Oof. Guys. Today's confession? I think I'm going to have to make a big change, and I HATE change! Here's the story:
I'm having some trouble with my barn helper and I don't think I can fix it. Which is really hard as he's been my reliable helper for close to ten years now. But he's being careless. One day last week I looked outside and he had Shiny loose eating grass in my backyard. Shiny's not supposed to eat grass. And no horses should be loose anywhere outside of the paddocks or ring. And then this morning I went out to get in my truck and I see he's left the gate wide open. Now this is a secondary gate, so he did not let any horses loose (again) but still. That gate is there as a safety measure as my barn is right on a busy state road. It's the last line of defense before a loose horse could run into the street. It's to be kept closed at all times. And when I spoke to him about it he made out like it was no big deal. Mind you, I've had this talk with him MANY times. And what's different this time? He snickered at my reaction. Like it was funny. I felt like I was dealing with a petulant teenager. But this is a 50+ year old man.
Over the last several weeks I've found stall doors not latched, water buckets empty, manure left in the ring (we turn out in the ring), and hay not picked up. I spent two hours on Sunday picking hay out of the footing because he hasn't been picking it up after turnout. I know these are tedious tasks. But they need to be done. I don't have 50+ grand to redo my arena footing. And that's what will have to happen if they aren't done. I personally clean up Wednesdays (because my helper informed me this summer that he has to leave early on Wednesdays) and on the weekends when I do chores. So it's not like I'm asking for something I don't do myself.
And not to make it about money, but I'm paying him for a five hour day from when I used to have four horses, but he's only working about 3.5 hours. 2.5 on Wednesdays. I didn't want to cut his pay when I sold Pammon, so that's on me for being a nice person. But I'm feeling taken advantage of now that he's not getting all the tasks done on top of being careless.
I know what needs to be done, but man I hate change. I'm not sure I hate change more than I hate being let down and taken advantage of though. So anyway... if any of you know anyone in CT that would like a job, I'm looking for help!
Oof good luck!! I have a friend who says that relationships like this between humans often have a shelf life of 7 years (she said this about moving boarding barns lol), so maybe it’s just that time for you guys. Otoh it seems increasingly hard to find barn staff these days, esp if you want someone long term for a fairly part time gig. Not an easy problem to solve, good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh that is an interesting insight! She may be on to something!
DeleteAnd yes, also that. I tried an anonymous post on the facebook but got crickets. Probably because it was anonymous, but I don't want current helper to know I'm looking or he might just walk out and then I'll be in a bind.
There are too many good, hardworking, kind prospective barn staff out there to waste one's money on the surly and unreliable!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm thinking! Now I just need to figure out where to find them...
DeleteOh no good luck to you! All the people I know who have run or do run boarding barns have the same issue over time, a worker who started out great starts to flag or not do the work the same way and flakes. Fingers crossed someone wonderful comes along to take his place!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think people get a little too comfortable after a certain amount of time and don't think they're replaceable. But they ARE! (Hopefully at least....)
DeleteOur boarding barn is family owned and over the last couple of years, there have been a lot of significant changes. The full time barn help passed away in January of 2024. They've not had anyone full time since then. They'll go through phases where they have a group of people that do a good job and phases where things happen like fly sheets falling off the stall door, no one picking them up and they just get walked over. Our barn owner's husband was recently diagnosed with cancer that is likely terminal. She often does the morning and evening chores, but because of his diagnosis and fragile state, she had had to do more of the cattle ranch chores because he isn't able to. I fill in for a feeding shift from time to time and they have other people who do too, but it's frustrating to have things not be as they should when you pay for things to be taken care of a certain way. I certainly feel for our barn owner and her daughter who I take lessons from, it's an absolutely crap situation. I hope that you are able to find more detail oriented help. Good help can be so hard to find.
ReplyDeleteOh that is a sad situation! It is tough to find good help, and I think that makes it extra hard when the good gets bad.
DeleteUgh, I wish I lived near you because I would 100% accept payment in lobster rolls.
ReplyDeleteFor real though! Move to CT! We have dressage here!
DeleteThat is so irritating. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though? I think I'm taking it extra personally because I had a lot of trust in him. It's a real let down.
DeleteThat's definitely frustrating. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
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