Comments on: Stable Advice: Vet Appointments Are Not a Spectator Sport

By: Beverly

Beverly — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:02:17 +0000

Politely ask the “intruder” if she’d like to split the farm call charge. Or just say, “I’m not quite finished with Dr. Doe yet, can you wait a few minutes? Thanks.” I actually had this problem with a farrier who had other clients at the barn, and option 2 worked well with no ruffled feathers. Good luck to you.

By: M S

M S — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:44:02 +0000

Sticky situation! If you’re vet is willing I’d ask him/her to help you out and say that he needs to concentrate on the task at hand. Feel free to ask questions afterwards.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 20:22:53 +0000

The vet should take the professional lead and suggest
To the person or persons interrupting their work
That they make an appointment of their own or
Call the vet’s office to receive answers to their
Inquiries. Time is money and the person paying
Is doing so to have the professional’s undivided
Attention.
The owner of the farm/stables should also share
This consideration with all boarders when they are
Making the decision to board with the farm/stables.
It is a fair rule and one that should be shared from
The start. It’s unfortunate that it has to be laid
Out, but so be it.

By: Karma

Karma — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:29:22 +0000

My vet does an excellent job of handling this problem Their group is well aware of who is paying for the visit and will say something like I”ll be glad to answer your brief question after I’m finished with this horse.” They take the hint better than from another boarder and don’t take offense.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 21:06:59 +0000

I would likely say something like, excuse me but could you please wait until YOUR appointment time to ask your questions. I have questions of my own I need to ask during my appointment time.
And that’s just me straight forward… And this will definitely be quite clear to the person that they are intruding on your vet time…and wether or not the person has an appointment scheduled ( that day or another time) the person will clearly realize you don’t want your appointment interrupted.

By: Fran

Fran — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 14:40:42 +0000

A next door neighbor and I had shared ranch calls several times. But I found that when the vet was done at her place and moved on to mine, the neighbor would follow the vet to my place and continue talking. I’m hard of hearing and it is a real effort for me to ask questions and then be able to hear the answer. This neighbor is loud and a know it all, and she often went on and on, taking up the vet’s time and distracting the vet from the task at hand. I had to flat out tell the neighbor that I couldn’t hear the vet’s voice over hers, and told her she was not to come over to my place after her own vet visit. No friendship lost there.

By: ahunter

ahunter — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 13:57:25 +0000

The vet is on your time and your dollar. The others need to schedule him just like you did. It will take a combined effort between you and the vet to stop them from taking your time and money.

By: kathleen

kathleen — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 12:51:14 +0000

I own and operate a stable n like everything else you provide leadership n manage. When the get is booked to see clients horses I generally have them write their questions down that way they can focus on what they need answers too. I do not allow clients who have not booked the vet to interrupt. If at the end they’d like to ask the vet for advice then can ask the attending vet if he has time. An emgerency situation would take priority n again we’d manage. If the client is not able to be there again having their questions written down allows me to ask n obtain the answers.

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 11:46:06 +0000

schedule it early enough when no one is at the barn….if it is important enough to not want socializing ….say so…do it in a way that you don’t offend….take the horse to an area that you can shot the door…a clean stall….the shower rack and just say it….people are curious….say it is private time…I have no problem with speaking up….I don’t like to baby sit in the arena…so if you don’t like me telling your child what the rules are…pick another time or deal with it….

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 11:38:51 +0000

Just tell ask them if they would like to split the barn call fee and see how quickly they walk away. Sometimes you have to be direct with people because they just don’t get it. If they get mad that’s too bad it’s your horse and your money not theirs and I’m sure that if it was them they would have no problem with telling you.