_{House sitting has become increasingly popular within the UK}

For many people who knowing they can go away and have their horses and dogs looked after by someone living on site gives them peace of mind.

These owners want continuity, security, and the reassurance that everything is being managed as if they were still at home. That is where house sitting is a win-win for both parties.

For freelancers, the option to stay on site looking after horses and dogs is a great option and can really suit those who want flexibility, variety, and excitement.

Living in, not just turning up

With house sitting, the freelancer literally moves into the client’s home for the duration of their time away. This suits owners with horses kept at home, working yards, or multiple animals that need consistent care. It is often not just horses that need looking after. Dogs are commonly part of the setup, and in rural homes, this may include working hounds that require proper daily exercise, not just a quick walk around the block.

For equine freelancers, this means stepping into a role that blends animal care with responsibility for the property itself. You are not only caring for the horses but keeping an eye on the wider picture: dogs exercised, animals fed and checked, and the house kept secure and lived in.

A role for people who are genuinely flexible

House sitting works best for freelancers who have few external commitments. If you are tied to a yard job elsewhere, family responsibilities, or a strict schedule, it can be difficult to commit fully. But if you are genuinely flexible, this type of work can open doors that standard freelance roles cannot.

Many experienced house sitters build up opportunities to travel extensively. Some house-sit locally, others move region to region, and some even take on international house sits. For equine professionals who enjoy new environments and different ways of working, it can be a rewarding way to see the world while doing what you know best.

Be clear on what you will and will not do

One of the most important aspects of house sitting is clarity. Before agreeing to any sit, you need to be very clear on exactly what duties are expected of you.

In most cases, reasonable expectations include:

• Daily care of horses, dogs, and any other animals on site
• Exercising horses, dogs, or working hounds as agreed
• Keeping the house clean, tidy, and lived in

Where things can become problematic is when other expectations creep in. For example, if a client expects a full spring clean while they are away, that is something you may want to draw a firm line on. Deep cleaning is not a good use of an experienced equine freelancer’s skillset and should not be assumed as part of a house sitting role unless it has been clearly discussed, priced, and agreed in advance.

Treat it like a professional service

House sitting may feel informal, but it should always be treated as a professional arrangement. Clear boundaries, agreed responsibilities, and honest conversations at the start prevent misunderstandings later. As a freelancer, you are running a business, not doing a favour.

When done properly, house sitting can be one of the most enjoyable and trusted roles an equine freelancer takes on. It offers variety, independence, and the chance to build long-term relationships with clients who value continuity and care while they are away.

Doing things differently at TallyHO

One frustration many freelancers quickly discover is that a large number of house-sitting websites charge the sitter a membership fee just to be listed. In reality, many people who want to offer house sitting end up paying multiple site fees at the same time, simply to increase their chances of actually securing work. That can add up fast, especially for freelancers who are already covering insurance, travel, and day-to-day business costs.

At TallyHO Temps, we take a very different approach. We never charge freelancers to join. If you are an equine freelancer and you want to offer house sitting as one of your services, you can do so without paying membership fees or subscribing to multiple platforms just to be seen.

The reason this works is focus. TallyHO Temps specialises in homes with horses and hounds. Clients are not browsing casually; they are coming to the platform because their main concern is animal care. They want people who genuinely understand horses, working dogs, and the realities of rural life. That makes the match more relevant and far more efficient for freelancers offering house-sitting services.

Instead of competing on broad, generic house-sitting sites where you may never hear back, equine freelancers on TallyHO Temps are visible to the right clients from the outset. Owners know why they are there, freelancers know what is expected, and the emphasis stays exactly where it should be: the welfare of the animals and the smooth running of the home while the owners are away.

‍

Join TallyHO Temps Today

‍