What would be reasonable?

T

Top Hat

Member
Joined
2 August 2010
Messages
14
Visit site
I've been looking after my yard [3 of my own horses, and 5 liveries plus 4 out ponies]] on my own with some local help. However, I'm now faced with having to look after my sick husband almost full time and think I need to employ someone to do the yardwork instead of me. I'll be on hand for advice and in emergencies, but I'll mostly be acting as a carer.

Can I have some advice? What would be considered a fair number of horses for a 'groom' or stable person to look after on a daily basis: Turn out, bring in, muck out [usually wood pellet on rubber mats], hay, water, feed, and generally keep the yard tidy and running well. Some rug changing although not much. Being on hand to assist farrier or vet when necessary.

I know when we do our own, we work ourselves to the limit, but I have no idea what to ask another person to do without them running a mile!

Thanks to all who can help!
 
8 in horses, and a couple out is not a large number for one person to do. Theoretically 8 horses can be fed, mucked out and turned out within a few hours.
 
However what's going to happen when the groom needs to go on holiday and has two days off a week or gets injured and can't work .
I have four horses and use two freelance grooms covering seven days a week
They organise their days and the hours vary according to what I need them for
Although the work is different with me as it includes handyman type tasks for the one whose very good and enjoys that sort of work and working with me on training the horse for the one who likes that sort of work .
They also do exercising grooming trimming bathing tack cleaning caring for the transport and help with paddock management .
The work you describe sounds repetitive and fairly boring and that something you have to work on when choosing the best person .
In your circumstance reliability is going to be key and you will need a plan to cover times when the grooms not there .
If you are able to give management time then someone you need to train is a possibility .
 
TTK said:
Old school answer. When I was a groom in the 1960s, we always had a maximum of 5 horses - all in - to look after.
Click to expand...

When I started we did three or four once experienced however we did everything not just the basics .
 
When I did livery I found 12 a struggle, especially in winter (a mix of in and out), but 10 was more 'do-able' if not required to exercise.
 
When I was a polo groom, I would feed, hay, water, muck out, groom, plait, tack up 13 horses for 10am. I think 8 in and a few out would be a doddle for one person.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top