The appeal of a working life flitting from yard to yard, meeting many, many new horses (and people of course!) is understandable but is this perception realistic?  This article attempts to give you an overview of freelance grooming – the ins and outs and pros and cons in a nutshell…

There is often confusion surrounding employment status, with “Freelance Grooms” being treated as employees, and employees being made responsible for their own Income Tax and National Insurance. The legal ramifications can be detrimental to BOTH parties, so it’s essential that everyone is clear on the work agreement and arrangement they have.

On the whole, Freelance Grooms use the same equipment as any other groom, but Freelance Grooms often have to provide and maintain much of this themselves! The equipment a Freelance Groom has can impact their earning capacity, and their appeal to potential clients. Things to consider…

All jobs have their ups and downs of course, and working as a Freelance Groom is no different. We talk with Freelance Grooms all the time who wouldn’t choose to work any other way. We also talk with those who have got themselves into a real old pickle. For those considering freelancing as a career pathway, you should consider the following…

Adequate and appropriate insurance is essential to those both employed and self-employed, it isn’t a “nice to have”.  Accidents happen around horses and sometimes they have repercussions that we don’t think of or are simply unprepared for. Insurance cover for Freelance Grooms is an allowable business expense and can be offset against your taxable income.

Many Freelance Grooms don’t earn the money they potentially could, for a variety of reasons. The responsibilities of working on a freelance basis are varied, and not just centered on turning up on time and doing a decent job; there are many layers of responsibility that are the foundation of a successful freelance business. We give inspiration on broadening your skill set and the services you can offer to increase your earning potential as a Freelance Groom.

Administration and bookkeeping might not be something that springs to mind when setting up as a Freelance Groom, yet it is the foundation of your business. You will need to keep a diary for logging past and future bookings, a system for invoicing, you will need to maintain bookkeeping, and you will need to submit tax returns. Knowing what and how to maintain your bookkeeping is paramount to your businesses ongoing success.

Managing the lows of Freelance Grooming There are highs and lows of all types of work with horses, but working as a Freelance Groom can present different challenges to an employed role in the equine industry. Here we can help you deal with and/or prepare for the lows of Freelance Grooming to some extent. That being said, life is apt to throw curveballs that sometimes no one can foresee. Planning ahead for such times will help you to survive and thrive whilst seeing you through the lows of Freelance Grooming as best you can. Here are some common lows that you could find yourself in, along with suggestions about how you might actively minimise these associated risks: I'm struggling to: get enough clients/ hours to maintain a livable income... This is a common low of freelance grooming (and all kinds of freelance work, for that matter). There will inevitably be times that work is thin on the ground, possibly seasonally, through weather conditions, even the general financial climate at a given time (or, as in recent years, a global pandemic!). Therefore, it's extremely important to build and ringfence your own "rainy day" fund, so as time passes you have some financial fall-back to see you through those quieter times. Not enough new customers are getting to hear about me... How are you advertising your availability? How do local/target yards know about you and your availability? Word of mouth is a great way to get work, but that alone is rarely enough to build up and maintain enough work to provide you with a liveable income. Having your own website is an extremely useful tool for a Freelance Groom but rarely comes without significant charges. A Facebook Page is a great free addition or even an alternative to a website. THE GROOMS LIST is the key place to advertise your services and availability. What's more, these services to Freelance Grooms are completely FREE OF CHARGE. Your would-be clients more often than not, will look on THE GROOMS LIST for local or speciality Freelance Grooms, and will then contact them directly. If you and your services are not listed, you could be missing opportunities!  You can ensure you are on that list by adding and updating your free listing. Additionally, when you are struggling to get bookings, or you have availability to fill, you can contact us and we will help you promote and target your services either with one-off opportunities or via regular gigs, again completely free of charge. You have a lot to gain and absolutely nothing to lose by advertising on THE GROOMS LIST! You can find out more about our services to Freelance Grooms here. Add your business listing to THE GROOMS LIST here. Are your prices competitive? Can you expand your skill set and maximise your appeal and earning capacity?  If you are struggling to get bookings, or finding that clients are not rebooking you, the first thing to check is your pricing. Are you pricing yourself out