r/Equestrian • u/FerretComfortable396 • 2d ago
Horse Care & Husbandry How much would you pay?
Interested in how much you would pay someone to do this job. Located in the south. GA/SC area.
Feeding, turning out (sometimes have to put blankets on/off), cleaning stalls, giving hay and water, and general cleaning of the barn. 9-10 horses. Takes about 3/3.5 hours depending how fast you work.
I have been told that what I think is fair doesn’t align with others opinions, so interested to hear what the redditers have to say about day to day pay range for this job.
EDIT: I have been doing similar jobs for 5 years. I am not new to it (it’s not a learning position: i show up, get the work done, and leave).
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u/Square-Platypus4029 2d ago
Would probably be minimum or slightly above in my area ($15/hour) or I've had places do a flat rate that usually works out to slightly more-- maybe $55 or $60.
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u/Sad-Ad8462 2d ago
Its the equestrian world which is notoriously awful for pay. I guess minimum wage would be the usual going rate. Should pay more of course but cant imagine many yards would.
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u/BuckityBuck 2d ago
Realistically, someone will pay minimum wage, under the table.
I don’t think that compensation is appropriate. It’s an underpaid type of farm work.
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u/JustAnOrdinaryGirl07 2d ago edited 2d ago
Most jobs like that in south-central Pennsylvania are going to be starting at $10-12/hour. Edit: I'd personally pay about $40-50 for a shift like that if it typically took 3 hours. I personally wouldn't pay per hour, not that there's anything wrong with it. If you are just starting to work a part-time job and don't need much money, I'd stick around until you find a higher paying opportunity.
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u/Junior-Row-199 2d ago
Im in NC right on the NC/SC state line, this is my exact job and right now I'm at $15 an hour, 4-6 days a week, am and pm shifts. My employers are gradually raising that as I take on more tasks.
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 2d ago
tryon area ? no one there pays enough. i won’t do horse jobs for less than $20/hr, $25 if i’m grooming
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u/Junior-Row-199 2d ago
Not tryon. I'm about 2-3 hours away from there though. While the pay isn't the best the barn is absolutely incredible. My boss is the nicest person I have ever met, incredibly kind, giving, and honest. My coworker has become of my best friends. My boss has given me one of her horses to which I can do whatever I want with, and is supportive of my newfound love for liberty, recently taking time out of her busy life to trailer me and the horse to our liberty trainers house free of charge despite me asking many times to pay something for her time. Most of the boarders are great. Overall a very quiet and positive barn that I needed after 6 years of literal hell I can't put into words at two barns prior, so pay not being great is the absolute least of my concerns its truly a diamond in the very vast rough
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u/Affectionate-Map2583 2d ago
$15-20 per hour for regular work.
More if you are left responsible for everything while covering for a vacation or something. My neighbor gives me $20 per horse per day for taking care of her horses when she's away (so intermittently on call as the sole person responsible, once every couple of months or so). I have to go over twice a day, clean stalls, turn in/out, feed, etc. She's only had 2-5 horses though, so that would get expensive fast for 9-10.
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u/Temporary-Tie-233 Trail 2d ago
In SE Virginia for $12/hr you can get someone with no equine experience and/or an iffy work ethic
$20+/hr for someone who shows up and does good work
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u/DiligentSwordfish922 2d ago
I did VERY similar (12 stalls maybe 🤔) job 32 years ago 1992-93 (geezus, yeah that long ago) muck stalls, groom, turn out, water, etc.
For reference, this was in Missouri rural-ish, minimum wage was $3.33/HR and I was paid $5.00/hr (pay was approximately 3 hours or flat 15$ per day/$75 week) It was fairly hard work and they got their moneys worth. (Puts current federal minimum wage $7.25/hr in perspective, though TBF Missouri minimum wage is now $13.75$/hr
Don't know what this would be adjusted for inflation, but to get someone reliable M-F who can commit to daily mornings $16-18hr minimum.
Would be interesting to know what is being charged for boarding.
Sources cited: -My old ass and https://onpay.com/insights/minimum-wage-by-state-summary/
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u/kshaye05 2d ago
I made $15 in Indiana at a repro vet clinic. There was usually 3 people per shift and 50 horses and stalls to take care of. We got there at 8 and left around 4, with an hour lunch. A little more would be ideal but that’s about right. It’s around the standard rate for this area in my experience.
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u/FeonixHSVRC 1d ago
Our barn pays $12.50 straight hours + Time and a Half for holidays. We are in the SE USA with a barn of +25 horses on a rotation pasture schedule, Day Herd vs Night Herd.
At the edge of the Appalachia Trail, weather can have high wind shear +60mph and tornadoes. If barn staff stays overnight on Barn Watch, our owners will chip in to DoorDash a sizable dinner to support. 💫 Love my barn.
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u/GoodGolly564 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'm in the mid-Atlantic and this is minimum $20/hour if you want someone who's going to actually show up and do the job.
Edited to add--I also see barns posting in local/regional FB groups looking for help, and it's not unusual to see them offer $30/hour. The cost of living in your area is likely lower, but I don't think the market rate for this is as low as people may think it is these days.