What would you charge for a student to use your horse at a show.

[andyvee]

I have a lovely lesson horse who’s the best thing going. I have a student who’s regularly riding her in lessons with the plan to show her over the winter and into the summer season. This horse is gaining nothing by having this rider on her, rather the other way around. They are happy to lease, or part board her, but to be honest I don’t do a lot of that and I"m not familiar with a going rate. (I’m in ONT Canada FYI) She pays for her lessons, and rides separately.

My question is this: What would you charge for her to be used for the day at a horse show. I charge her $20 to ride her at home, but thats for one quick ride. At the show she shows in the hack and a division that consists of a schooling, 3 over fences and a flat class. I was thinking $50-$75 for the day. Would you say that is in line with the standard, too cheap or too expensive. Would you do a day rate thing, or a per class thing? It’s a nice horse too, packer, nicely bred warmblood mare, show experience, safe, and does her job well enough to bring home some ribbons.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[autumnmoment]

I’m in your area. My barn charges $100 a day. I think your 50-75 is reasonable!

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

I would say definitely do a day rate rather than per class - if you go per class, then you have the possibility of getting into complicated scenarios if classes are added, scratched, cancelled or whatever. I think the day rate sounds reasonable assuming the show is not a rated show, but I think others will come along with more specific input that is probably more in tune with the scenario than I am.

[westie55]

I think $50-75 is reasonable. $75 is the going rate for a lesson horse around me. In addition, the rider would be charged for any shipping or other services rendered. $75 is just for use of the horse. Just for reference, for higher quality show horses doing larger classes at bigger shows, I’ve seen prices from $125-$225/day.

[Backstage]

$75/day is the price I’ve heard most quoted in my area. That would typically be for a good quality school horse, the nicer and more competitive horses are often not available on a per day basis - there is a commitment required by leasing or half-leasing. But if a per ride rate is what works best for your particular situation, $50-75 is certainly reasonable. If the rider was looking to add some multi-day shows, you might look at a weekly price rather than daily.

[c0608524]

I would also outline what you intend to charge for shipping and coaching at shows as well. I know it’s obvious to horse people to pay that in addition to horse rental, but would hate for your student (or her parents, depending on her age) to be surprised when they get a larger than expected bill. I know, you likely already do this, but just in case…

I’m in Ontario as well. Locally, for schooling shows, the barn charges $30-$50 a day for horse rental. These are lesson barns and a lower COL area.

[bluepece2]

Back in 2005 I would take a school horse to shows for $50 a day ((USD). Taking into account for infatuation and exchange rate…

[WildLittleWren]

I don’t think $75/day rate is unusual, of course with all other expenses (trailering, classes, etc) being incurred by the person renting/riding the horse.

[andyvee]

Thank you all for your input. I think $75 is reasonable from hearing this feedback. Especially since the mare is gone for the whole day and not available for lessons.

[Willesdon]

Do you use the horse for more than one lesson a day? Would you be loosing income by renting it out for a show? Would you also be providing transport? Does your insurance cover a horse used by a client away from home? Is this client able to take care of the horse all day on her own or would she need a groom? Is it therefore really only $75 dollars for an entire day?

[SweetTeaMustang]

I think $75/day is fair and reasonable and pretty much the going rate. Also, all other expenses (transportation, entry fees, etc) should all be paid by the person using the horse for the day.

[paintedpony]

In my area (rural central On) day rate on the horse you describe. consistently bringing home ribbons at schooling/Trillium level would be $50-75. You are spot on in your pricing, usual color of ribbon would decide which number to use. Bonus $ for the “honey, if you can try to stay on, and remember the course, we should place top three” citizen.

As others, I caution you to spell out costs in detail to student/parents. I can not tell you how many conversations I have had, explaining to shocked parents that trailering is not free, there is a coaching fee, stall fee, entries are taxable, medic fee and on and on. That deer in the headlights expression when a parent realizes the little “away” winter schooling show afternoon cost $500 when they were expecting to pay only use of horse and class fee, is not fun.