Spinoff: do you tip farriers, chiropracters, instructors?

[twofatponies]

In another thread someone mentioned in passing tipping their farrier.

Honestly, it had never occurred to me. I also think if it were customary in my region my previous trainers, BOs etc would have said "Hey, don't forget to tip the farrier".

Does anyone else tip horse-service people? Which ones?

I always get Christmas presents for the vet, farrier, BO, etc. but I never thought of tipping.

Thoughts? Have I been clueless for eight years, or is it just different in different barns?

[cloudyandcallie]

I give a cash Xmas present from my horses. Don't tip during the year but I supply Cokes and cold drinks, am always ready with clean dry hooves and never complain about cost of services, and pay for them.

If everyone gave a cash Xmas present, oops, forgot, I gave my old farrier a cash birthday present also, then it will really add up for farriers who do a lot of horses.

[BuddyRoo]

I always tip my farrier. (well , I did...til it became me.)

[asterix]

No. They are professionals, doing a professional service (very well, at least mine do!), with professional rates. I don't expect anyone to tip me in my profession either.
I do do Xmas presents, either something small and useful, or home made treats, or cash depending on the person.

[Guilherme]

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: The farrier gets a beer in the summer if we're his last stop. He gets a couple of bottles of good wine (one red, one white) at Christmas.

G.

[Bluey]

Our farriers generally get some extra for "gas money" and no one has returned it yet.;)

As an instructor or trainer, I never would have accepted a tip, but maybe some do?

[jaimebaker]

I give a Christmas bonus to my farrier but that's it. It's not the wait staff industry where you make $2 and change an hour. I'm paying $100 an hour for farrier work. I don't think that requires a tip. My horses are generally well behaved and I always offer beverages. And same goes for vets. I do have one vet that's dirt cheap because she's an independent vet (no clinic). I do tip her on occasion. When I can get 6 horses teeth floated plus that drive there for $300 I almost feel guilty paying that small of a bill. My other vets are sky freakin high and aren't what I'd call superb vets either. I haven't used a vet yet that wasn't wrong on something within the first visit. Sucks but that's how it is around here.

I took a one hour lesson one time (stress the one time part) and for the first 20 minutes, I had to groom the horse, get caked off mud off and tack him up. I should have gotten a tip if you ask me.

It's not that I don't appreciate my horse care professionals, but I'm not gonna tip them. I pay enough for the services I need.

[PNWjumper]

I tip my farrier each time, but he's the only horse professional that I tip. And I don't tip a lot, usually around $25 on a $500(ish) vet bill for my 5-6 horses depending on who's here at the moment.

With that being said, my farrier is absolutely brilliant and I rely on him heavily. He comes from over 100 miles away and doesn't charge me a "call fee" (like my vet does for different areas) or anything in addition to what he charges all of his [much closer] clients. I hugely appreciate that he's willing to trek out to me, so I guess I would consider it more "gas money" than a legitimate tip.

[Nezzy]

i have never tipped my farrier but i have also wondered if i am supposed to. I always pay the day of service, never bounced a check, offer cold or hot drinks depending on the weather, but i really don't know if i am supposed to tip the farrier. Ugh. Maybe i should ask over on Horseshoes?

[Rhyadawn]

Not a tip, but a Christmas present of either homemade goodies or timmy's bucks (Tim Hortons gift cards)

I've also had a couple times where my bill has been more than I was told it would be (because medications weren't added before hand), and when I mailed the cheque (same day) I added a gift card with it as thanks for them being so understanding. *I wish my vet would start taking plastic*

[sidepasser]

I tip my farrier when he comes out, as he is prompt and does a good job on my horses. Also tip him in another way which he likes - I make sure my horses stand quietly for him, they are up in the stalls when he arrives, all are fly sprayed down before he starts work on them and their hooves are clean and dry.

It makes all the difference in the world to have a good farrier, especially since I don't have a huge barn - generally only three or four horses to do, and only one of them gets shoes. He travels over an hour one way to get to me so I feel a tip is in order. I generally tip the amount of his gas to come - averages about 10 - 20 dollars.

[Highflyer]

Nope, although I do give Christmas presents and thank yous (usually homemade cookies) if they do something extra. It seems a little insulting to tip someone who makes more money than I do--of course so do most waitresses!

[Foxtrot's]

No, I don't. But sometimes I feel a bit guilty, but I'm not starting a new tradition around here. In the very hot weather I did give $10.00 to the guy who stacked my hay order
(about 20 bales) and it was not l0 or 15 percent, but just said, "Thanks very much. Here, go have a cool one on me." He seemed a bit surprized, but grateful enough.

[twofatponies]

I guess I'm more likely to tip someone who isn't a regular service provider. For example a guy who drops off firewood, and helps me stack it; or the guys who deliver furniture or appliances. I figure they aren't making tons, they come from far away, and if they are helpful and put some extra effort in I'll give them $20 or something.

