I got the job!!!

[elevenelevenxo]

Had the call earlier today - BM said if I'd like to come out tomorrow, they'd love to have me! WOOT!

The thing my trainer was telling me about pays more, though at the end of the year I'd have to do all the tax stuff myself since the guy doesn't take it out himself. Honestly, I'm not that organized to take that on....lol. That and the barn is in the complete opposite direction from where Rebel is boarded. It was a full-time position too, which would probably interfere with school, which I'm trying to make my priority right now.

I'm really excited and a little nervous about starting tomorrow. Good news is there's no question that I'll be able to afford Rebel and my car now, so that's a HUGE relief....and I love that I'll be working with horses instead of retail or a factory or something, lol.

I'll let you guys know how it all goes tomorrow evening! After I get done working, I'm going to go see my Rebel boy. :)

YAY!!!!!!!! *happy dances*

[ownedby7horses]

That's great news Jessica!! *does the happy dance too!!*

[Petra]

That's a good news! I'm happy for you!

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

That is just awesome news. Great Job!!!! I can't wait to hear all about your first day. I know you are just so happy to be working with the horses.:)

[grandmadeb]

Congrats and I hope you like it. You'll have to tell us about your first day.

[vicklynn]

Great news!!!
So your working at the barn Rebel is at, or the one your trainer told you about?

[elevenelevenxo]

Neither, Vicklynn. :)

This is a place I had contacted way back in December after I left the barn Piper522 boards her horse at. I asked if they were taking on working students but was told they didn't need workers at the time, and lessons there are out of my price range. They told me they'd go ahead and keep my name though incase they ever do need someone. About a week ago I had a phone call from the barn manager over there saying they're looking for someone to clean stalls, feed, blanket, and turn-out and she was interested in talking more with me. So I had an interview last week, sent her some references, and basically waited for the verdict!

Here's the link to the barn's website:

http://huntersdreamequestrian.com/

It's gorgeous and the arena is HUUUUGGGEEE. They currently have 23 horses but she said they were expecting 4 more soon, so 27 horses to take care of! WHEW!

But the barn Rebel is at (that I think I will keep him at because it's very small....and I prefer that atmosphere) is only about 10 minutes away, so it won't be difficult at all to make my way over to see him when I'm done working. :)

[Miracle Whip]

Paying estimated taxes is no big deal. You just pay in whatever your tax bracket is. So, I made $2000 something at a stable last summer and sent in one payment for 15% of that. Don't let that scare you.

Spring and summer is the best time to work in a stable...I loved my time on the tractor when I was spreading poop.

[zoel_222]

Congrats!!! That is a nice place.

[elevenelevenxo]

MW, yeah, my trainer said she actually came out ahead because she was able to write off everything horse-related when she was paid that way. Thing is, that barn is just too far out of the way of where I'll be living and then boarding Rebel...and I'd really rather not move him again so soon. :) Plus, I like that this barn I will be working at is part time since I want to make getting through college once and for all my biggest focus.

[sugarsgirl]

Thats great news, I'm so happy for you ! :)

[Rock's_Peach]

That sounds wonderful! Congrats! :clap:

[oursarge]

Congratulations! Hope you love it!

[vicklynn]

Neither, Vicklynn. :)

This is a place I had contacted way back in December after I left the barn Piper522 boards her horse at. I asked if they were taking on working students but was told they didn't need workers at the time, and lessons there are out of my price range. They told me they'd go ahead and keep my name though incase they ever do need someone. About a week ago I had a phone call from the barn manager over there saying they're looking for someone to clean stalls, feed, blanket, and turn-out and she was interested in talking more with me. So I had an interview last week, sent her some references, and basically waited for the verdict!

Here's the link to the barn's website:

http://huntersdreamequestrian.com/

It's gorgeous and the arena is HUUUUGGGEEE. They currently have 23 horses but she said they were expecting 4 more soon, so 27 horses to take care of! WHEW!

But the barn Rebel is at (that I think I will keep him at because it's very small....and I prefer that atmosphere) is only about 10 minutes away, so it won't be difficult at all to make my way over to see him when I'm done working. :)
VERY COOL:clap:

[livaward]

Congrats! just don't slack on that school....;)

[carla]

Excellent! :clap:

I was about to ask why you wouldn't keep Rebel there for ease of scheduling, but I totally understand the atmosphere thing. Now you'll get the best of both, right? :D

I'm so excited for you!!

[Remali]

What a nice stable, good for you, I bet you're going to love it! And while you are there, you can send me that gorgeous buckskin horse (Macho) they have listed for sale!!

[elevenelevenxo]

LOL, Remali, check your mailbox in about a week. :) I'll ship him FedEx!

Woke up before my alarm went off today....I'm nervous!!!!

[FredRock]

Don't be nervous! I don't know what your experiences in barn work are, but there is nowhere quite like a boarding barn to work, whether for the good or bad.

Good luck! You gave me a little hope that the place I applied to might actually call back. 4 years working in barns with experience in foal, preggo mare, and stallion care, with previous experience in boarding barns and only not having a job because the places closed, but I can't find a barn that wants me. :/

[Me'N'Chic]

Congrats! Can't wait to hear how it went!!

