Stable Management

Comments

• Stored Belongings

  And make sure that the client removes everything they own when they leave. I had a client and we mutually agreed that she needed to leave. As requested, I had the deposit refund check ready for her on the day she "moved". Unfortunately, she left an ATV (I knew about) and claims that she also left tack (I didn't know about) because she ran out of space and time. She cashed the deposit refund on the day she left to pay the deposit at the new barn and is now returning 4 months later to retrieve her ATV and tack. And it could get "messy" because we have no idea where this "stored tack" might be.

  Posted by Patti B January 28, 2012 12:27:41

• Sending clients on their way

  I choose to think of it as not a good fit rather than a failure. I agree that the horse world is a small one and reputation is very important but that works both ways. You risk losing established clients that are a good fit for your barn or potential clients that are considering a move when you have an owner/horse that takes more than their share of your time and attention on a regular basis.

  Posted by Joe Burke January 28, 2012 06:30:58

• Just be sure. . .

  Just be sure that you've done your best by these people and their horse, avoided prejudice, tackled their issues to the best of your ability and offered alternatives such as sale and replacement before sending them away. This is business and most of us need more, not less. If your barn is bulging now, you're lucky but one must be very careful to avoid a reputation for failure of any kind. Asking a client to leave because you think their horse is unworthy suggests that you failed to make it so.

  Posted by Catherine Cloud January 28, 2012 02:52:49