Rise of the Horse Industry Freelancer – The Plaid Horse Magazine

By KATIE DERER

Recently, there has been a remarkable amount of inflammatory media revealing the mental and physical state of those living and working in the equine industry. This led me to start asking some serious questions to my fellow peers: amateurs, professionals, and business owners.

The consensus: the industry is out of hand. What does that mean, specifically? Their answers: Prices, shows, commissions, staff, lessons, saturated sales market, and the list continues. There is continued confusion between the hobbyist and the true horse professional.

From the outside, the best equine industry seems so simple, and yet we are no closer as a community to maintaining the sport at its core. We have seemingly no grassroot foundational levels in order to keep talented individuals in key roles. In a series of articles exclusive to The Plaid Horse, I will explore where things currently stand in the horse industry, and what we can do to improve them for both the humans and horses involved.

Over the past 20 years, I have navigated the equine industry through various disciplines, job titles, and unique facets in order to reach the stability that I have today. The life I envisioned did not exist in an ordinary box of what the industry was willing to give me. So, in order to live the life that I want, I designed it for myself. I made the decision to strike out on my own path and use my valuable skills as a freelance employee.

What is Freelance?

Freelance work in the equine industry is a growing sector that provides individuals with flexibility while contributing to the overall functioning of the industry. This type of work allows equine professionals to operate independently, often providing specialized services to horse owners, trainers, breeders, and facilities. Freelance workers in the equine industry can range from trainers and riders to veterinarians, farriers, grooms, and event coordinators.

For many in the industry, freelance is an entirely new solution to a complicated issue that many of us face. I want to share the experience in case others find themselves in similar situations. I continue to pursue freedom of employment in all equestrian sectors, in order to maintain sovereignty over pay, hours, choice of employers, and location, strictly because the industry standards do not provide stability of income in modern society.

Had I been able to survive with the scraps the industry was feeding me, perhaps it could have been different. But, I have developed highly sought-after skill sets, on multiple continents, which afford me to work anywhere I like, in any language, whenever I want. To me, freelance has given me the fulfillment that no other employers could, including opportunity, pay, and respect. I don’t need to work for anyone, but for those I offer my services to, there will be mutual appreciation, respect, realistic expectations, reliability and livable income.

What Freelance Grooms Mean for Horses

Most industry professionals acknowledge that times are changing. The dialogue continues in the media I see popping up, vitriolic and oppressive, because change is often feared. Most up-and-coming equestrians feel the lack of an industry with transparency and evolution, let alone livable wages. Everyone blames something or someone, but no one takes any action. For the industry to evolve means we must make progress. The elusive answer that the younger generation have given voice to in recent years, is one of transparency. Or lack thereof. We will dive into further details about how and why we are here in future articles.

Freelance work creates a lot of possibilities for me and for others, but if this is to be the way forward, we need to discuss some of the effects on the horses. The increasing reliance on freelance grooms in the equine industry brings both opportunities and challenges, raising concerns about the well-being of both horses and their caretakers.

Freelancers offer valuable expertise and flexibility, but their transient nature can disrupt the consistency that horses need to thrive. Horses, as creatures of habit, rely on familiar routines and handlers to maintain physical and emotional stability. Inconsistencies in care due to rotating grooms can cause stress, affect performance, and even lead to health setbacks.

For horses, the frequent change of handlers disrupts routines and creates additional stress. Freelancers often lack the time to develop a rapport with the horses they care for, which can hinder their ability to notice subtle behavioral or health changes. This lack of continuity can also lead to confusion or anxiety in horses when new grooms use unfamiliar techniques or fail to understand individual preferences. Ultimately, for performance horses: physical, mental, and emotional health are all equally important. Inconsistencies due to freelance workers can cause decreased performance, which hinders professional records and earned winnings.

So how can a freelance groom make up for the shortcomings inherent in not being part of horses’ usual routines? In my experience, due to burn out that many full-time employees experience, I can offer more emotionally and physically detailed care as a freelancer, simply because I feel fresh and grateful for my clients. A lot of barn’s grooms come and go, with a continuous turnover, even among full-timers.

Either way, I am sure it is difficult for the horse to find comfort in a revolving door of handlers. My upside: Most of my clientele can agree that I treat every horse as if it was my own. Any good freelance groom will do the same. In this manner, I’ve created a rapport not only easing worries to the riders and owners, but also seamlessly integrating amongst the team, bringing necessary aid, and keeping the atmosphere calm and uninterrupted. I understand this is not a skill everyone has. Good horsemanship and people skills are essential as a freelance groom, since you will be meeting all types of people and working with some very competitive horses.

During my personal freelance experiences—including training, riding, and grooming—I have also worked as a relief manager during emergency situations for facilities, flying across the country and the world. I am eternally grateful for how I have carved a new path for myself. You cannot control everyone or everything, but you can control how you engage with others. Remember: your livelihood and future are yours to fulfill.

In closing, if I could relay one piece of advice, it would be to sit and ask yourself what you really want to do within the equine industry. What makes you stay? I polled a demographic of peers online and the resounding answer was: for the love of horses. Why, then, do we fail the horse in its most basic needs: consistency and routine? Why are we, as an industry, so willing to keep the high turnover rate? What more could be done to keep great employees? Pay? Incentives?

I’m looking forward to the deep dive and sharing the latest research to see what options and solutions we can create moving forward. There are no right and wrong answers. If you cannot find the path envisioned, forge a new one.

Freelance in 2025 and Beyond

Equine Trainers and Coaches

One of the most common freelance roles in the equine industry is that of an independent trainer or coach. Freelance trainers work with horse owners and riders to develop skills in various disciplines such as dressage, jumping, Western riding, racing, or therapeutic riding. These trainers may offer lessons, provide one-on-one coaching, or manage the training of horses at their own facility or at a client’s farm. Freelance trainers are often hired for specialized needs, such as preparing horses for competitions, teaching beginner riders, or providing rehabilitation after injury.

Grooms and Stable Workers

Grooms who work as freelancers are hired to care for horses, clean stables, feed, water, and ensure general horse health and well-being. Some grooms work directly for private horse owners, while others might be employed by training facilities, racing stables, or competition teams. Freelance grooms have the flexibility to choose their hours, but their work is physically demanding and irregular, often requiring long hours, including weekends and holidays. Grooms might also be hired to travel with horses for shows, races, or events.

About the Expert

Katie Derer graduated from Delaware Valley University with a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Studies, specializing in Equine Training. She also studied abroad in the UK at Hartpury College, where she found her enthusiasm for research and globalization practices within the equine industry. In 2016, she formed Wilderer Equestrian as a young professional, committed to young horses, sales, and showing on the circuit. After 20+ years in the industry, she continues to document first-hand experiences and search for solution-based policies to bring into practice.