Most (but of course not all) of us keep our horses at boarding facilities. So unless you work at a co-op barn, or own your own place, you’ve learned the value of a good barn manager.

I’ve learned over the years that a barn manager can make all the difference in the world, that a so-so facility can be the best option with a good person in charge, and likewise a great place with a poor manager is reason for instantaneous departure.

These good barn managers are worth their weight in gold in my eyes. And the qualities that make them so valuable?

First and foremost, they put the horses first. They are observant, and take the time to notice if something is out of sorts with a horse, whether that be suspicious rolling or a lost shoe. And they communicate- keeping the owner or leaser in the loop and collaborating on details such as nutrition and turnout. They do the absolute best with what they have to create a safe place for the horses, even though that may mean taking on tedious projects and longer hours in return. And all this, often with no extra reward or compensation. Pretty much, they are gator-driving, muck shoveling angels.

To show appreciation for the hard work that these guys (or gals) put in, I like to try to make things easier for them wherever possible. If smartpaks make life easier, I’ll order smartpaks. I’ll make horse cookies to stuff medication in, so he doesn’t have to wonder if the horse got his meds. I’ll pick out the stall whenever I have time, refill the water, and change blankets when need be. And when helping out isn’t possible, I’ll bring beer as a token of appreciation.

I know I’m not alone, as I see many of my fellow boarders put in these little “favors” to help a good manager out. After all, we all know how lost we would be without them.

What do you do to help barn management? If you own a facility yourself, what do/could your boarders do to help you?

I don’t like it when a horse has bad ground manners. Horses are large creatures, and there needs to a mutual respect between handler and horse that includes not getting trod on, shoved around, or generally bullied.

Whenever I start working with a new horse, or even a foal, my view to instilling good manners doesn’t include coercing the horse into good behavior. Instead, I try to put the horse in situations where the behavior I want is the easiest and most obvious option for the horse to try.

For instance (aside: yes, get ready for some of my own training theory- not like I came up with it all but whatevs), starting with cross tying a weanling. I don’t immediately go to the cross ties, as the stimuli associated with these might make the horse feel trapped, and it would be my fault if they gave the wrong response due to their flight instinct. So instead, we start with leading. Moving forward while being attached to a lead rope gets them used to the idea of being controlled by their head, but constant movement means that there is little sense of claustrophobia involved. Once leading is old hat, then we progress to standing with the leadline.

I don’t like to give babies treats, because I think there is some danger of creating nippy horses that way, so instead positive reinforcement comes with scratches, words of encouragement, and attention. Keeping the sessions short, once standing in place becomes a concept, then I will slowly introduce the cross tie- one side at a time. Always short, always rewarding, and always allowing the horse an easy way to choose the best behavior.

Sometimes though, when working with horses, we inherit another person’s bad training, or the horse’s personal baggage, that creates for bad manners on the ground. I know I have seen plenty of horses that shove their humans around, using their head or shoulders, and these in particular are my pet peeves. I’d more easily forgive a horse who didn’t willingly pick its feet up, or one that didn’t take the bridle so easily, but that’s just me.

What are your pet peeves when it comes to ground manners? How do you like to approach teaching good ground manners? Have you ever inherited sticky issues with bad behaviors that you’ve had to solve?

So, basically, I’m a terrible person. But I suppose in my defense, I’ve been a little distracted- for obvious reasons.

Still, I wish I had my sh*t together like StampyandtheBrain, who sent me this completely time-appropriate Secret Santa Gift that I absolutely love!

First, let’s all acknowledge the hilarious hipster deer card, and how much I appreciate quirky stuff.

Then, Foster got himself a bag of treats, and the wrapped item (which was confusingly heavy when I picked it up!) turned out to be a Himalayan salt block for his stall! Foster has given both of these presents two thumbs hooves up, as evidenced by the now semi-deteriorated block that hangs near his food. I would have taken a photo, but again- I don’t have my sh*t together these days.

Thank you so much, Phoenix and Stampede, for the lovely treaties! And thank you to Tracy at Fly on Over for hosting the exchange!

So many more reasons to spoil and pamper Foster, who is very appreciative!

Things I’m hoping to find: A bee-yutiful place that actually has room for the spotted pony to hang out for 8 months where he will get love and attention and not break my budget.

Things I’m hoping will find me: An amazing individual who thinks spotted ponies are the best, and their greatest life’s ambition is to stuff one full of treats and hack through the woods.

Things that haven’t happened yet: Either of the above.

So that’s where we are right now. It’s keeping me up at night, and between thinking about it, and contacting people, being sleep-deprived, and everything else, well… blogs have fallen by the wayside a bit. Meanwhile I am reading all of your comments and please know that they are still appreciated and very much helpful and brighten my day.