But the vet is on a "tab" (paid automatically via credit card) and the farrier is expensive, and I'm on her circuit. The horses are always groomed, dry and well-behaved.

This is the first barn in a while I've been at that has a BM (others were family run), so I will probably get her a gift card for the holidays. But cash would feel weird.

[Vitriolic]

I think it is nice that people with a horse or two tip the farrier. Ours gets to do 20 at a time at the same rate others pay, but I still try to pay attention to things he likes or needs and help with references or things he can use. Most would be delighted if everyone paid promptly!

The vet and I exchange pretty big Christmas presents. I have had adored coaches that I don't tip, but again try to help and give a good Christmas present to. :)

[Nanerpus]

I tip for farrier work, dentistry, hay, and instruction. My vet/chiropractor always gets a $100 gift card to Starbuck's at christmas, and my farrier the same for Agway/Blue Seal, etc.

[kipster]

I don't tip the professionals who help take care of my horses - vet, farrier, instructor. I do tip my farrier when he comes out on short notice for an abscess or pulled shoe. Otherwise they each charge a 'travel' fee and for their services.
I do give holiday gifts and birthday presents to them.

[BestHorses]

I don't tip the farrier on a regular basis. I usually tip at Christmas. When my horse pulled a shoe while playing mustang with his buddies barely five hours after he got his shoes put on, the farrier drove over immediately (at 8:30 pm) to fix it and didn't charge me. After that I got him a $20 gift certificate to Dunkin Donuts which he said I really didn't need to do, but I want to keep him happy and willing to rush over to my house immediately if I have a problem. :D

I normally give gifts/cash to my trainer at Christmas. Never the vet - they charge a lot and it's a big practice with multiple vets. I give the hay guy water/gatorade and $20 for lunch because loading hay is a miserable job!

[camohn]

In another thread someone mentioned in passing tipping their farrier.

Honestly, it had never occurred to me. I also think if it were customary in my region my previous trainers, BOs etc would have said "Hey, don't forget to tip the farrier".

Does anyone else tip horse-service people? Which ones?

I always get Christmas presents for the vet, farrier, BO, etc. but I never thought of tipping.

Thoughts? Have I been clueless for eight years, or is it just different in different barns?

Just at Christmas

[Coppers mom]

We gave the farrier a pretty big tip after he helped my horse heal much faster from a fractured coffin bone. The vets were pretty surprised at how fast he healed, and said it was all thanks to the farriery. He came out every three weeks, hand made a special shoe, and was just fantastic.

Other than circumstances like that, we don't usually tip. We do give presents though.

[Marshfield]

I would be floored if a client tried to tip me (veterinarian and chiropractor). My support staff always loves chocolate and we have had clients bring us those.

[twofatponies]

We gave the farrier a pretty big tip after he helped my horse heal much faster from a fractured coffin bone. The vets were pretty surprised at how fast he healed, and said it was all thanks to the farriery. He came out every three weeks, hand made a special shoe, and was just fantastic.

Other than circumstances like that, we don't usually tip. We do give presents though.

I think I would give a gift for an unusual situation like that, too. For that matter to the vet, too, if there was an emergency or something special like a foaling where they came out at all hours to deal with an unusual circumstance.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Bogie]

I don't tip per se, but I do share my audible books with them. I have my farrier and vet drop off their Ipods with me and I load them up with books. I know they spend a lot of time in their cars driving.

[mswillie]

I don't.

I think special occasion gifts are fine. I'd opt for the candy, food, wine type gifts, nothing extravagant and in the case of a veterinary practice maybe something that can be enjoyed by the entire staff.

For example, I bought taffy for the staff at the vet's office when they boarded my diabetic cat while I was on vacation. They always go way beyond the minimum and take such good care of him, give him tons of attention, and he always comes home well groomed and obviously content. On the other hand, I was charged a good chunk of change for the service so I really don't think money, in the form of a tip, was required.

Gifts to show appreciation for a job done over and above that which is normally expected is one thing, but tipping on a regular, on-going basis? No way. These people are professional, not in the minimum wage or less service industry and I would expect that they include incidentals such as travel time in their billing. I would no sooner tip a vet than I would my doctor, teachers, pharmacist, etc.

I'm not cheap and I always tip well for meals and other services where the employees depend on their tips (and often pay taxes on a percentage of their sales) but I personally think the culture of tipping just about everyone for simply doing their jobs has gotten really out of hand.

Just my 2 cents.

[Ajierene]

I have enough trouble just paying my farrier and trainer!

As a matter of fact, I still owe my trainer for my last lesson - she yet again left without getting the money. Sometimes I have to chase her down or I pay her before the lesson so neither one of us forgets. She NEVER has once asked for payment for a lesson.

