Today’s side hustle idea is that of a barn or horse caretaker. This can cover horse-sitting, house-sitting, farm or ranch care, and the care of other animals. Many large barns do have staff to cover care needs and stable management while the owners or managers are away. BUT, there are MANY small barns and homes that have horses in their backyard, and they may need assistance when leaving for horse shows, work trips, or vacation.[social_warfare buttons=”Facebook,Pinterest,Twitter,Total”]
Before you consider horse or farm sitting, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.
Do you have the experience? Can you recognize problems or illness in horses? Are you able to look for injuries and are capable of handling animals you do not know personally? Most horses are friendly, but there are some that are still “green,” or young and untrained, and others that may be difficult to handle or catch. Knowledge and experience of horses, their care, and their behavior is a must.
Do you have the time? Many horse-sitting or house-sitting jobs may require you to stay at the residence. Are you capable and willing to stay in a stranger’s home and care for their animals? This job can be time-consuming, and if it is a side hustle in addition to your regular job, timing may be tight.
If staying at the residence is NOT a requirement, be aware that you will have to drive at least morning and evenings for stall cleaning, feed, turnout, etc. Some may ask that you visit only once or twice daily, and others may ask for three times or more, depending on how often they get fed or what a turnout or care schedule looks like for the horse. A reliable vehicle and a decent amount of time are needed for travel and chores for each caretaker job.
Horse-Sitting Suggestions
In order to secure good horse-sitting jobs there are a few things you can do to make sure it is a good fit, and that everyone’s needs are being met.
Provide references – Horse owners care about their animals. They don’t want to worry about what is happening at home and if their animals are being fed, etc. while they are away. Providing a few references for them to check with can provide them with a peace of mind. This shows you are experienced, thoughtful, and professional.
Offer a meet-and-greet – This is beneficial to not only the owners but to you as well. Meeting the owners and seeing the animals and property before taking or being offered the job can give you a glimpse of the workload and driving distance. Be polite, friendly, and professional, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Make sure to ask if the owners will leave vet information and phone numbers in case of emergencies
Offer additional services – Can you do repairs? Do you like to clean? Do the owners have dogs or other pets that need care while they are away? Offering a cleaning service of the barn and/or home as well as offering to let out dogs and feed, or care for cats, birds, or other animals inside the home can boost credibility and earn you a bit of extra money. Be sure to charge accordingly for extra services, especially if they are time-consuming or are major cleaning jobs.
Be sure to complete the chores and care of the horses and other animals in the way that suits the OWNERS.
Horse-sitters or caretakers may find more convenient ways to do things, but if it is not the way the owners have shown or designated, do not do it. They may have specific reasons for feeding certain horses first, or turnout designations, etc. Trying to complete tasks your own way could create potential safety issues.
RATES
So what do you charge? Staying on-site can accumulate more funds, as the caretaker has to stay at the residence. The amount you charge can be a flat rate per day, or you can charge per visit. I have met a horse-sitter who charged 35$ per visit, twice a day. Her visits included feeding, mucking, turnout, blankets, grooming of three horses, and cleaning the barn aisle.
Keep in mind the number of horses they want cared for as well. If the barn has 20 horses, you may want to reconsider your rates or even charge per horse or per visit.
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What you decide to charge is up to you and should be based on your experience, drive time, and other additional chores the owners may ask for. Be sure to have a paper or website available with your rates, as this looks more professional and will help answer questions the owners may have about charges.
Horse-sitting and house-sitting can be an excellent way to make extra income, especially if you are experienced with horses. Business cards and references will let people know you are serious and professional about what you do.
Distance, the number of animals and the length of time the owners need care are key factors in determining rates. Don’t undersell yourself but don’t take advantage of the owners either.
Facebook equine groups can be found in many areas. You can advertise your services to people in YOUR area (for free!) if a group is available. Flyers, an ad in the paper, and word of mouth are the best ways to get business!
I hope this side hustle is something you can do! It is an excellent way to make extra money. Keeping everything clean and be polite and watch your side hustle grow! Happy horse-sitting 😊
**The side hustle portion of this blog was created to help people look for ways to produce additional income. Some of these opportunities could be turned into full-time situations, depending on where you live, and how hard you want to hustle!