Charging the Groom rather than paying the Groom

[PottyLotty]

For 9 years I worked at various Hunt/Eventing yards and I left my last position when I had my first child.

I recently decided to advertise myself as a part time groom in a local tack shop and because my children are now at school I suggested I would be ideal for someone who is at college/university who has little time during school terms to look after their horse.

I was contacted by a student who was at university who wanted her horse keeping fit and looking after while she was away at uni so she would be able to come home at weekends and compete. I liked her, she seemed interested in using my services until I mentioned money where she told me I should pay her £45 per week towards the cost of her livery. I explained she pays me to look after her horse not the other way round and she got very cross saying I had wasted her time, and that I had got it wrong because no-one pays for a groom its the groom/rider who pays her to use her horse. She has now told everyone she knows that im a timewaster and I have had no further enquiries.

What has happened in the 10 years I have been away from the industry? When I left it was not unusual for someone to pay for a groom to look after their horses. Surely people still employ grooms to cover their working days/holidays etc ? I have looked through the usual channels but all the posts are miles away and full time and I cant commit to that due to having small children.

Is it so unusual ? Am I missing something ?

You might find it better to look for horse sitters job or animal sitting jobs. They make a fortune.

I only know one person who pays someone to come and exercise her horses ,I think most people just try to find a sharer who will contribute to the cost . TBH there are usually no problems finding someone to share so why would you pay someone ? This girl obviously misunderstood your ad and thought you were looking for a share ,was your ad in any way ambiguous ? Either way I don't think you will get many takers in the current economic climate , also are you qualified as the person my friend pays is a qualified instructor and I don't think she would have employed her otherwise .

was your advert quite clear that you were looking for groom's work, and not a share?
i wonder if it would be worth splashing out on a proper ad in Horse and Hound?
With nine years' experience be careful not to undersell yourself!

sounds like confusion between a loaner and a paid groom.
she may have been given your number by someone who didn't make it clear (as to me groom means you pay the person). I think I'd have said to her "I'm sorry if there is some confusion but my advert was for my services as a groom. I wasn't looking for a loan arrangement" your post sounds like you may have been annoyed at her as well (may be just how I read it).
I'd remove the ad for a little while and then re-advertise making it clear what you are offering (which you may have thought you did and she may be at fault for presuming you were looking to loan her horse and pay towards it's keep).
I do think people will pay for a groom as loan agreements can go wrong and loaners can have their own idea about what they want and what the horse needs. where as a groom should be following the owners wishes exactly as they are being paid for a job. (though both can go brilliantly well or be disastrous!)
If I could afford it (and if I was back up to 4 horses over the winter) I would look for a groom.
If I didn't mind other people on my property using the school on the days they were loaning etc I would look for a loan (especially for the little pony as she would do really well for a beginner child). My only worries are that I'd have to get used to people around more, so If I was having a break/lie in/afternoon nap (yeah right I can dream!) then I may get disturbed and have other people with children around and I'd have to ensure I was happy with what they were doing (As I write this I've decided I sound like a right misery guts!)
I have also paid a sitter when away for a long weekend last winter. she looked after all 4 horses, 3 dogs, 2 cats and could also do chickens etc. it's not cheep (but she also stays at your house if you want her to) it worked for me for a short break. But in summer I can find a friend to stay and look after the dogs and next door will watch the horses and feed the chickens. much better price wise!
I think you'd do well offering both.
Maybe set up a facebook site that states clearly your capabilities and experience, insurance etc. have forms that people can fill in for their horses routine and what they want. your prices for different circumstances (one visit a day, muck out or living out, exercise etc etc) or at least the different type of services you offer. any distance that beyond you would add milage fee? It wont cost you anything to do and you could post it on all the local horsey facebook sites.don't worry about what's happened just take a deep breath and start again. make it clear on any adverts in horsey shops for example 'competitive hourly rate or package deal arranged' 'holiday cover starting from £... a day/weekend
good luck with it all

It does sound as if there was some miscommunication.
Mind you, I think £45 a week sounds an awful lot to pay someone to.share a horse that they were then going to compete on! Surely if you were going to pay that you would just get your own horse?

Thanks for your replies.

Im not sure she actually read my advert as it clearly stated I was offering groom services for various rates dependant on the service required and that I am insured with references. I also listed my BHSAI qualifications and various other Horse care qualifications. She didnt say but I am assuming someone passed her my number but not the full details.

I like the idea of a facebook page. I hadnt thought of that. I will give that a go.

Pottylotty- I waffled that much I'm surprised you got to that bit good luck with it
Offer reduction or a prize of a free extra day to one person for when you reach 200 shares or likes etc, you only need to pull out one name for the prize but it means your page will get passed around loads as people share

Let us know and we will like your page

She has Mis-understood. There are a number of people at our large stables who pay people to exercise/school their horse.
If your small then lots get children's ponies ridden by a small adult to do schooling , which the kids are not capable of.......

Just put it behind you.

Ps - £45 it a lot (as a sharer) if it involves mucking out etc - I pay that but dhorse in in full livery, so I don't have any if that

I didnt realise it would be so different. We employed a groom when I was at school and we paid her, it never crossed my mind anyone would want me to pay them.

Im going to contact some animal sitters to see if they have anything I can do and im going to place an advert in one of the magazines. If I get nothing suitable then a facebook page will be my next option.

Im sure as the weather gets colder more people will be tempted with the option of an ad hoc groom .

Thanks for all your advice.

gosh - she obviously got the wrong end of the stick pottylotty of course people would pay a groom!!

how about advertising on yard and groom
www.yardandgroom.com/

and see if you get any response there?

Good Luck!

I pay a lady to muck out and bring in my horses and do the odd job for me. She works locally as a freelance groom (which is maybe the wording you should use) and does a number of small yards in the area. From talking to her she is run off her feet all winter then house sits etc. in the summer. I pay her £10 an hour as a minimum then £2.50 for every 15mins after that. She generally comes to me mid afternoon mucks out and brings my horses in a couple of days a week, depending on my work load and when my mum has dd. I saw an advert in the local saddler, I think once you are established it's word of mouth as I have passed her details onto a couple of others in the area. She is great and going to start riding dd pony in the spring to get him more responsive for the show season.