Comments on: 10 Things Your Barn Worker Wants You to Know

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 06:24:47 +0000

ALWAYS tip your barn staff at Christmas! You need to let them know that they ARE appreciated. After all, they are the ones out there at 5am in freezing weather taking care of YOUR horse. Far too many people don’t appreciate all that they do for us, and a little appreciation goes a long way for them. Respect them because they are the ones doing the dirty work.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:04:02 +0000

I have worked as a barn worker before so know what a hard job it can be. It makes me that much more thankful for my fantastic barn owner and all the hard works she puts in as she does all the chores/barn work on her own. I do rely on her alot when it comes to making decisions about my horse and his care. And as for being trustworthy, I can’t think of anyone I trust more with my horses. I know that I never have to worry on the days I can’t make it to the barn as I know he’ll be well loved and cared for and I know if anything I need to know about comes up I will get a text or phone call.

By: Shana

Shana — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:27:00 +0000

Several mornings a week I work at my barn to help pay for my board. And I will be the first to tell you what a HARD job it is! Me & my fellow stablehands freeze in the winter, sweat in the summer, and our muscles get incredibly sore after every work day. But I love the horses so much it makes it worthwhile, and we also have some fantastic boarders at our barn who go that extra mile to help us with their horse’s care and let us know we our appreciated. That is so, SO kind of them, because it shows that those owners actually CARE what happens to their horse and those who care for it. I know of many horses who have a closer relationship with me then with their owners. Many of the boarders just come out, ride the horse, and let us do the rest. “That’s what they are payed for!” They say. Yes, that’s true, but your horse NEEDS YOU! If your one of those boarders who only rides and expects stablehands to do the rest, stop and think for a moment. Don’t you want to have a good relationship with your horse? Then hang out with it! Don’t just let us take care of everything but riding. Your horse WILL forget you. I know of one situation where call the owner did was ride once a week. We groomed, fed, turned out, saddled, did everything for this horse. Eventually the horse forgot it’s owner and stopped paying to her. The owner ended up selling the horse to the stablehand it bonded with. Don’t let this happen to you! Read the FANTASTIC article above again. Think. Thanks for posting this, Horsechannel.com!
~Shana

By: Shana

Shana — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:25:42 +0000

By: Shana

Shana — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 13:17:41 +0000

By: Vicki

Vicki — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 10:29:02 +0000

All you say is reasonable and right. I was a stable hand in my youth. It’s a hard,thankless job.

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 10:06:39 +0000

I always respect the barn workers maybe because I did self care for so long and know how hard the job actually is. I always remember them at Christmas and on often bring a special treat to show my appreciation.

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:04:39 +0000

Your horse knows your barn workers better than he/she know their owner. Your barn worker feels real affection for your horse and puts massive effort into your horses health and comfort. When you don’t come out all winter because you are cold or busy, your horse looks to your barn worker for their every need including affection. Please remember that when you horse is difficult to catch or won’t behave for you, he may not recognize you. They see us every day throughout the day – not just a hour here and there.
I am always stunned by the owner that assumes the horse feels about them like they feel about beloved Aunt Sally they see once a year at the holidays. Horses do not feel the same way humans do. They see us as their humans by and large. You are just the person that shows up with carrots twice a week. Or works the snot out of them once a month and leaves them hot and dirty in the stall for the barn worker to deal with.
Lastly, sometimes things go wrong. When you are not here every day, you do not know that the tractor has been in the shop for 3 weeks, the broom snapped a hour before you got here and that your horse JUST drained their water bucket. We do the best we can with what we have, If something is wrong, it probably won’t be “wrong” next time you come out.

By: lisa

lisa — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 19:29:56 +0000

Bless you for speaking out…the horses cannot.

By: Barn Worker

Barn Worker — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:18:09 +0000

As a barn worker, the first and last ones on this list are definitely my favorites. I am a “barn worker” and love each and every one of the 20 horses we have at our barn. And I mean that, truly. I love them all and really, truly, do care about their health and happiness. Even when I’m not working, I worry about them. I put in the extra effort in absolutely EVERY aspect of barn work. Most of what I do goes unnoticed, which is fine with me because I do what I do for the love of your horse(s), but a simple “thank you” goes a REALLY long way with me… so don’t forget to spend time with your horse(s) and thank us barn workers for caring for your “children” when you can’t be there… we do a lot more than you think we do. 🙂