Friday, April 15, 2011

Barn 4 (aka-Vet Barn)

So I don't think that techniqually it counts as barn 4 since we already live there, but since it is now an option I can add it to the mix. I had sent the vet an e-mail telling her about the first place I looked at and my concerns over the glass-legged mare. I told her I didn't want to leave, but that I felt horribly guilty at the deep discount she gives me, and it's not fair to her for me to assume that I can stay. I offered to work for her doing "whatever" to aleviate some of the guilt.

I got an e-mail from her offering to "hire" me to work off the board (I'd still pay what I'm paying) but would work at the barn for X number of hours so that I would work off the rest of the board. If that makes sense. We still need to sit down and go over it, but I'm excited that we might be able to stay longer term. I've already made appointments to go look at barns, and I might still do that in case for some reason I can't work enough for the vet.

6 comments:

SprinklerBandit said...

Another excellent option!! Fingers crossed for you guys.

Leah Fry said...

My friends are always super generous when I board my horses up there, so I know exactly how you feel.

Barbara said...

This sounds like the best idea - assuming you can put in the time and still have a life.

Jay Jennings said...

Don't do it!!!

Whenever you "work" for a barn either helping to pay off board or just volunteering to help out. You end up being just another part of the staff and socially your not viewed the same as the other full paying boarders. It'll end up in that your opinion or cares don't matter because your just another barn slave.

Don't do it, Don't do it, Don't do it!!!! I've made that mistake too many times early on in my horse career. Many many horror stores if you want me to share.

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

That's sad you've had bad experiences. I've actually had nothing but good experiences when I worked at barns. I was never viewed as a slave and always felt that my opinion was important because I worked there.

Achieve1dream said...

Reading the comments I was going to say I had a good experience working for a barn. I wasn't boarding there. I was working off lessons, but it was amazing. Everyone was always asking for my help and opinion because I worked there and I was twenty years younger than them lol. It was a very laid back dressage barn and most of the boarders were middle aged women coming back to riding after a long break, so maybe that's why. If it were a competitive show barn it might be different. Anyway I'm glad the vet is willing to work something out with you. You could learn so much working for them too. I loved working at a vet clinic. I learned so much even as a receptionist lol.