STABLE MANAGEMENT

By Eleanor Blazer

 

 

 

LESSON TWELVE

  

DEALING WITH HUMANS

 

          Most stable managers will agree, caring for the horses is the easy part of the job.  It’s the humans who make the job difficult.  But humans pay the bills. 

 

          Don Blazer, who teaches the online course The Business of Making Money with Horses, says: “The stable manager, instructor, trainer, breeder or pin-hooker (a reseller of horses) is in the look good – feel good business.  If the client looks good and feels good, he is happy.”

 

          This is also true of employees.  If your employees feel appreciated, are treated well and feel they are a valued part of the business – it will pay off. 

 

CLIENTS

         

          Contracts:

          To avoid problems you need a contract.  The contract needs to clearly state what is being provided, fees, restrictions, barn rules, emergency contacts, insurance information, health or injury clauses and the ramifications if non-payment occurs.  Don’t put anything in the contract you are not willing to enforce or perform.

          (For reliable advice about making contracts and other legal issues pertaining to horse businesses enroll in the online course Legal Aspects of Horse Management.)

          There are many examples of contracts on the internet – some free and some not.  Do research and read examples of contracts.  You can make your own by learning from others.  Click here to see an example of a boarding contract.

 

          You need a contract even if you are keeping a horse for your best friend. 

 

          Collecting Payment:

          You can’t maintain a profitable business without income.  You have bills to pay.  The hay supplier, farrier, feed store and veterinarian expect immediate payment…and so should you. 

 

          Your contract should state in plain English what the fees are, when payment is expected, late fees and what will happen if payment is not made.  It is up to you to enforce the contract.  You can make exceptions, but be prepared to deal with the consequences.

 

EMPLOYEES

        You may decide you want to hire help.

 

          Before hiring please contact your insurance company.

 

          Just like the boarding contact you need to write down what is expected of your employee or employees.  This is called a job description.  I suggest you do this before hiring anyone.  Review the list of duties and skills you need for the job.  Hiring a person to clean stalls requires different skills than  hiring someone to halter break foals or handle horses.

 

          Locating Labor:

          It is very common for boarding stables to have boarders working in exchange for a lower board fee.  If this is the case, it must be stated in the boarding contract.  Document what is expected – for example; the cleaning of six stalls every day in exchange for a discount of $50.00 per month.

 

          Many times boarders will help during busy times.  An example of this would be helping when the annual hay delivery arrives.  Despite the hard work, this can be a fun time – have pizza delivered and show your appreciation.

 

          The benefits of having boarders able to feed, clean stalls and turnout horses is a blessing.  Should you become sick or have an emergency you know care of the horses is in the hands of people you know.

 

          Hiring outside help is a little trickier.

 

          The next step, after writing the job description, is determining the pay scale.  Legally you must pay at least minimum wage.  If you are going to pay by the number of stalls cleaned, the number of hours actually worked divided by the amount paid, the result must equal minimum wage.

 

          Most countries have an official minimum wage.  Check with your country’s government.  A simple internet search will usually give you the amount.

         

          Once you have your job description organized and have determined the pay rate, it’s time to advertise.  This can be as simple as posting flyers at the feed store, running an ad or spreading the word among the local equine community.  Be sure you include your contact information, the times you can be reached and what is expected.

 

          When prospects start to respond, you will want to schedule interviews.  You may want them to fill out an application.  There are basic job applications on the internet you can use as a guide.  In the United States there are discriminatory questions you are not allowed to ask, for example the date of birth for workers over 18 years of age.

 

          Age Restrictions – Many countries have laws regarding the hiring of children.  Individual states or providences also have their own laws.  For example, in the state of New York, minors of any age cannot work during school hours. To see a document from the state of New York click here.  Check with your local government offices if you are contemplating hiring a youngster.

