Pricing for Grooms

Hey - does anyone out there groom for fee? I have been harnessed (pun intended) into grooming by members of my barn, and they offer to pay me, but I don't have a clue what to charge for various jobs. What do people typically charge for:
braiding?
body clipping?
general care, bathing, tacking, etc for a show?

thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on October 18, 2009 at 11:28pm

I am accustomed to national shows and their prices, so here are the numbers that come to mind...

A full body clip of a really hairy horse is over $100.
Braiding: Does $30 sound about right?
For a show, I would charge by the day. Depends on how long you will be with the horse and what you will be doing. Not less than $100 for braiding, bathing, tacking, mucking, feeding. Too low? Too high? Depends on the type of show as well. Fees for a schooling show would be different than fees for a national show. Also, it depends on how many classes the rider is going in.

Hope this is somewhat helpful!

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Permalink Reply by Mary McGuire Smith on October 18, 2009 at 11:50pm

Yes, Barbara is right. Fees do vary by state somewhat, and by level/rating of show a lot! But generally, Barbara's pricing for body clipping and braiding is pretty correct for the going rate here (in FL). For being the show groom, $100.00 per day would be if it were doing everything for 1-2 horses, from beginning to end (which could mean 4am to 10pm), and no motel room. "Professional" show grooming is grueling work for not much compensation...but it gives you one heck of an education!! I usually ask one of the students to do it in trade for lessons (and I provide the transportation and meals), and they are wonderful! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Lynsey Steinberg on October 19, 2009 at 10:55am

We charge 20 for braiding, sew braiding not rubber banding.

Probably if you go to show and handle horse for them, as well as braid and general care, I would charge 50. If you clip the horse than at least 75.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa D on October 21, 2009 at 6:43pm

1 day groom who preps horses, lunges, bathes as needed, etc $100 a day.

Braiding 40 a mane, 25 a tail, 5 for a fake.
Body clipping Full clip 180

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Permalink Reply by L on October 21, 2009 at 8:25pm

Thanks everyone! Your replies have been most helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah at HorseJobs.ca on October 22, 2009 at 11:00am

$100/day seems to be the going rate for a show groom as advertised on our website. I agree with the fees that are described here - they all seem about average.

Sarah
www.HorseJobs.ca