Tipping barn staff?

[Lieslot]

Ughhh, that time of year again.
I recently moved to a new facility and the staff is really good with my horse.
There’s one groom who takes care of my horse 90% and 3 others who take turns when the main groom is not around.

I don’t know how much $ to give for Christmas? What do most folks give on avg.
Would you tip all 4 grooms the same amount or the assigned groom to your horse more?

I will give all a box of chocolate, but have no idea on the $ part.
I board at a full care facility, no training involved.

Hope some of you are willing to share what you give your grooms, so I feel I’m doing the right thing here.

Thank you!

[ThatBayHorse]

I gave the lady and her husband who medicate my horse every day of the year $100 in a card this year - last year, I didn’t have as much money and gave them $40. It’s just the gesture that counts. These people also “watch” my horse while I am on vacation, and even though I give them $ for that during the year, I feel like they do a lot of extras for me. I don’t tip the feeders, but they also get paid a lot for what they do at my farm.

[clanter]

I had a horse in training for about two years where the same groom took care of her. On one of my trips to see the horse I noticed the groom had brought the horse some carrots and apples. The groom told me that she really liked our horse who liked her also.

I checked with the barn owner/trainer asking if it was OK if I sent her a monthly stipend, he saw not problem so I started sending the groom a monthly check over and above the training/boarding cost.

Also had my horse “take” the groom to lunch (along with the other staff) once a month (horse had her own credit card that the trainer kept)

Really was not a major cost but having once been a groom at a training stable I knew first hand the value of being appreciated

But I believe the extra attention the horse was receiving needed rewarding

Our kids’ horse was very special

[walktrot]

I’m doing the same thing. My horse was not properly cared for so we moved to this barn a year ago. The BO was as close to perfect as you can find. Got her Gold Medal. Every horse - 20 of them - has their own care program. I knew when we moved he was in tough shape. If we hadn’t moved I probably would have lost him. Staff took such good care of him. He has a different perception of human beings and is very curious. Everyone who meets or just sees him loves him. Latest on the list is the UPS driver. I wondered why packages started showing up in front of his stall. He doesn’t have a credit card.

The barn changed hands in March but the new owner has kept things as they were. My gelding is 27 and doing well, including his teeth. Hay comes from Canada. Beautiful grass blend. They pick out the fluffy bales which he prefers. I’m 73 and some days I think I feel a little old. I don’t have to worry about him. As many blanket changes as needed. Summer he gets sunblock on his pink nose, fly spray, and fly mask. If he had fly sheets they would do that also. Someone put way too much water in his grain one day. He loves it. Sloppier the better. He licks the grain out of the tub and licks the walls. Nibbles the dry stuff off the walls. We don’t clean the stall. Not worth the effort. He has an oversize runout by the parking lot and contemplates the world. He’s so happy. Greets me when I drive in. Enjoys chatting with anyone who responds to his invitations. Including the UPS driver. I am planning on being generous with the tips.

[horseshorseshorseshorses]

I am a barn assistant manager and teach lessons on the side. Anything (literally) is appreciated. From a handwritten card to any type of money to a homemade gift. The thought is really what counts. Knowing that someone cares enough to write a note or buy something for me means so much.

[LCDR]

I only tipped at a boarding barn when someone had done something for me personally beyond the requirements of their job, and were off the clock when doing it. Tipping can be a tricky proposition when other boarders think you are taking the barn worker’s time away from them. And also if the barn owner or manager might think the worker is inappropriately taking time from the duties that they are being paid for.

Now lest you think I am the real Ebenezer Scrooge, I do organize and contribute to group gifts or tips at appropriate times. You just need to understand the political dynamics at your own barn before you start tipping personally.

[peedin]

There are 4 guys on our maintenance crew. We do not have grooms. The guys feed, turn out, muck out, and maintain the grounds/barn/pastures/fencing. I tip the head guy $100 and the other $50. I also give tips throughout the year (anything from $5-$20) if I see them working above and beyond. One hot summer day only 2 guys were working. They did all 80 stalls, plus the other work. They each got $20 from me. The barn does a whip round at Christmas, or you can give the guys money on your own.

[Nezzy]

I give $50 to the barn manager of a low key trail riding barn. If they have staff( it varies over the years) i give $50 to good workers and maybe $25 for those who do less than their share.