What’s happening with your horses on Christmas Day and New Years’ Day – let’s think about it now because nobody likes surprises.There are so many different arrangements – these are just a few that might look familiar to you:
- Full Livery – no difference in monthly bill. The staff working are paid extra but, in a genius flash of forward planning, the yard owner includes the additional daily rate in costs which are then spread, seamlessly, across the years’ billing.
- Full Livery – double fee agreed for these two days so it will be on my bill as two extra items, one in December and one in January – it’s in my contract.
- DIY – doing it myself as normal.
- Part DIY – I’ll book additional services, the yard is clear about daily costs and bank holiday costs.
- Part DIY – I’ve booked a trusted groom to cover the two Bank Holidays for me.
Debates usually begin around half term about expectations and possible surprises with livery costs and services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
It always seems most difficult when the situation isn’t clear, either in a contract or a discussion. Christmas arrangements that come as a surprise aren’t a good surprise. Grooms, hard-working little elves that they are, will be paid more for these days, and it can either be factored into annual livery costs with no surprises on the bill in January, or there’s an extra Bank Holiday rate applied that will be billed as agreed.
If you’re not clear about what’s happening on these days, please check your contract or check with your Yard Owner. Grooms working on these days are traditionally paid double (and take home half their weight in minced pies and shortbread) – quite right too! Let’s avoid any miscommunication about how these days are paid.
