groom fees, what to charge?

[Polish]

Can anyone provide some insight on the going rate for eventing day grooms? Specifically clients with multiple horses at one show... whats fair to charge? We're talking recognized shows, braiding, trimming, turn-out, cool-out all three phases, bandaging, etc in a semi-pro situation.

I'm an experienced groom, have been in the industry, ws exp with advanced level rider, CCI** and CCI*** grooming exp, etc. My rate schedule is set mainly for 1 horse situations but i've been running into the multi-horse scenario lately and am not sure how to charge reasonably.

Also for overnights: per horse/per day?

[SkipChange]

Eventing grooms? Might want to post this on the eventing board instead of the H/J board.

[fancyfooted]

I always charged a flat fee per day when multiple horses are there. For one horse it might be different, but *shrug*. I'm a "per day" type of person! I'm not sure what the going rate it these days, but I'd wager it's somewhere between $125-150 per day. Less if you have fewer horses, more if you have more.

[JinxyFish313]

I'd say $150 per day for one horse, maybe $125/day per horse when there are multiple horses. Are you feeding and doing stalls for overnights? That would bring the fee up a bit.

When I was a kid I used to do all of that (minus the braiding) for $50/pony, + tip ;)

[toomanyponies]

I know the going rate for day grooms in CA for hunters is 50/day/per horse and grooms usually do 3 or 4 horses. In our area we pay a flat fee of 100/day for a groom. This does not include tips, which is about 20/horse.

[Mach Two]

For eventing, I was getting 100.00 a day about 12-15 years ago for handling 3 horses at a 3 day event, plus my travel expense, lodging and meals. I would, if I were still doing that, get 175 to 200 nowdays (horses usually won best turnout when I prepped them).
But certainly, if all the horses are stabled together, it is reasonable to take 150.00 plus lodging and travel, and some meals are a help. The mother of the event rider I helped the most would just head off when she sensed the rider and I needed to eat and bring us back something good.
Hunter grooms are a different thing, they work hard, but they are usually not braiding, and they do not need to know how to run a vet box, etc.

[Hollendrew]

A lot. That is what you charge. A lot.

Years ago I charged $100 per day per horse plus expenses. Braiding is extra. Exhausting work, and I love it!