Every day the news comes, and every day it seems to be more bad news. I would venture to say that everyone has been touched by the economic meltdown in some way. Jobs are being shed at an alarming rate, and the value of our homes continue to decline.

The best way to deal with anxiety and stress is to get one's mind off the bad news. High-tail it to the barn and spend extra time just watching the horses, or if you are lucky and have access to a horse, spend some extra time grooming the horse or hand grazing the horse. If you are one of the super lucky - go for a long, relaxing trail ride. Just focus your attention 100% on the horse.

I guarantee you will feel better. Sunny side up! Things will improve soon.

I have been thinking about what makes a better working environment, especially within the equestrian industry. What are some of the qualities that would help make things better that are easy to attain without spending lots of money or time?

How about working on your attitude? Are you one of those people that see the glass half full... or half empty? Are you Eeyore?& Or Winnie the Pooh?

In this economic crisis, I am continually surprised when I hear people complain about their job, whether it is about the lack of benefits, or they don't like a certain policy, or they think that things are not happening to their liking fast enough or not unfolding the way they want it to unfold.

When you step back from your situation and apply a worldly view... you may find that you could be appreciative that you have a job at all. The U.S. is shedding jobs at an alarming rate and every day the unemployment numbers rise, yet I find it amazing to hear people complain about work or complain that they live pay check to paycheck - when there are so many who no longer have a job or a paycheck. And if you take this view even larger to the world - there are millions who are starving to death, who live with dirt floors, no clean water and no electricity. Some in certain parts of the world live in constant fear of being killed at any moment.

Come on fellow Americans - let us find daily reasons to be thankful. They can be small, as small as giving thanks for the air to breath and giving thanks for the sunshine. If we choose to see things differently – then suddenly everything can change.

I have a suggestion… for each of you and for the love of horses. Give thanks and find gratitude for the horses themselves and give thanks that you have them in your life. It is an honor and a privilege.

When you are appreciative, you greet people warmly and listen more deeply. I recently read that 7% of people leave their jobs because their bosses didn’t greet them. Say hello to everyone you can. Once you are grateful for everything that you have, you will become a team leader who inspires loyalty, increased productivity and a happier environment which translates into people wanting to work for you.

Living with grace and bringing gratitude into your daily life will help foster happiness which translates to business success and personal success.

All the best,

Jennifer Donovan
Principal
Equestrian Services, LLC - Developing the Equestrian Lifestyle

The only constant in life is change. Sooner or later your staff at your barn will change, someone will leave unexpectedly, someone may get injured, you may find yourself without help for a few hours, or even a few days depending on the circumstances.

As we all know, the consistent feeding and watering of our horses is paramount to their well being and good health. So being prepared for any and all situations is a helpful tool. In facilities we have designed, we design the stalls so anyone can feed without having to enter the stall. Water is automatic, and feed doors allow for hay and grain to be deposited without entering the stall. You may be asking why this is important? As fellow equestrians, we all know that our horse handling skills are unique and learned over many years of working with horses. Even with our years of experience, we would all feel different levels of comfort entering a stall of an unfamiliar horse. So if for some reason there is a situation at the barn and you are left short handed, we suggest you create a plan so anyone could do the feeding (including a non horse person).

I suggest you create a “Feeding the Horses for Dummies” Manual. You have seen these yellow and black books in the book store – they are a “prolific series of instructional books which are intended to present non-intimidating guides for readers new to the various topics covered”. I am suggesting you create a “Feeding the Horses for Dummies” Manual and openly display it in your feeding room.

Step One – clearly mark each stall with a stall number and create a chart with the name of stall and the horse’s name and a brief description (i.e. Chestnut Mare).

Step Two – clearly mark all feed, supplements and medications – this is really important.

Step Three – have a scoop or measurement device that is clear without any confusion so quantity of grain or medications is clear and precise – make sure you have lines on your coffee cans for measuring or even better, get a scoop with measuring lines already on it.

Step Four – step by step, write the process down for feeding. For example, if you drop hay first, explain where the hay is, draw a diagram if necessary showing the hay storage area, explain what a flake is – make the directions 100% fool proof so anyone off the street could do it.

Step Five – test it. Grab a friend or family member one day and have them run through the feeding drill. See what worked and what needs to be explained further.

By creating your “Feeding the Horses for Dummies” Manual and performing this drill you have not only tested your manual – you have actually secretly trained an emergency helper.

What is triage? Triage is the process of prioritizing in order of importance. This is what you are doing in case of an emergency – water and feed are your number one concern, turn out and cleaning the stalls can wait for an experienced horse person’s arrival. In an emergency or in the midst of a staffing crisis, your horses are fed and cared for. Leave the picking, cleaning and turn-out for the experienced horse handler – the horses will be okay left in for a day or until an experienced horse person can get to the facility.

If you have experienced horse handlers available to help in an emergency, then also create a segment in your “Feeding the Horses for Dummies” Manual on turnout procedures. Make sure you number and diagram paddocks, explain in great detail turn out schedules and pasture buddies, personalities of the horses (i.e. one likes to bolt after you remove the halter or another likes to kick out and run off) and also include booting requirements – again, write it all with diagrams and run a drill.

Jennifer K. Donovan
Principal
Equestrian Services, LLC - Developing the Equestrian Lifestyle