How does everyone find their barn help? I have posted on our local horsemans facebook pages, but the people that reply are looking for more then just your basic mucking position. Just basically looking for a laborer that knows how to muck stalls, don’t need people that want to manage and train too. I thought about posting in yard and groom but figured I would get the same replies I got off of the facebook ad. Any suggestions?
I was going to say Yard and Groom, but the people there would probably be looking for more of a working student thing than just barn worker. Do you have a tack or feed store near you? Maybe post an ad, and also just chat with the people who work there to see if they know of someone?
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Put a note up in your feed store, and tack shop?
I’ve had really good luck with Craigslist.
word of mouth has worked best for me but also an ad in the local paper. Emphasize that it is for barn work, no riding. You will get a pile of replies, many of them useless as some people send resumes to every ad in the paper! amongst them you will find a gem though… Depending on the amount of work, an older retired person might fill the bill for you. Be prepared to teach someone how to do everything but sometimes that works out better than having a know it all type!
Keep in mind that you are asking people to commute to your barn for a part time job. If you are only paying minimum wage, it is going to be hard to find someone who is going to be a reliable worker. Not saying it can’t be done, but when you consider the limited work and the winter weather, it may be a challenge.
Finding respectable, reliable part-time barn help is extremely difficult. Your best bet is a student who lives near you or someone with a similar animal-type job who lives/works nearby and wants extra work. Call nearby farms and vet clinics, pony clubs, 4-H clubs, etc. I’m not recommending a minor, but those clubs sometimes have club graduates who are over 18 who might want to make extra money or networks with other people who might be interested.
We just went through the h#ll that is hiring a new person. Except we offer a salary and an all-expenses paid house. It took us SIX MONTHS. I had an ad in Y&G, the local newspaper, Craigslist, and had even gone to local churches, shelters, tack shops, vet clinics, high schools, UK and UofL, etc. looking for ANYBODY who wanted to work.
We finally found our guy by asking him if he knew anybody looking for work when he came to drop a horse off (he worked for a big shipping company). He was looking for a change, so it just worked out that way.
Don’t be afraid to ask anybody and everybody, since you never know what might turn up!
Are there any other barns near you that have now or need a part time worker? “Sharing” one person can work out for everyone. The barns need to be close for easy commute. Barn A gets the AM shift, barn B the PM. The worker gets a full day of work.
Ask barn workers at other barns if they know of someone looking for work. (With BO’s permission of course) This ‘jungle drum’ method can be very effective.
Ask your shoer and vet to spread the word. They see a lot of people every week.
Good luck. Finding good help is an adventure for sure!
Try day labor. You get a working trial and to keep on trying people out until you find someone who suits you.
Local GMO newsletter. Local college with equine program?
County job assistance programs? Been in barns that got good basic barn help through the county. Also had good luck with high school and college interns earning credit for Ag classes.
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