does them for me is an absolute star !! she does everything for me as i would do, and more ! sometimes there is less to do, as in summer they all live out, however, i still pay the same, i feel its only fair to support her through the summer as well.
 
Fab, thanks for the replies. Communication has broken down with the owner so unfortunately shes going to be billed for all the work I do with him. I just wanted other peoples opinions so I couldnt be accused of over charging etc as I strongly suspect this will get messy!

I worked with horses professionally for 5 years, including as a stud groom for a season and an instructor for 4 years so I have professional experience etc

Would £10 be there or there abouts?
 
I suspect it may be difficult to make the transition into charging her for something that you did for free for 2 years, especially if you are not on very good terms now (not that you don't deserve the money for your work, but that people get complacent and forget that someone is doing them a favour). Can you not discuss this with the YO and find a way you can do your horses without coming into contact with hers and she can sort out her horse by herself?
 
I would ask her to come and help as it is dangerous for you and she has a 'duty of care'. If she can't she should pay your 'helper'.

I have a two year old colt who went through a 'naughty' phase. He has turned into the nicest young horse. He is with two geldings with three mares just an electric fence tape away. Feeding is not a problem. He is very well behaved.
 
Its not my yard, its a rented field. There is no 'yard owner' just a field owner. Its a very messy and difficult situation, that as it stands is no where near a resolution, so I am just trying to find the best way to cope until the damn thing frightens her that much she does the right thing and gets rid of it!
 
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