I have never gotten a horse a massage before. However, there is a massage therapist who is going to start coming out to the barn fairly regularly (at least for a while) to work on one of the horses who is having some physical issues. Other owners are signing up horses to get massages as well. I decided to sign the guy I ride up for one. Everybody who has horses getting massaged are splitting the massage therapists travel fee. Then there is the standard massage fee. I will not be present at the time of service so will be leaving a check the night before (just in case I miss the therapist, she may be at the barn when I can get there after work but possibly not). My question is… is it normal to include a tip? If so, how much? I have never tipped a vet or a farrier, but not sure what the norm is for a massage therapist. I don’t want to be “that one person” who didn’t tip as I’m not against tipping at all, but since I won’t actually be present and I’ve never had this service before I would like to know how others do things.
Tipping for equine service people is unique. Some do, some don’t. I don’t tip my farrier but I pad his check around the holidays. I don’t tip my horse’s chiropractor, but I do bring her cookies. I certainly don’t tip my vet, but I bring a danish and coffee on the mornings she comes to the farm.
I don’t think tipping is necessary with your massage person, but again, it’s unique to how you feel. If you think the service was exceptional, then yes, tip. If you’re not there to witness it, then tip her next time if you feel like it.
My equine therapists seem to (in comparison to my personal service providers) price their services according to a norm of no tips.
I view horses similar to guidelines for who to tip when you have a wedding. If someone owns their own business and sets their own prices (aka does not contract out the work to a 2nd party) you do not need to tip. I didn’t tip my photographer, who sets his own rates and does the work himself. I did tip delivery drives, servers, and the DJ, who all work for a company (just as an example). I do not monetarily tip equine chiropractors, vets, farriers etc, but do tip grooms, assistant trainers, etc. Just my 2 cents!
need new glass as this appeared to be Tripping the massage therapist… and I wondered why [h=2][/h]
It depends. I don’t generally tip for massages or chiro. If I’ve used them multiple times and “know” them, I’ll buy them something small they like, my past one enjoyed high quality chocolates. My previous farrier was a loose leaf tea drinker, so if I ever got any neat teas, I always split them with him. My vet loved pound cakes, so I used to make him one a few times a year. I always tip any grooms, shippers, barn workers, or anyone that goes above and beyond.
I always thought the rule was to tip employees but not business owners. Since a message therapist is a self-employed professional who sets her own rates, I personally wouldn’t give a tip.
We don’t. But thinking of giving some maybe. We do offer snacks when the chiro’s around for service though.
Agree.
I also agree with this.
IMO, human-medical service providers shouldn’t even be accepting tips (since human chiros are getting mentioned; same for RMTs doing clinical work). There’s a bunch written on even accepting any kind of gifts, although opinions on that are split and some ethicists believe that accepting some gifts under some circumstances can be beneficial to the patient-provider relationship. But we’re talking mostly sweets or a basket for the office at Xmas, not a tip.
My massage/bodywork person charges $150 for a session, so no, I don’t tip her! I agree with the others who say you don’t tip the owner of a business. You’re already paying for the work, why tip?
:lol: I can assure you I will definitely not be doing that.
I do agree with the not tipping the owner of a business as a norm. I’ve done gifts for those I’ve stuck with for a long time, but not tips for every single time of service. I’ve never done any of these “specialty” equine things so I wanted to make sure my thought process was in line with what is usually done. Thank you so much everyone for the advice.
My horse and my human massage therapists both charge about $100 an hour and raise their rates periodically so would never occur to me to tip them.
I think the employee versus business owner or professional is a good guide, though I continue to tip my hairdresser even now she is operating out of her own basement not a salon.
I’ve never been in a full board barn so never had to consider the staff at Christmas.
Animal massage therapist weighing in: I’m a sole proprietor practitioner (as are most of my colleagues) and I do not expect a tip. I price my services fairly and account for both overhead and the value of my time and skill.
I do have a handful of clients who regularly or occasionally provide tips, which I accept graciously because they are meant kindly and in appreciation of my work. But it is absolutely not necessary.
However, if you use a human massage therapist who is employed by a larger company, please do tip these people! It is a very different business model. :yes:
Also, I heartily endorse the “no tripping the massage therapist” policy! :winkgrin:
