_{Struggling to find reliable equine freelancers?}

Many yards face the same challenge, often due to last-minute planning, unclear expectations, and misunderstandings around freelance rates and travel. This blog post explains why securing good equine freelancers can be challenging and what yards can do differently to build better, more reliable working relationships.

Why So Many Yards Struggle to Find Good Equine Freelancers

Across the equine industry, the demand for reliable freelance help has never been higher. Yet many yards still find themselves saying the same thing: “We just can’t find anyone good.”

The truth is, good equine freelancers are out there. The problem is not a lack of skill or willingness. It is how, when, and under what conditions yards try to find them.

Leaving It Too Late Turns Everything Into an Emergency

One of the biggest issues is timing.

Many yards only start looking for freelance help when the situation has already become critical. A member of staff calls in sick. Someone goes on unexpected leave. Horses still need feeding, mucking out, riding, and turning out.

At that point, it is already too late.

The best equine freelancers are rarely sitting around waiting for work. They are booked days or weeks in advance, often by yards that plan ahead. When work is left until the last minute, the choice of equine freelancers becomes very limited.

Not Having Time to Look in the Right Places

Yard managers are busy. Running a yard is relentless and time-poor, and searching for freelancers often gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

This leads to rushed decisions:

• Asking whoever happens to be nearby
• Posting in Facebook groups at the last minute
• Relying on word of mouth alone

Good freelancers tend to avoid chaotic, last-minute requests unless there is clarity, respect, and fair pay. Without those, they will simply not respond.

Lack of Transparency Puts Freelancers Off Immediately

Nothing puts a freelancer off faster than vague or unclear details.

Common issues include:

• “It’s just a few hours,” with no actual hours specified
• Unclear expectations about duties
• No mention of start times, finish times, or number of horses
• No clarity on whether riding, sole charge, or responsibility is involved

Freelancers are running businesses. They need clear information to decide whether a job fits around their other commitments. When details are missing or keep changing, many will simply walk away.

Freelancers Are Self-Employed Businesses, Not Employees

This is one of the most misunderstood areas.

Equine freelancers are not employees. They are self-employed professionals running their own businesses. That means:

• They set their own rates
• They factor in insurance, experience, equipment, and availability
• They price according to responsibility, risk, and time

A yard cannot simply decide an hourly rate and expect a freelancer to accept it. That model does not work.

The correct approach is simple:

• Ask the freelancer what their rate is
• Ask what is included for that rate
• Decide whether it works for your yard

Respectful conversations lead to long-term working relationships. Dictating rates usually leads to being avoided.

Travel Expectations Are Often Unrealistic

Another major sticking point is travel.

Some yards expect freelancers to travel long distances, sometimes very early or very late, without any consideration of fuel, time, or wear and tear on vehicles.

If travel is not included in the hourly or daily rate, it needs to be discussed openly. Expecting someone to “just get there” with no compensation is one of the quickest ways to lose good freelancers.

Reputation Spreads Faster Than You Think

The equine world is small. Freelancers talk to each other.

If a yard:

• Treats freelancers poorly
• Changes terms at the last minute
• Fails to pay on time
• Pushes boundaries repeatedly

Word gets out quickly. Once a yard gains a reputation for being difficult or unreliable, freelancers will quietly stop accepting work there.

This is often why some yards struggle repeatedly, while others always seem to have cover.

Freelancers Keep Yards Running

Equine freelancers are not a “nice extra”. They are essential.

They cover:

• Holidays
• Sickness
• Busy seasons
• Competitions
• Emergencies

They step in and keep horses cared for, routines maintained, and yards functioning when things get tough. Treating them as valued professionals rather than last-minute fixes makes all the difference.

The Bottom Line

Yards that plan ahead, communicate clearly, respect freelancers as businesses, and pay fairly rarely struggle to find help.

Those who leave everything until the last minute, are vague about hours, set rates without discussion, or ignore travel realities, will continue to struggle.

Good equine freelancers exist. They are just selective about where they work, and for very good reasons.

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