My farrier - well, last time he was out, I had taken cash out since I ran out of checks. I ask how much I owe him every time he comes out and does the same exact thing with my horse and he says anywhere from $50 to $65. $65 is VERY reasonable for what he does and the mare he deals with, but sometimes he charges me less. Well, I had taken $60 out and mentioned that I hoped I had enough cash on me and jokingly said I only had $20....something I said made him worried that I was short on cash and kept asking if I really wanted to give him the entire $60! He would have taken $20 from me and never asked for more - for two new front shoes!

He was just here this weekend, as my mare threw one of her shoes a few days after he put it on....here, on a Saturday...refused to take any money from me....and since she tossed it at a competition, during cross country most likely, I did not have that shoe for him to just put back on, so he put another new shoe on...

I have not given Christmas presents in the past, though both more than deserve them - but that was because of a lack of money. This year is looking good, so presents are on the radar. Of course, in the case of my trainer - I will be looking for some long lasting fly spray...definitely not extravagant, but useful and she's the type that doesn't *need* anything.

[sketcher]

I give my farrier a $20 tip every time. I only have on horse who is a trim and he doesn't have many clients close to me right now. If he builds up his business or I have more horse or a I want it to be worth it for him

[Wayside]

Not normally, but I have been known to add a tip or small gift if I felt that person somehow went above and beyond.

And I do try and do my part, and have horses caught and ready to go, and I always make it clear to the farrier that a bathroom and hot/cold drinks are available.

Sometimes I'll give small gifts for special occasions. The BM at the last barn I was at always received a case of beer and a bag of dog treats for Xmas (he was a simple man who loved his Rottie). At thie barn I'm at now, the boarders all chip in a little for a joint gift for the BO at the holidays. And I sent flowers when someone very close to my instructor passed away.

Frequently I'll "share the wealth" when I make obscene amounts of currant jelly, for example. BO's kids thought the peach-current preserves were fabulous this year :winkgrin:''

[greysandbays]

... but I personally think the culture of tipping just about everyone for simply doing their jobs has gotten really out of hand.


Yup. I dislike the concept of "tipping" so much that I'd rather skip a meal than eat at a restaurant where tips are expected. I either pack what I'll need from home, hit the drive-through, or grab a mini-pizza at a convenience store.

[equineartworks]

Yup. I dislike the concept of "tipping" so much that I'd rather skip a meal than eat at a restaurant where tips are expected. I either pack what I'll need from home, hit the drive-through, or grab a mini-pizza at a convenience store.

In situations like restaurants, please bear in mind that the server who takes care of your table is most likely making $3-4 per hour less than minimum wage because they receive tips. The tips they receive become part of their hourly wage. I employed about 15 of the areas best servers, and they were paid $3.60 per hour in 2003, which was more than what was required at that time. On average they would leave each night on the weekends with $3-400 in tips with the average tab being $150. They worked their you know whats off for that money and deserved every cent they got. Of course there was always the group of people who are cheap and reward EXCELLENT service with a $10 tip on a party of 5, but that is reality and they plan ahead for that.

My farrier, my vet and my other professional service providers are paid a fair wage for what they deliver. They own their own businesses for the most part and I do not tip them. I will always make sure they have cold/hot drinks, access to the house to clean up, even something to eat if it is late. And I do send them off with bottles of homemade wine, eggs, and other gifts from the farm. I adore them and want them to know how much I appreciate them! But no...they are not tipped. I also do not tip my stylist since she owns her own shop. In general, I tip waitstaff and service people.

[kookicat]

Over here, we don't tip very often (at least not in this area). Rather than give money, I feed my farrier and vet. :D They get hot or cold drinks, and sandwiches or toast depending on the weather. I'll also give them a bottle of whiskey/rum/etc at Christmas.

[twofatponies]

In situations like restaurants, please bear in mind that the server who takes care of your table is most likely making $3-4 per hour less than minimum wage because they receive tips. The tips they receive become part of their hourly wage. I employed about 15 of the areas best servers, and they were paid $3.60 per hour in 2003, which was more than what was required at that time. On average they would leave each night on the weekends with $3-400 in tips with the average tab being $150. They worked their you know whats off for that money and deserved every cent they got. Of course there was always the group of people who are cheap and reward EXCELLENT service with a $10 tip on a party of 5, but that is reality and they plan ahead for that.

My farrier, my vet and my other professional service providers are paid a fair wage for what they deliver. They own their own businesses for the most part and I do not tip them. I will always make sure they have cold/hot drinks, access to the house to clean up, even something to eat if it is late. And I do send them off with bottles of homemade wine, eggs, and other gifts from the farm. I adore them and want them to know how much I appreciate them! But no...they are not tipped. I also do not tip my stylist since she owns her own shop. In general, I tip waitstaff and service people.

