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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
BGA Member
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Home Groom / Sole charge at top private yard
Lanarkshire
Sector Dressage
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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
A topic we are often asked about is being pregnant while working freelance. Working with horses can pose high risks for pregnant women. Some women will choose to continue to ride; others might be uncomfortable mucking out. If you do decide to continue working, make sure you take time to consider how things may change in the coming months. Put a plan in place to look after your needs while taking care of your clients. Risks Assessment As the pregnancy progresses so do the risks. Make sure you look at the risks for each aspect of the tasks you provide for your clients and carry out a risk assessment to ensure you are as safe as possible. Don’t forget BGA members have access to risk assessment templates. Maternity Allowance It is important to know being self-employed you could still be entitled to Maternity Allowance, see the HMRC guidance. Use the maternity entitlement calculator. Informing your clients Pregnancy may have an impact on the work you carry out for clients, there may be tasks you would prefer not to undertake, antenatal appointments to be scheduled into your diary and a period of time off. Talk with your clients to discuss the upcoming changes, share the results of your risk assessments to agree changes to ensure your safety. Discuss whether you will be able to provide cover for your absence or if they will have to look at alternative options. Think about the future Once the baby has arrived, do you want to return to your clients? Consider childcare and the cost involved, make a plan for your return to work and keep clients informed well in advance. Grooms Minds During and after pregnancy it is even more important to look after yourself, make sure you are eating properly, seeing friends, making time for self-care. When it comes to our mental health, recognising, or admitting we’re not 100% or ‘not ourselves’ isn’t always that easy. BGA members can access the bespoke Grooms Minds support line, A 24 hours, 7 days a week service, means that you are never alone and there is always a trained helper ready to talk to you. If you're not a member yet, find out more about the benefits and how we can support you.
Freelancing while pregnant
BLOG ARCHIVE
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. |
|
|
|
| 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 |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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