I was at a barn that did charge a fee for the big spring shot/fall shot appointments. It wasn’t huge ($10-15, I think). However, a lot of the boarders there either were retired or had flexible work schedules, and so a lot of people came out and held their own horses. The barn staff is still disrupted managing the appointment because they’re holding some horses, and honestly it just didn’t seem that productive. It seemed like it made it more hectic to have so many people coming in and out for the appointment to avoid the extra fee, so that’s just something to think about. It may be more efficient to not charge than it is to charge and have say, 6 out of 10 boarders show and then end up making an extra $40 but not really save yourself any time.
On emergencies it’s great to have someone available charge or no charge. I also haven’t had the experience of needing someone to hold for the farrier. My farrier seems to prefer to work alone.
At my last barn, they charged a $10 holding fee. I didn’t feel it was worth it because they didn’t even actually hold the horse. At best they would take the horse from the stall and put him on the cross ties and then leave the vet or the farrier to do their own thing. In most cases, they would point the vet or the farrier in the direction of the horse and leave them to take the horse out or tie the horse in the stall. But, the owner isn’t there obviously, so they get away with charging for a service they didn’t actually provide.
My current barn doesn’t charge boarders (although I tell her all the time that she should) to hold their horse. She actually does hold the horse personally for the vet or farrier if needed, so I would be happy to pay in that case if I needed that service. For my horses, I always schedule vet appointments for a day/time when I can be there, so unless there is a crazy emergency that I happen to be at work for, no need to have someone hold. The farrier is scheduled by the barn owner for the whole barn. I work night shift so I can usually be there. On the rare occasion I can’t make it I will ask her to hold for me, except for my big guy who is a pain in the butt. I don’t feel she should have to deal with him, so I’ll try to reschedule him for a time when the farrier is out in the area and can swing by.
Long story short, I do think that you should be charging. Time is money, and it takes time to hold a horse for the farrier or vet. All that time adds up.