[elleng]

Congrats and best of luck with the new job. I'm sure you will do fabulously

[cloedoll]

Congratulations! It sounds perfect.

[JackieB]

Congratulations!

[WP~Paint]

Congrats girl, that is awesome! I miss my barn job. Scoopen the poo was the best job I have ever had!

[elevenelevenxo]

OMG guys.....I am so pooped.

I expected a 5-6 hour day....ended up working 8 hours.

I got to the barn at 7:50am. Was told by the BM to be there at 8am. Figured it'd look good if I showed up a smidge early.

I sat around and waited for HER to roll in at 8:20am. :eek: I couldn't get to work because I didn't know what to do, what order to do it in....and I certainly didn't want to mess up and feed something wrong or do anything else that could potentially harm the horses.

So she got there, we fed, she showed me how to run the tractor.....showed me her method of stall cleaning and what she expects. Then I was on my own. I cleaned stalls from roughly 8:45am until 4:00pm. Seriously. I am soooooo freaking sore and tired right now.

I was irritated because it was myself, the BM, the BO (who was handling business work), and one other barn worker. Except for the BO, the rest of us were doing barn chores. I didn't take a single break all day long - worked my @$$ off. The BM and the other barn worker goofed off so much, sat around and chit chatted, and took an hour and a half lunch break. 2:00 rolls around....I have 9 stalls left to do....BM very rudely tells me she has some lesson girls coming at 3 and I needed to be done with the stalls by then. You know, they would have been done, except I had no help all day and was seriously slowing down out of sheer exhaustion. Never in my life have I cleaned this many stalls....the most I've ever done was about 14 or 15. This was nearly double that. :(

So I worked 8 hours. I'm working tomorrow and we'll see if it's any different. If not, I'm going to tell them thank you for the opportunity, but I don't think it will work out. That's full time work without any of the benefits....and I'm so exhausted right now I didn't even make it out to see Rebel. Not what I want. I have unemployment benefits right now, so I have time on my side....and that other barn opportunity available should I want it (less horses, better pay....just further away). So....ugh. Yeah. At least the horses were all really sweet.

[jeezitsjacki]

oh no. I hope it goes better tommorow. Go take a nap, sounds like you need it! you didnt get any breaks?? thats not right at all

[FredRock]

Well that stinks! Hope it gets better! I'd be snippy if I were there, but then again I'm used to going about that long cleaning stalls and doing horse stuff...

Take motrine/ibuprofin before going to sleep; helps get the swelling down while you rest.

[elevenelevenxo]

I probably could have done them faster, but the BM was very specific on how she wanted them done and I didn't want to do a bad job on my first day, so I was very thorough.

The BO told me I could take a break anytime I wanted. I took like 3 minutes to buy a drink (yeah, this barn has VENDING MACHINES....lol) but that was it. While I had the BO telling me I could take a break, I had the BM breathing down my neck about getting done before 3pm.....so as you can see, I was confused on what to do.

We'll see how tomorrow goes. The majority of the horses should be staying out tonight, so stalls shouldn't be as big a chore tomorrow. Hopefully....

Popped some ibuprofen a while ago, took a nice shower....and I'm glued to the couch tonight.

[FredRock]

So, 8:30 you fed and they wanted horses turned out and stalls done by 3:00? How many horses are we talking? You said 30 stalls, but is that all horses in at night and a lot inside during the day, or an in at night and out in the day for all?

I could see a reasons why it happened like it did.

1) the normal workers aren't used to a high turnover of workers, so a new girl has to kind of "prove" herself while they slack off. it could be something of a test to how good of a worker you are.
2) the BM knows that the stalls are normally done by 3:00, or even sooner. it might not be her normal attitude to get on you like that; it could honestly be that she was worried about the fact that they weren't done.
3) You work a little slow, which is alright to start out, but the more you do it, the easier it should be. I have no clue what kind of cleaning style you're doing, and I doubt it will translate well in writing, but if it isn't something you're used to, it might take some time to get it down enough to do fast.

I rarely took breaks at the places I worked, but I didn't stay as long as you did, either. I would talk to the workers and whoever is your actual boss to see what's considered normal for a break there. You could justify a 45 minute lunch working as hard as you do, at the least. The other thing to think of is who your actual boss is, and make sure you know who you answer to. It might not be the BO at the end of the day. That's the fun of large farms. ;)

[HeavensEast]

I would stick with it. That place is beautiful.

I used to work at a 32-stall barn (usually there was only about 17 horses, but at one time there was 26 or 27). Granted, I had usually one other person helping me. But we did grooming, bathing, turning out, feed/water, riding, in addition to cleaning all those stalls. I also helped with horse shows, which was not as fun as it looks. :doh:

I was once there from 6 am-7 pm without any breaks. Totally illegal for someone my age, but it was a good experience. 8-9 hours was a very common occurence. I started working there at 14 and I quit in September before school started this year.

I think working at that barn will get your name out there and help you to get other jobs in the future. It is a beautiful facility.

Good luck!

