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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG

Winning at Adulting

BGA blogger Kate Harley on Christmas and winning at adulting!

Hey everyone, I hope you are all well. The festive period is now upon us and I don’t know about you but I’m fairly Grinch-like about it all until I go to Olympia - and then I go into full on elf mode! Following that there’s no stopping my Christmas jumpers and the Christmas channel goes on the radio, cue my awful singing to Mariah Carey ‘All I want for Christmas’!

I’m that annoying person though that leaves the present shopping until Christmas Eve. In recent years I have got better though. I used to drag my poor friend Charlie with me every year on Christmas Eve to the big shopping centre, but this year I’ve already got two presents - winning at adulting!

This is the time to be thinking not only about shopping for the humans in your life but for the horses too. Make sure you plan ahead and be sure to have plenty of hay, feed and bedding in stock, although the shops only tend to shut for a few days now but still better to be prepared.

Get the farrier booked in if needed, you’re better off getting them shod slightly early than risk going too long and losing a shoe.

Having the Christmas rota organised is really important so it’s clear who is working when. It goes without saying that you should try and make it as fair as possible for everyone. If people live in and have family far away and you live close by or have family close then offer to work so those who live further afield can go home.

Think about splitting the days in half, if that’s fairer or easier, or if there’s a bigger group of you it might be nicer to all work and then have dinner together. Christmas is a time for family and friends, fun, love and laughter so try and get everyone involved and make it a special occasion if people have to be away from family and loved ones.

At this time of year it’s important to remember that not everyone might be feeling so festive, or is able to spend time with their family and/or friends. Make sure that everyone on the yard is included and if you, or someone you know, is feeling a bit low or lonely then don’t forget to have a look at Grooms Minds to access the support on there.

I’m a massive foodaholic and love a festive bake, you could have a festive style bake off and all try making different yummy Christmas treats to keep you going on the yard throughout the festive period!

For me this will be the 15th year working Christmas Day. I do the morning which involves turnout if possible, or sand pens and hand grazing, while I muck out and get the necessary jobs done. We try and prepare as much in advance to make it as easy as possible. Then I leave everyone with plenty of hay and treats before they are then finished off later in the afternoon.

I like to make working around Christmas as fun as possible for everyone, lots of Christmas songs, treats, choccies and we decorate the yard for extra festiveness. I also go in Christmas morning in my Rudolph onesie!

If anyone is going to Olympia this year have an amazing time. I’m going on Tuesday evening for the dressage freestyle. This is my Mums and I annual trip – although I must not spend any money (unless it’s on food)!

So with that said I’d like to thank each and every one of you who take the time to read my ramblings throughout the year, and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I’ll see you all next year!

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What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO

Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO
 
YES

YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES

NO

NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES