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Home /Grooms life/New years message

New Years Message

28th December 2023
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I am Lucy Katan, CEO and founder of the British Grooms Association, (former international dressage groom, wishing that she had some yard work to do to burn off some of the Christmas calories).

This is my 2024 New Year Message to all grooms... 

Grooms, please wise up and no longer work in illegal, substandard employment positions. 

This was a social media post that we shared during the Christmas break. A jolly ‘ho ho ho’ one, with an underlying serious message about the importance of recognising a position of false self-employment: 

Job advert

Spot the signs of poor employment in this fictional job advert:

“Self-employed groom wanted to provide daily yard chores for around 40 hours a week, although during the most important week of the year, this could rise to 60 hours, to make sure we are prepared for dashing through the snow. Must be willing to work weekends and one very late evening each year."


It is the most common inquiry we receive at the BGA. The phone call tends to go like this:

“Hi, I have been told by my boss to call the BGA as I need some insurance. I am self-employed, yes I only work for one person, and yes they have told me how much I will earn and when I have to work. So can I get some liability insurance?”

This is false self-employment and is illegal, immoral, and in some cases downright dangerous. (in case you were wondering, this individual would not be permitted to purchase our Freelance Groom Liability Insurance as it would be a chocolate teapot if they were ever to claim upon it – they are not self-employed and so the insurance is invalid.)

I am sad at how naive too many grooms are. ….It is the year 2024, grooms you have a brilliant organisation that is friendly, helpful, and has thousands of members – but so many of you opt to not belong to the BGA, and then choose to work in these substandard and illegal situations. Why?

Grooms that work in such yards, under such terms, well frankly you are just fuelling this issue. You wouldn’t work in a factory under such conditions, so why do you accept them when horses are involved? Parents, friends, colleagues, please tell them to stop.

 

The EEA 

If you are working for an employer who doesn’t abide by the law; we understand it is a tricky conversation to have. But. It is one you must have. Introduce them to the Equestrian Employers Association – with a growing membership of over 1000 employers, (all who recognise that Good Employment is the only option).

Surely this is the way for change to occur.


I formed the BGA over 15 years ago to bring about significant change and much-needed modernisation to the equestrian industry. 

Let’s together make 2024 the 'Year of Change'. Here are some New Year wishes for you: 

  1. Have a listen to my recent podcast which tells the story of its formation and why I think we still have issues in our equestrian industry surrounding employment practices.
  2. Grooms - join the BGA and chat with us for advice about your own employment situation.
  3. Or if you are already a member, pay it forward and encourage your colleagues/friends to join us too.

Thanks for reading, and I wish you all a happy and healthy 2024. 

Lucy



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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