Holiday Help

Whenever we get to this time of year, it’s time to start thinking about putting your horses and yard in safe hands while you’re away.

Whether you’re on a smallholding with two or three horses on your property, or run a full-time livery yard, you want someone you can trust to care for your horses as if they were their own. You’ll want peace of mind that things are taken care of and running smoothly in your absence, so bringing in temporary staff you trust is of paramount importance.

Finding help

Most yards need temporary grooms to help over the holidays so that the full-time grooms can enjoy some well-deserved time off. Bigger yards may be looking for a temporary stable manager and possibly work riders as well. There’s no better recommendation to go on than testimonies of close friends or colleagues who know the horsey business. Network with your personal circle of trusted friends or contacts, or speak to your vet for a recommendation, and you are likely to be referred to someone reliable. Ask your source where they found the temp and what kind of work they were expected to do, as well as their general feedback about the person’s work. If you’re looking for a groom, ask your most reliable groom if he knows of a dependable temp who might fit the role of overlooking the day-to-day running of the yard while you’re away.

Make sure they fit