Ok so I’m a huge over-thinker! I work at an equine therapy barn(largely run by volunteers as well) and they have started to allow me to do grain for the horses. They have all the bins labeled and lists for what they get and I just have to follow them and make sure they get the right stuff. And I always double and triple check but afterwards I’m so nervous I messed up! I’m like what if I gave one the wrong thing, they colic and die?! Like my brain just goes wild. I know I can’t be the only one who worries, and since it’s mainly run by volunteers there has to be some people that have messed up grain before. This is probably ridiculous but I would love some advice or someone who can relate.
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Ask your boss (or volunteer coordinator) what is the worst that can happen if you mess up.
Does any of the horses have a bad allergy or something where they absolutely cannot have the food that another horse gets?
In general, you are unlikely to hurt any the average horse by getting the buckets mixed up.
(If this is really bothering you to the point that it impacts your work, consider that you might want to talk to a professional about anxiety and how to deal with it. If that’s the case, I’m betting that this is not the only thing you react this way to.)
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None of them have any allergies that I know of. My only concern is that many of them are older horses. They usually all mostly get some variation of Triple Crown Senior, Hay Stretcher, Rice bran or Safe Choice with the occasional supplements but I know I never mess up the supplements. Thanks for the response
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Congrautlations! Sounds like you earned that responsibility!! in time you will feel better. Give it a couple of weeks and i’m sure you will feel more secure. Just ask the BO any time you have any questions. I’m sure BO will be impressed that you ask questions and are interested in doing everything right.
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Thank you this makes me feel better!!
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Honestly sounds like even if you did swap buckets they’ll be fine. Only major allergies or getting MUCH MUCH more than their usual would cause catastrophic damage.
My horses have definitely skipped a meal or gotten swapped buckets a couple times and they all survived - so no need to worry, just be careful and don’t get in a huge hurry!
Also if this anxiety affects your ability to do your job here in a reasonably relaxed and timely manner - it’s worth talking to someone about clinical anxiety. Sounds like overkill until you talk to someone and try some coping techniques or light meds. Really really helps (as someone who’s been there!)
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