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Barn Help Vent

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  • #21
    Since when did this BB have to double duty as Politico and - in the case of My Mean Mama and Men Are Whistling At Me - the Dr Phil Show? It's a thread about barn help, not whether or now undocumented aliens are ruining the USA.

    Comment

    • #22
      Can I print out this thread?

      It is a high burnout job, especially if someone is working 6-7 days a week which is not uncommon with barn help. But, it is still no excuse not to call.

      I worked with one gal who *tried* to call out because she left her barn boots out in the rain and the insides were wet...lol Didn't go over well with our boss who told her to ring them out and get to work. She was there in 15 minutes...lol
      Last edited by Huntertwo; Jan. 25, 2009, 05:38 PM.
      MnToBe Twinkle Star: "Twinkie"
      http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...wo/009_17A.jpg

      Proud member of the "Don't rush to kill wildlife" clique!

      Comment

      • #23
        Originally posted by Huntertwo View Post
        Can I print out this thread and give it to my boss?

        I've been working 5 days a week at a stable for almost 6 months, never have taken a day off yet, and still can't get a raise... WTF?
        I'd like to do the same, but mine would fire me.

        7 days a week since July. Haven taken two days off total.
        Do no harm but take no s***
        Owned by Good Lil Train since 2014

        Comment

        • Original Poster
          #24
          findeight, You make some excellent points,and I think you are absolutely right,this should not be my problem or responsibility. I have allowed myself to be sucked into a situation that is really kind of crazy. I am only supposed to be riding horses,but have gotten myself involved in what looks alot like a barn management role.The people are way in over their heads trying to keep 17 horses with only one part time person .They both work full time ,and can't be there to oversee anything,and since this is purely a pleasure/hobby thing ,they are spending money out the wazoo and can't afford to pay for someone qualified to be there all day.
          The riding gig for me is a pretty good one,and I really like the lady I work for.I guess I feel sorry for her ,and want to help out where i can. Things would be much better if they could downsize to like 4 or 5 horses,which would make so much more sense all the way around. A horse for her,a horse for him ,and a horse for each of the 2 kids.Times being what they are,downsizing is easier said than done.Again,not my problem.
          The whole situation is unlike any i have encountered in this business ,and I have been in some strange ones. I need to just ride the horses,feed the kitteh's(another saga) ,shake my head,mumble to myself ,and go on my merry way.

          Comment

          • #25
            Originally posted by horsekpr View Post
            The whole situation is unlike any i have encountered in this business ,and I have been in some strange ones. I need to just ride the horses,feed the kitteh's(another saga) ,shake my head,mumble to myself ,and go on my merry way.
            Sounds like it. Perhaps try to define what the actual parameters of your job are with your employer: it certainly doesn't sound like it's your job to be hiring help or running things full time.
            ---
            They're small hearts.

            Comment

            • #26
              You get what you pay for. If you offer $20/hr and health benefits you'd have college graduates beating down your door with a stick. $10 and no benefits (do you even pay taxes or is it under the table?) buys you a part time employee who is ALWAYS looking for something better.

              Comment

              • #27
                Just a reminder re: some earlier comments to keep the discussion focused on the OT's horse-related situation, and not expand the topic to a larger policy/politics discussion.

                Thanks!
                Mod 1

                Comment

                • #28
                  Gunna try to keep it horse work related.

                  When poor Americans decide they to pick up my horses' crap for minimum wage I will hire them, but most decide it's below them. Yea, I said MOST! Heck I'd love to find a job around here mucking stalls, I hate serving food or sitting at a desk. And yes, I'd take the job for $6 an hour. But then again, I'm used to shoveling horse poo.

                  It is very hard to find good barn help, I've worked at 3 different barns over the years as mucker through assistant barn manager, and I've seen a lot of those that I worked with come and go quickly. But I also think that's pretty common for most low paying jobs too. Think about the turn around in places like WalMart, food industry, etc, when there's not a fast track to moving up most people aren't going to sit at making minimums, unless they are desperate.

