TallyHO Temps Teams Up with The British Grooms Association to Champion Certified Freelance Grooms

We are absolutely thrilled to share that TallyHO Temps has teamed up with The British Grooms Association to help champion professional standards, trust, and recognition for freelance grooms across the equine industry.

This is an incredibly important step for us because TallyHO Temps and The British Grooms Association share a very clear common vision: freelancers in the equine industry deserve to be paid properly for the work they do, to work safely, and to be treated with respect.

Freelance grooms are not “just extra help”. They are skilled, experienced and valuable workers who often step in when yards, horse owners and equine businesses are under pressure. Whether it is sickness cover, holiday cover, staff shortages, busy competition periods, racing seasons, foaling time or last-minute emergencies, freelance grooms help keep the equine world moving.

• They keep horses cared for.
• They keep yards running.
• They support over-stretched teams.
• They help businesses avoid chaos when things suddenly change.

And that deserves proper recognition.

Why this partnership matters

The equine industry relies heavily on skilled people. Behind every well-run yard, competition horse, racing operation, livery yard, stud, or equestrian business, there are hardworking grooms doing the practical, physical and knowledgeable work that keeps everything functioning.

Yet for too long, many grooms and equine freelancers have had to deal with unclear terms, inconsistent expectations, poor payment habits and a lack of recognition for the level of skill involved in their work.

At TallyHO Temps, we want to help change that.

We believe good freelance grooms should be seen as professionals.

They should be able to show their experience, their standards, their credentials, and their commitment to doing things properly.

That is why we are so pleased to be working with The British Grooms Association.

Certified BGA Freelancers can now display their badge on TallyHO Temps

Freelance grooms who are part of the Certified BGA Freelancer scheme will be able to proudly display their Certified BGA Freelancer badge on their TallyHO Temps profile.

This means that when a client is searching for a freelance groom through TallyHO Temps, they will be able to immediately see when a groom has achieved Certified BGA Freelancer status.

For clients, this offers instant reassurance.

When you need to book a freelance groom quickly, especially during a stressful situation, trust matters. You want to know that the person you are contacting takes their work seriously, understands professional standards, and has made the commitment to operate properly as a freelance groom.

The Certified BGA Freelancer badge helps clients identify freelance grooms who have taken that extra professional step.

It is not just a logo on a profile. It is a visible sign of commitment, responsibility, and professionalism.

What the Certified BGA Freelancer scheme means

The Certified BGA Freelancer scheme is designed to help freelance grooms set themselves apart as trusted and compliant professionals, with the welfare of horses at the heart of their business.

Certified BGA Freelance grooms have pledged to adhere to a series of important commitments.

These include:

Legal compliance

Certified BGA Freelancers are HMRC registered and have the correct self-employed business structure in place.

They are responsible for paying their own tax annually and have Freelancers Liability insurance in place, including Public Liability insurance.

This matters because clients need to understand that freelance grooms are self-employed professionals running their own businesses. They are not casual labour. They are not informal favours. They are skilled people providing a professional service.

Good business management

Certified BGA Freelancers commit to running their business in an organised and structured way.

That means taking their work seriously, managing bookings professionally and understanding that freelance grooming is a business, not just a sideline.

For clients, this gives extra confidence. When you are relying on someone to care for your horses, support your yard, or step into a busy working environment, professionalism matters.

Welfare and wellbeing

Certified BGA Freelancers understand the importance of welfare and wellbeing.

They pledge to treat all horses, other animals, and people with patience and respect. The welfare of the horse must always come first, and anyone working in the equine industry must also understand the importance of respectful behaviour towards clients, colleagues, staff and other professionals.

Professional conduct

Certified BGA Freelancers agree to work with honesty and integrity, deliver a reliable service, and act respectfully and responsibly.

They also agree to adhere to relevant standards of conduct and sportsmanship rules connected to the sector of the equine industry they are working in. This commitment helps raise expectations across the industry and supports the idea that freelance grooms are professional, skilled, and accountable.

Why this is important for clients

If you are a yard owner, horse owner or equine business looking for freelance help, the pressure is often real.

• A groom may call in sick.
• A key member of staff may go on holiday.
• A busy period may arrive suddenly.
• A yard may have more horses than hands.
• A client may need reliable cover at short notice.

In those moments, you do not just need “someone available”.

You need someone capable, reliable, and professional.

Seeing the Certified BGA Freelancer badge on a TallyHO Temps profile gives clients an immediate indication that the freelance groom has committed to recognised professional standards.

It helps clients make more informed decisions when choosing who to contact and book.

Why is this important for freelance grooms?

For freelance grooms, visibility matters.

There are many skilled people working across the equine industry, but too often their professionalism is not clearly displayed. Their experience, standards and commitment can be hidden behind word of mouth, social media posts, or informal recommendations.

TallyHO Temps gives freelance grooms a place to showcase who they are, what they offer and where they work.

The Certified BGA Freelancer badge adds another layer of professional recognition. It helps freelance grooms stand out to clients who value trust, standards, and proper working practices.

It also sends a clear message:

This is a professional freelance groom who takes their business, their clients, and the horses in their care seriously.

Raising standards in the equine freelance industry

This is about helping to raise standards across the equine freelance industry. We want to encourage a culture where freelance grooms are respected as skilled workers, where clients understand the value of paying properly, and where safe, professional working practices become the norm. The equine industry depends on freelance support more than ever. Yards and equine businesses need flexibility, but that flexibility must not come at the expense of fairness, safety, or respect.

Freelance grooms are helping to keep the industry moving during some of its most stressful moments. They deserve to be seen, valued, and treated accordingly.

A shared vision for the future

At TallyHO Temps, we are proud to be working alongside The British Grooms Association because our values align so strongly.

• We both believe that freelance grooms deserve recognition.
• We both believe that professional standards matter.
• We both believe that horses, clients, and freelancers benefit when work is carried out safely, clearly and respectfully.
• We both believe that the people who keep yards and equine businesses going deserve to be valued for the skill, commitment, and care they bring to their work.

This is an exciting step forward for TallyHO Temps, for freelance grooms, and for clients looking for trusted equine support.

If you are a freelance groom and you are a Certified BGA Freelancer, you will be able to display your badge proudly on your TallyHO Temps profile.

If you are a client looking for freelance groom support, look out for the Certified BGA Freelancer badge when searching on TallyHO Temps.

Because when it comes to caring for horses, supporting yards and keeping the equine world moving, professionalism matters.

Join TallyHO Temps Today