Tipping/Thank you for assistant trainer

[Hilary]

My young horse is about to finish up at the trainers for starting - what is an appropriate gift/tip for the young girl (employee, not working student) who has been the one to sit on him and do the riding portion of the training. The head trainer is a long lining genius and does all that work. He does ride, but shes the one who’s first up on the babies. He’s been there for 2 months this spring and was there for one last fall.

How much, and is cash better or a gift card for a tack store (or Target?) or an actual gift? And do I also tip/gift the owner/head trainer?

[clanter]

it has been a very long time ago (early 1990s) that I had a horse in training elsewhere, but during that time I noticed the groom, a young lady, was taking what I considered exceptional care of my mare. The groom was even buying my horse apples and carrots.

I talked to the barn owner trainer first before I started sending the groom a stipend of $100/mo …and since my mare had her own credit card she was to buy her groom lunch at least once a week.

It wasn’t much, but the groom appreciated the attention and I knew my horse was in very good hands

oddly I do not remember her name, but her kindness toward my horse has not ever been forgotten

[Bluey]

Around here, in show stables, clients tend to give assistants to the trainer about half a month amount in cash in a nice thank you card.
Cash is really best gift, any other little thing can be added to it if you want to make it more personal.

If the gift is for more than a shorter amount of time, then that can be enough, or up to a whole month’s bill amount, which is seen as very generous, like a season/year end gift.

Best is always to run it by their boss, especially if we are not sure what to do.

[candyappy]

I think a gift card ( or cash) that she can use wherever she chooses is a nice gesture. When I was young and poor and working other people’s horses to pay for my own, that would have been a Godsend and very much appreciated.