                  And IMHO, I'd rather pay an illegal or legal immigrant who will do the job on time, follow directions, is safe with my horses and doesn't complain than someone who's not all those things. Complain about the outsourcing of McDonald's drive through order takers before you complain about stall muckers!
                  Fourth N' Goal Training LLC.
                  ~Specializing in Mom and Kid Approved Equitation and Jumper Horses

                  *Horse Collector Status = Six Pack*

                  Comment

                  • #29
                    Being fired for the first mistake the guy ever made seems pretty harsh, especially since the OP said he was a good worker otherwise. The best way to keep good barn help is to treat them with some dignity. I know... I was good barn help.

                    Comment

                    • #30
                      Originally posted by Woodland View Post
                      OMG - There is something in the air!

                      I had to talk with my barn help Sunday for bedding over pee spots, not showing up to clean because it was sub zero the week before w/o calling in, and then cussing out a wheel barrow so completely that it scared the crap out of a 9 yr old boarder. I have a No Cussing rule in the barn because there are so many children here and I find it a vile habit.

                      I told her she would have to come in and fix her mess and never ever ever swear in my barn again. I have not seen her since and her horse is here I am bringing her saddle in the house tonight so If she comes for the mare she will have to ask for the saddle.

                      I am super easy to work for, but this no show no call thing REALLY PISSES ME OFF!!!!

                      I have a new person starting tomorrow at 1 PM - it sucks working all day and cleaning all night

                      I hate barn help!

                      Mexico???Are they legal??? I have have had hard workers of various races over the last 4 decades - all were legal to work here or I would not have hired them!
                      i think REALLY PISSES ME OFF might come under your NO CUSSING rule. furthermore it is not kosher to take someone's saddle and keep it in your house to assist you in having a showdown at the okay corral.

                      Comment

                      • #31
                        Originally posted by BumbleBee View Post
                        What would make a horse bad enough to call it a POS?
                        In my case? One that repeatedly tries to kick me in the head.
                        Do no harm but take no s***
                        Owned by Good Lil Train since 2014

                        Comment

                        • #32
                          Originally posted by fair judy View Post
                          i think REALLY PISSES ME OFF might come under your NO CUSSING rule. furthermore it is not kosher to take someone's saddle and keep it in your house to assist you in having a showdown at the okay corral.

                          Whoa, I missed that one!

                          Uh, Woodland, you steal my saddle deerie, and that's the last thing you are going to do. Yes, you STOLE that girls saddle, not appropriate no matter what you think she's done to you.

                          Oh, and get a clue. Not every "Mexican" is illegal. Nor are the folks who come from other Spanish speaking countries.

                          Horsekpr said:
                          "The people are way in over their heads trying to keep 17 horses with only one part time person ."

                          Wow. Uh, if somebody offered me a PART TIME job of caring for 17 horses, I'd tell them to go fly a kite. I wouldn't even start the job, I'd just leave. That's nuts. They need to hire a REAL FULL TIME person and leave you out of this. They've placed far too much on you and the poor soul trying to squeeze a full time job into part time hours.

                          You do get what you pay for. Seriously, if somebody is desparate enough to take a job like that, they are probably going to have issues of their own. Like an unreliable car or a cell phone that gets shut off.

                          I interviewed a guy for a job once who never showed up at Personnel to fill out the paper work. I assumed he couldn't pass the background check and was too embarassed to tell me as such. (County owned barn, thier policy, not mine, everybody got fingerprinted) Anyhoo, about a month later he shows up looking again. Apparently he didn't have transportation to the barn. Once he procured a bicycle, he came back. I believe the little witch I had up there trying to force me to quit hired him. (not her job or 'place' to do so) Not sure how it worked out as I'd finally given up on the job and was leaving soon. (sister, if you want to be the manager of a crummy hack barn, be my guest, I plan on moving up in the world) AT $7 an hour, I got what the County paid for. Several pleasant, semi-reliable part-timers that had no motivation to work hard and with any speed. And I suffered for it, greatly. Ask Lauren!, she'll tell you.