[star197]

Sounds like you put in 110% today. Hope it goes better tomorrow. A heating pad would be SO good for your back tonight - hope you have one.

[elevenelevenxo]

FredRock, all the horses had been in last night - 25 or 26, I can't remember. I know one more is coming Wednesday.

Yeah, I'm sticking it out for the week at the very least. I'm definitely not in the right shape for this sort of work right now, LOL. I'm sure that's part of it. I am starting to feel a little better. :)

[Steelhorserider]

Congrats on the new job...it sounds like you made the best job choice even if it didn't pay the most.

[FredRock]

Glad to hear you're feeling better! Keep taking the motrine; it fools you!

The race barn I worked at (it was a home barn) had about 50 stalls with horses, so three barns, two workers could get a barn with ten stalls done in less than an hour. The entire operation of stalls, turnout, exercise, grooming and feeding lunch for the racehorses and babies would start about 6:30 and go until about noon. We had like 3 or 4 people working at a time. I didn't come until 7:30 most days, and left between noon and one o'clock.

So it's feasible, it just takes a well oiled machine to complete it. Unfortunately, you weren't part of a well oiled machine. It'll take some time, of course, and maybe some better management.

[elevenelevenxo]

Good news and sorta bad news.

Good news is tomorrow I'm going to meet the guy my trainer told me about where the pay is better and there are less stalls to clean (17 instead of 26 or so). He seemed very, very nice over the phone (whereas the BM for the larger barn was quite rude and acted as if I were inconveniencing her when I called).

Bad news is I went to the 30-stall barn today and left after being there for a little while and having E V E R Y T H I N G go wrong. Had an uncooperative Warmblood in the arena who I needed to move nearly kick me in the head then almost go over the tractor in the doorway of the arena that I was trying to turn around (hence needing to move the horse). Then the freaking tractor broke - no idea what happened to it, but the trailer got all fudged up and was useless. I was standing around waiting and waiting and waiting again for the BM and finally just left a note and left. Not the job for me. Didn't like how I was treated yesterday - not worth it when I have the other job opportunity right there with fewer horses and better pay ($150 more a week or so). Probably could have done better than leaving just a note, but last time this scenario happened and I tried to do the right thing I got chewed out by the BM, so figured I'd just avoid it all.

Please no lectures on being irresponsible or ungrateful or anything...I talked to my family about it all and they agreed it was probably a good decision to make and are behind me on it. But just so you guys aren't like "what's 11 doing posting in the middle of the day?" Figured I'd update you.

[zoel_222]

Oh man. Sorry about the job. I know when I started it took me 6 hours to clean 9 stalls. :o Now I clean 17 in just under 4 hours. I end up working about 5-6 hours a day including turning out and bringing in horses, scrubbing food bowls and water troughs and dragging and watering the arena. I also take about an hour in breaks everyday because if I keep going and going and going without food or rest I will be useless. It just takes getting used to for both your mind and your body.

I hope the next job will be a better match for you. Good luck. :)

[elevenelevenxo]

I think it will be. I used to clean about 9 stalls 4 days a week and that wasn't too bad at all. I wasn't rushed or anything though.

The barn I'm going out to tomorrow should be pretty good. If I can clean 26 in 8 hours, I can clean 17 well under 8 hours, which is what the guy needs. He said he's just looking for someone to clean stalls and turn horses out between 8am and 4pm.....he must have stalls done very thoroughly because he made it sound like an all day 8hr job. -shrug- Seems like some folks want stalls spotless while others just want the obvious messes to be picked out. I want to find the latter to work for.....LOL. JK.

I talked to my trainer about leaving this place so soon and she didn't blame me. Apparently the BM at this barn has a "reputation" that I was not made aware of, so it's not surprising I was treated the way I was.

[Kaitlyn]

*giggles* I heard the same thing about the barn owner I used to work for, everyone else knew about her but me LOL!

[elevenelevenxo]

Ugh, don't you love being the last one to find these things out?? LOL.

It's a pity too, the barn owner was super friendly and nice. My trainer said that's what she's heard most people say. Owner's super nice, manager/trainer not so much.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I'm sorry about the job.. I don't blame you for leaving. I hope the next barn works out better.

[Petra]

I don't blame you for leaving. I'm not sure I would last until the end of the first day. I don't mind working hard, but I like to be treated right too.
Hope your new job will work out for you. Good luck!

[GrungeEquestrian]

thats great to hear!

[zoel_222]

This other place sounds a lot better. I hope that will work out for you. :)

I know what you mean about a flaky boss with a "reputation." Before I started working at Nine Oak, I got offered a job starting colts and the guy wanted to see me ride, so he said "Oh yeah, I'll be out at 12:30 tomorrow, I'll call you right before I come over." Didn't hear from him again for a month. I was then working at Nine Oak and he called me while I was at work, goes "Hey remember me? Can you come out to the ranch today?" I'm like......er no. I talked to the ladies at the feed store about him and they're like "Oh no, that guy is really, really flaky and has WEIRD training methods! Don't work for him!" :rolleyes: I wish I would've known how flaky he was sooner instead of me having my stomach in a knot for a whole month nervous about this job.