The UK freelance economy is growing, but there is a serious issue sitting underneath that growth: women who work for themselves are earning less than men.

A recent report highlighted by Startups.co.uk found that the gender pay gap for UK freelancers is 15.4%, which is significantly higher than the reported full-time employee gender pay gap. The same article also revealed that, globally, female freelancers charge the equivalent of around £24.60 per hour compared with around £30.35 per hour for male freelancers. That is a 19% difference.

_{This matters because freelancing is often sold as freedom.}

You choose your hours.

You choose your clients.

You choose your rates.

But if women are undercharging, are feeling nervous about increasing their prices, and worrying that they will lose work if they ask for what they are worth, then that freedom is not as equal as it should be.

In the equine industry, this problem is especially important as it attracts many women workers. Female freelancers keep yards moving, cover sickness, step in at short notice, care for horses, support riders, help at shows, travel to competitions, manage routines, handle difficult horses, poo pick fields, clip, plait, muck out, ride, turn out, bring in, and keep everything running when staff are stretched.

Yet so much of this work is still undervalued.

Part of the problem is that equine work has always been wrapped up in passion. People say, “You’re lucky to work with horses,” as though loving horses should somehow make up for low pay. But passion does not pay your fuel bill. It does not cover your insurance. It does not pay for your time, your experience, your vehicle, your equipment, your phone, your marketing, your admin, or your tax.

A freelance equine worker is a self-employed person running a business, and every business needs to charge properly.

One of the biggest barriers for many female freelancers is confidence. It can feel uncomfortable to say, “This is my rate.” It can feel even harder when a client says, “That seems expensive,” or “I know someone who will do it cheaper.”

But this is exactly where female freelancers need to hold their nerve.

Because if you have the skill, reliability, experience, and professionalism to do the job properly, you do not need to apologise for your rate. You simply need to explain it clearly.

A client who respects your work will respect your rate.

Of course, not every freelancer will charge the same. Someone offering entry-level poo picking or basic yard support will not charge the same as an experienced competition groom, rider, sole-charge freelancer, or specialist stud worker. Rates should reflect skill, responsibility, experience, location, and the type of work being carried out.

But there is a big difference between pricing fairly for your level and pricing yourself so cheaply that the work becomes unsustainable.

And this is where we need to be honest with each other.

When one female freelancer advertises her services far too cheaply, it not only affects her but also affects the wider freelance community.

Clients begin to see that low rate as normal. They start comparing experienced, insured, reliable freelancers against someone who is charging below what the job is truly worth. Suddenly, the professional freelancer becomes “expensive” when in reality she is simply charging properly.

That race to the bottom hurts everyone.

It makes it harder for women to increase their rates. It makes clients question fair prices. It keeps skilled people underpaid. And in the long run, it drives good freelancers out of the industry altogether because they simply cannot afford to stay.

That cannot be good for horses, yards, owners, or the future of the equine workforce.

So what can we do about it?

We need more transparency. Freelancers should talk more openly about rates, costs, and what different services are worth. Not every conversation has to be public, but supportive private conversations between freelancers can make a huge difference.

We need more confidence. Female freelancers need to practise saying their rate without shrinking, apologising, or immediately offering a discount.

We need better education for clients. Horse owners and equine businesses need to understand that a freelancer’s rate is not just an hourly wage. It is a business rate that covers the cost of providing a reliable, professional service.

We need freelancers to stop undercutting each other. Being the cheapest is not the same as being the best. If anything, charging too little can make people question whether you understand the responsibility of the work.

And most importantly, we need to pull together.

Female freelancers in the equine industry should not be dragging each other down on price. We should be helping each other raise the standard.

When one woman confidently charges properly, it helps the next woman do the same. When one freelancer says no to unfair pay, it sends a message that skilled equine work has value. When more freelancers stop accepting poor rates, clients begin to understand that professional equine support comes at a professional price.

• This is not about greed.
• It is about fairness.
• It is about sustainability.
• It is about making sure that the women who keep the equine industry moving can actually afford to keep doing the work they love.

At TallyHO Temps, we believe equine freelancers deserve to be seen as skilled, valuable, and professional. Whether you offer yard cover, freelance grooming, horse sitting, riding, poo picking, clipping, show support, stud work, equine admin, or practical yard services, your work matters.

So build your profile with confidence. Be clear about your skills. Show your experience. Add your qualifications, memberships, insurance and badges where relevant. Explain what you offer properly.

Then stand by your rate.

Because you are not just filling a gap.

You are providing a service that the equine industry cannot function without.

And that is worth charging properly for.

Join TallyHO Temps Today

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