                          Comment

                          • Original Poster
                            #33
                            On previous threads there have been discussions about the going rate for barn help. The consensus seemed to be that 10.00 an hour was pretty standard,and I believe that to be so in this area.
                            Silver 2 ,do you know of any farms that pay 20.00 an hour , plus benefits,for someone to feed and muck stalls????
                            That being said it is possible to do that job on a part time basis,as it is an hour to feed and then out,and a couple of hours to do the stalls ,usually. Only 6 of those horses normally stay in at night ,evryone else goes out after feeding. I got that part done in 2 hours the other day .now if I had another hour and a half I could have picked the other stalls,filled the waters,set hay ,and blown the aisle. So generally doable in 3 and 1/2 hours .If all that is done the evening chorse are just bringing in ,feeding ,and turning back out. Do able in an hour. The couple of guys we have had ,have been able to knock it out easy in that time. the American girls who seem to move much more slowly,take longer.
                            I did speak with the boss lady about the reality of the situation having got out of hand and she realizes they need to down size.Her husband who has been the one who has aquired all the misc. horses is now seeing the light,it seems ,and is ready to pare down. How this wiill all occur ,I am not sure,but I will likely end up with a lot less work as far as riding ,which is bad for me,but honestly they need to do something.

                            Comment

                            • #34
                              Originally posted by Silence View Post
                              In my case? One that repeatedly tries to kick me in the head.
                              YEAH THAT SEAMS FAIR TO ME

                              Comment

                              • #35
                                if this was a regular 9 - 5 job that you recently hired someone to do and they never showed up or called would you let them continue working for you? why should it matter if its a barn job or an office job. the worker was irresponsible, while mistakes happen what would have happened if the OP didn't show up to find the guy didn't show up and a horse was colicing or caught in a fence or something? people wouldn't be defending this guy so quick if it was their horse!

                                we own a small business, we hired someone that didn't show up one day after working for us for only a week as well, we called around looking for him (which we shouldn't have had to but we did), the guy finally calls 6 hours later giving a simular excuse, well, after we lost a $500 job because he didn't show up or call, (they called someone else,) we could have saved the job if we would have been given warning, but this guy didn't think it was a big deal!) I don't give second chances to people like this!

                                if you don't show up and refuse to call, you get no sympathy from me! sorry but even if you don't have a cell phone there are still phones you can use out there, their called pay phones or even business will let you use theirs if its local and you explain what is going on!

                                Comment

                                • #36
                                  The op stated he was also feeding and I think doing T/O's. Just because he wasn't getting paid a ton of money does not excuse him from letting her know he wouldn't be in. I have worked in many barns in my life and I would never just not show up. Those are living animals depending on him for food, water etc. And didn't she say he had a cell phone but it was turned off?
                                  To me that shows he is not responsible and doesn't really care about the job. If for whatever reason I couldn't make it to work, I would make sure I let my boss know no matter what it took. That is an employee's obligation. And I would never expect excuses such as, well she's only a stall cleaner and doesn't make much money so no cell phone...there still are pay phones out there, to get me a second chance. Maybe I was just raised with a higher work ethic.

                                  Comment

                                  • Original Poster
                                    #37
                                    Thank you melz and shade. I don't think it matters what the job pays.If you want to keep it,then you need to call if you can't make it.If i hadn't turned up,the horses would have been standing in all day with no food or water.If it was just cleaning stalls ,it wouldn't have been such a big deal.With the very cold weather,horses standing in for 24 hours with no food or water might have gotten sick as well as been hungry,thirsty,and stressed.

                                    Comment

                                    • #38
                                      I'm behind you saying you did the right thing. He left those horses high and dry and that is not acceptable, period. I'm sorry you got sucked into this situation. You must be an awesome friend to do so much above and beyond what you are there to do for these owners. I hope they find someone great soon.

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