 

          During the interview you will want to ask for references and previous experience with horses.  Have a few scenarios to ask the potential worker, such as: “What would you do if you found a horse cast?”  If he or she doesn’t know what “cast” means, you’ll have a good idea of the equine background.

 

          Don’t hire the person on the spot.  Give yourself time to check out references.

 

          The New Employee

          When you’ve made your decision and the new employee agrees to start, make a file.  Put all documents related to your employee in that file and keep it updated.  The file should contain a copy of the ad, the job application, resume’ (if one was presented), reference contacts and any notes you feel are important.  You should also have emergency contact information in case your worker is injured or becomes sick while working.

 

          Undocumented Workers – In the United States and many other countries it is illegal to hire non-citizens without proper documentation.  Check with your government.  Most countries have forms and protocol that needs to be followed when hiring workers.

 

          Workers Compensation – Employers in the United States and many other countries must offer Workers Compensation.  It is a form of insurance for workers who are injured on the job.

 

          In the United States employers who paid farm workers more than $1200.00 a year the previous year must pay into Workers Compensation.  It is not deducted from the worker’s pay, but is paid by the employer.  The New York Department of Labor has a general document about workers comp, click here.  Please check with your local government for rules about providing compensation if a worker is injured on the job.  Be sure to contact your insurance company.

 

          Taxes –   Lesson 13 covers basic information about withholding taxes from employees’ paychecks. Please contact a certified accountant regarding payroll taxes. 

         

INSURANCE

          Horse related activities can result in bodily injury or property damage to others for whom you are held liable.   

 

          Many states within the United States have an equine liability law.  Equine Limited Liability Laws are designed to limit the liability of equine professionals and event organizers in case of injury or death resulting from the risks inherent in participating in equestrian activities.  The words “inherent in” are important.  Theses laws do not provide protection against liability for risks created or increased by humans, such as loaning someone faulty tack or putting him on a horse without knowing he has the capability of handling it safely.  These laws are designed to address the fact that horses can react unpredictably to stimulus, and can hurt people in the process, even if everyone is careful. 

 

          Despite these Equine Liability Laws you will want to carry liability insurance.  The insurance company will help defray the cost of legal representation should you be sued.  If your state has an equine liability law in place, read the fine print.  It may state you must include certain clauses in your contract with the client. Consult an attorney for advice.

 

          If you board or train horses for other people you may consider insurance that will protect you from possible lawsuits resulting from the death or injury to those horses.

 

          Most countries offer liability insurance for equine related businesses.  Please protect yourself and research options. 

 

          American students interested in insurance can qualify for line item credits within a specific policy that can reduce annual insurance costs up to 15%. Go to http://www.horsecoursesonline.com/insurance.html for more information.

 

WORKING FOR OTHERS

          If you don’t own the facility, you will be working for others.  This course, and the other online courses offered by this program, will help you land a job and then keep it.  You will be unique because of your education and commitment.

 

          Don’t make the mistake of showing up for the job interview unprepared.  Have a neatly typed resume’ and be dressed appropriately.  Arrive a few minutes early – do not be late!

 

          Here’s a link to a basic resume’.  Click Here. http://www.horsecoursesonline.com/college/stablemanagement/lesson_12_resume.htm

 

          When you are hired and have settled into your position, do not become “lazy”.  Remember observation and the ability to fix problems immediately, is the key to success. 

 

          Working with horses is not an eight to five job.  But you are not stuck in an office and the rewards are great.  You are living your dream.  Please don’t take it for granted.  You are very fortunate!

 

ASSIGNMENT

1. Please send me your resume’ that you would provide for a stable management position.

2. Locate two contracts, online or by visiting a stable.  Read each one and tell me what you would change or add (if anything).  What do you like about the contract?

          Please send copies of the contracts by taking a picture of the contracts or sending me the link.

          The contracts can be for boarding, training, breeding, lessons or leasing.

 

                        Email: elblazer@horsecoursesonline.com

 

(There is no quiz for this lesson.)