Restaurants are a whole different thing, to my mind. We have a long tradition here (US) of tipping in restaurants being customary, and workers wages are designed around it.

In other fields of employment, it's not the same - your doctor isn't making $4/hour and hoping for tips to make up the rest of a living wage.

It's interesting in some other countries restaurant staff are paid a normal wage and tipping is not customary.

[Auventera Two]

I am not a farrier, but I trim horses and do boot fitting and sales. There are 2 or 3 people who tip me, the rest do not. I set professional rates, and I don't expect a tip.

A tip should be given when someone goes above and beyond the call of duty. One owner offered me a 20 dollar tip for dropping everything, rescheduling the calendar, and driving out to see her horse same-day. But for ordinary appointments, and ordinary services? No.

Restaurants are different because servers work well below minimum wage, and you pay them according to how good their service is. I have no problem tipping 25% if the service is great. If I barely get a head nod and my coffee is always cold and empty, then forget it sweetheart. I don't care if you have to feed your family on 4 dollars an hour. That' your choice. Really good servers can make triple in a day what most of us do. :eek: It's all about how much effort they want to put out and how dedicated they are to their job, and their pay check.

[Valentina_32926]

No.

AT Xmas I buy my trainers a present.

[dmj]

No. It never even occurred to me. I pay my bills on time.

I do sing my farrier's praises to all who will listen, and have gotten him new clients over the years he has shod my horse.

[trubandloki]

Nope!

I provide the vet and the farrier with cold or hot drinks (depending on the season) and snacks (cookies, fruit, etc).

At Christmas I give my wonderful farrier a gift card that I know he can use (Wegmans, can't go wrong with Wegmans).

[Ozone]

Farrier gets lunch and coffee/beer every time he visits, no tip but present at Xmas. He is thee best~

Chiropractor I do tip, usually $25 to $30.00 extra because he sees my horse in a pinch when my horse needs him the most. He is very busy and I need my horse sound so the tip is worth it!

Vet - never they robb the crap outta me... why should I encourange the robbing :)

[cloudyandcallie]

You guys give your farriers beer? To drink right there?:eek: I don't want my farrier drinking beer before he comes to my barn.
When I was growing up, our farrier, who was great, was an alcoholic and he was always grumpy and hungover when he got to my horses. Did a great job though, altho both the horses and I were scared of him.
My farrier gets cokes, and occasionally I add some $ for lunch, plus the Xmas/birthday $, but no booze.:lol: (I pay for corrective shoeing and glue and extras, so my bill ranges up to 250$ on one horse every 5 weeks.)

[Tiger Horse]

In another thread someone mentioned in passing tipping their farrier.

Honestly, it had never occurred to me. I also think if it were customary in my region my previous trainers, BOs etc would have said "Hey, don't forget to tip the farrier".

Does anyone else tip horse-service people? Which ones?

I always get Christmas presents for the vet, farrier, BO, etc. but I never thought of tipping.

Thoughts? Have I been clueless for eight years, or is it just different in different barns?

I tip my trimmer, give him a check and some cash - figure he can buy lunch, etc on the way home.

Always tip the barn helper @ Christmas - figure he could use the cash during the holidays - he feeds and cleans stalls.

[kbbarn]

No tip for professional services since these Pros set their own rate for service ( vets, farrier, hay guy). They have set prices, I pay their price.

I do get the farrier/trimmers a gift certificate to a local tack shop at christmas. If hay guy brings me a load of hay near christmas, gift cert for him.

[HiddenAcres]

I tip the farrier. It's 98 degrees out there, the barn owner watches him take buckets of water out of the trough and STILL doesn't offer him an icey drink!(Yes, she is standing there with one!)

It is such hard physical work to do hooves - I am grateful for the good work.

As for pricing including enough to make a living for these and other equine professionals, they have to be competitive in their markets. Sometimes that's not enough to make a living. How many hay guys - or even farriers - do you know that have health insurance?

In the Houston area, I pay $40 for trims. People complain about the price all the time, as it was "stuck" at $30 around here forever. How nuts is that?

[Ride2Dreams]

Like many others I tip at Christmas time. But I am always sure to supply drinks and a snack for human and dog (farrier comes equipped with an incredibly well behaved Jack Russel which I let play around the farm).

Exceptions are emergencies. If they go above and beyond due to extreme circumstances I will tip at that instance.

[elleng0728]

We have a mandatory farm hand bonus that we must participate in during the holiday time. My horse is field boarded so not a whole lot required of the farm hands. Otherwise no I do not tip the people that care for my horse.

[JumpWithPanache]

I only tip if there are extraordinary circumstances. For instance, my farrier waited for the vet to arrive (about an hour late) so we could do x-rays and vet/farrier consult. Or if he comes out other than scheduled to re-attach a shoe. Christmas present definitely!