How Much to Charge?

[Spudsmyguy]

I had a boarder who, with her husband, moved across the country for a job. Her horse, a retired hunter, is here and will be leaving via commercial transport, in the next couple of weeks. He’s been here without them since the 17th of October. I didn’t charge them board because in exchange they did yard work for me (and very well, I might add), they provided all food for their horse and clean his stall which consists of a large run in shed and large paddock. He has some health issues so I’ve been monitoring him closely in case I need the vet out. They will be paying me for taking care of him for roughly 4 weeks and making sure he gets on the transport in one piece with his accoutrements - hay, grain, basic care items. I will also be sending them a box of things they couldn’t send with the horse.

He gets fed twice a day, stall cleaned, turned out all day, blankets changed, he has a wrap on one foot from a serious abscess which needed minor surgery to correct, that I change every other day.

I’m thinking in the neighborhood of $500 plus cost of shipping the box or just including it with the $500. Do you think that sounds fair?

[TheHunterKid90]

To clarify, did they purchase the hay, grain and supplies needed for the 4 weeks you would be caring for him? Or just for the time they were self care boarding at your facility.

[Spudsmyguy]

They purchased all the hay and grain and supplies needed for him until he leaves.

[TheHunterKid90]

If you assume this horse takes about 45 min of your time each day. To feed, turn in and out, blanket change and doctor leg on off days and you are charging them approximately $21/hour to care for their horse.
If they were a friend of mine I would probably do it cheaper. I also don’t know the board in your area.

[TheHunterKid90]

Comparatively speaking, full board with me is $550. Includes 12x12 matted stall, grain, alfalfa and unlimited 2nd cutting grass hay. Daily turnout in grass pastures. Blanket changes in line with the rest of my barn. (I’m not changing blankets every time the temp changes 5 degrees but no one is cold or sweating.) and simple doctoring or bandaging with owner provided supplies (unless horse is in full training program, then they use “house” supplies.

[luvmyhackney]

I’d probably do it much cheaper myself especially if you aren’t footing the bill for hay/grain. They provided you a great service in exchange for board, I would heavily discount what I charged unless the horse is a PITA. But I do have sucker written on my forehead for retired horses. How big is the box you are mailing?

[GraceLikeRain]

That seems really steep for a single month if feed is provided. I’d do more like $300 plus the shipping cost for the box.

[Highflyer]

I’d probably do $10/day plus shipping for the box.

[Spudsmyguy]

I think you’re right. I’ll drop it to $300. That sounds about right. I don’t want to take advantage of them at all. Thanks for weighing in.

The box is about 2.5’ x 2.5’ and it will be pretty heavy. He is a bit of a pain in the butt, very big - 18 hands and knows it. He’s tried to kick me or strike out at me at feeding time if I make him move back so I can deliver feed.

[Spudsmyguy]

Oh, they are very happy. No, only one box plus his hay and grain can go with the horse and that box is already full with essential items - blanket, extra boot for his hoof, few other things. The stuff I’m shipping are mostly miscellaneous odds and ends.

[WildGooseChase]

$350 is more in the ballpark I would consider. Dropping feed that they provided, and changing a bandage shouldn’t take too long.

[joiedevie99]

The price for this is entirely dependent on what board is in your area. Take what you charge for full board (or what others in your area charge if you don’t have other boarders), and deduct the portion of your board allotted to supplies.

I can’t imagine UPS or Fedex shipping a 2.5’ square heavy box across the country for under $150 right now. I’ve paid $65-$90 for a single uninsured saddle recently. If the commercial truck isn’t full, they may be happy to take it for an extra fee.

[Spudsmyguy]

I know it’s going to be spendy to ship that box. I’ll check with the commercial van and see if they can take it.

I don’t have any other boarders, this started out doing a favor for a friend when she needed a spot and I had room. Partial care board here ranges from $250 - $400 (or so) with owner provided supplies. These folks are very generous and two of the nicest people I know. They were out of town for 3 days interviewing for this job when their horse came up 3 legged lame from that abscess. I hauled him to the vet for them (he ended up staying there for a week) and even though he wasn’t on the property, they still gave me $200. I tried to give it back but they wouldn’t hear of it.

[trubandloki]

@joiedevie99

If the commercial truck isn’t full, they may be happy to take it for an extra fee.

This is my thought too. Get a quote for shipping this box normally and then give that price to the owners. It might be worth it to have them ask the shipper (for the horse) what extra fees would be associated with shipping this extra box along with the horse and the horse’s supplies.

[Gesaffelstein]

I would not charge for boarding and care, especially since they supplied feed. Do them a solid and just charge for shipping the box.
Show them the kindness they showed you. I’m sure they will send you over the cost of shipping the box, but let them figure that out.

[BlueDrifter]

Not sure how to do it, but one gal nearby used Greyhound Bus to ship her tack and small household goods. Cheaper because delivery was to a warehouse they picked up from??

Sounds like you had very nice boarders. If someone was doing that for me, I would feel a fair offer was the going rate for a month’s board, minus food, but plus extra for doctoring.

[candyappy]

@Spudsmyguy

I think you’re right. I’ll drop it to $300. That sounds about right. I don’t want to take advantage of them at all. Thanks for weighing in.

The box is about 2.5’ x 2.5’ and it will be pretty heavy. He is a bit of a pain in the butt, very big - 18 hands and knows it. He’s tried to kick me or strike out at me at feeding time if I make him move back so I can deliver feed.

$300 sounds about right for the care of the horse. They did provide the feed, but you are still stall cleaning, handling, caring for his special needs and seeing he is shipped out. I would charge them for the cost of shipping the box separately.

[Weezer]

@Gesaffelstein

I would not charge for boarding and care, especially since they supplied feed. Do them a solid and just charge for shipping the box.
Show them the kindness they showed you. I’m sure they will send you over the cost of shipping the box, but let them figure that out.

I agree with this. I’m assuming you’re out there dealing with your own horses too so it’s probably not a lot of extra work and a little good karma goes a long way. If they insist on paying, I’d go with about $10 per day.

[js]

@Gesaffelstein

I would not charge for boarding and care, especially since they supplied feed. Do them a solid and just charge for shipping the box.
Show them the kindness they showed you. I’m sure they will send you over the cost of shipping the box, but let them figure that out.

I like this ^^^^^.

[Zu_Zu]

[B]$ 400.00 - board & care

Shipping box charge to owners exactly what it costs; as per receipt.

• always make sure a horse looks better leaving your care than when he arrived ~

Bless you for taking such good care of their gelding.

Safe travels for this gelding ![/B]