Posted by Seth Burgess on Tue, Sep 07, 2010 @ 04:23 PM
When Should an Equine Employer Pay Travel Expenses on the Job?
As an employee, getting to and from home and your job is your responsibility. You should not expect your employer to reimburse you for the expenses of getting to work, and such expenses are not generally deductible when figuring your income taxes. Travel expenses while on the job are a different matter. If your employer asks you to run errands in your personal vehicle, your employer should pay travel expenses based on the miles you travel, not just pay for your gas. If your employer expects you to take your own car to shows, your employer should compensate you in the same way. (If the decision to take your own car is yours, and the employer has offered you another way to get there at the employer's expense, you should not be compensated for taking your car.)
The standard mileage rate for employee business travel reimbursement for 2010 is 50 cents per mile. This rate is set periodically by the IRS. You can get information on the rate and the reporting requirements by searching "standard mileage rate" at
www.irs.gov. Employers do not have to pay this specific mileage rate. However, if an employer pays less than the standard mileage rate, you may deduct the difference between the mileage rate your employer is paying and the standard rate as an unreimbursed employee expense when you figure your federal income taxes. If the employer pays more than the standard rate, you must include the difference as additional income on your federal income taxes.
By the way, mileage reimbursement does not eliminate the need for your employer to pay you your regular rate of pay. If you are being paid by the hour, you are still on the time clock when you are running errands, or traveling to shows, even though you are being paid a mileage rate. Whether you are being paid by the hour or on salary, any overtime rules that apply when you are working at the farm or stable also apply when you are running errands for your employer, or even when you are in your employer's car sleeping on the way to and from a show.
If you are not being compensated fairly for your travel expenses, it is good to be aware. However, it is probably not a good idea to confront your employer about a practice that has been ongoing for some time and that may affect other employees. Wait for an opportunity to discuss this problem in the context of renegotiating your compensation package. Try to work your needs into the conversation rather than confronting the employer with an ultimatum.
Times are hard. Getting more money out of your employer may be more difficult these days. Take our
two-minute five-question survey on the horse industry economy and see instant result on how other folks are feeling about the state of the industry. It's free!
Posted by Seth Burgess on Sun, Sep 05, 2010 @ 04:09 PM
How do Equine Employers View Previously Self Employed Candidates?
People who have been successfully self employed have a lot to be proud of. Operating a successful horse related business is no small accomplishment. Sometimes successful business people decide that they want to change direction, close their business, and work for someone else. It is only natural that these folks would want a prospective horse industry employer to know about their abilities and accomplishments in business. It is also true that their business experience is likely to be of great value to their employer. However, some employers are nervous about hiring people who have been self employed. They may think that previously self employed people will have a hard time letting someone else make the important decisions. Or, they may think that a previously self employed person will not be happy with being an employee. They may even wonder if the business was really successful if the owner is looking for a job. It pays to be aware of this way of seeing things. In general, we recommend that previously self employed people focus on their skills and abilities when first talking with a potential employer, and not talk about where those skills were acquired until the subject comes up. The change in approach could be as simple as saying "I managed a breeding farm for ten years" instead of saying "I owned and operated a breeding farm for ten years." As justifiably proud as you may be of your business accomplishments, trying to impress a potential equine employer with them up front may backfire. We never recommend trying to hide anything about your background, but focusing on your skills first will help a potential employer see your value without being distracted by how you gained your experience.
For extensive information on building a career in the horse industry, spend some time with The Career Game. It's free.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Thu, Sep 02, 2010 @ 03:45 PM
Getting Horse Farm Work Done - Let's Make a Deal.
Making a profit in the horse business is difficult. Sooner or later most every stable owner considers alternative ways to obtain their personnel and save money. There are three basic ways to obtain help, (1) hire an employee, (2) take on a partner, and (3) lease your facility and contract with the lessee. At the worker level (Groom, Stable Help, Barn Manager, etc.), horse people are usually hired as employees. The other two options are usually considered for upper level management people, typically a Trainer or Manager/Trainer. Here are some of the pros and cons of each approach to obtaining a Trainer.
(1) Hiring a Trainer as an employee gives the facility owner the greatest amount of control over how and when things will be done. The facility owner takes the majority of the business risk and should be in line for most of the financial gain (or loss.) The owner's horses and needs come first. However, hiring an employee can require a financial commitment the owner is not ready to make.
(2) Sometimes when an employer is not prepared to hire a Trainer on salary, they will consider a partnership. Typically, the employer offers to provide the facility in exchange for allowing a Trainer to run his training business out of the facility and in exchange for training the facility owner's horses. This approach is usually a "recipe for disaster." It is very rare for this kind of solution to work. As a partner, the facility owner is no longer taking all of the business risk and must give up some of the control over what happens in their facility. But, as a partner, the business decisions still materially affect the owner. Arguments over who will maintain the facility and how are common. Training of the facility owner's horses and providing for the owner's other needs usually end up last on the list. Any savings in cash outlay is usually more than offset by the trouble this kind of arrangement causes.
(3) Leasing a facility to a Trainer at "arms length" for a fee can be a viable solution. Under this arrangement, if the owner has horses to be trained, he or she simply becomes a regular client of the Trainer and pays the normal training fees. Business risk for the facility owner is largely eliminated, so that the loss of control over business activities and decisions has minimal impact. The owner's horses get equal treatment with other clients. The financial impact of the arrangement is minimal and predictable for the owner.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 @ 03:08 PM
Do you Have What it Takes to Excel in a Horse Job?
Horse jobs are demanding physically, mentally, and emotionally. Do you have what it takes to excel when physical stamina is called for, there is pressure to do well, and your equine employer is less than perfect?
1. Physical stamina is part of any hands on horse job. Physical strength and endurance for heavy lifting is expected. Strength, balance, and conditioning are needed for ground work and riding. These qualities are not just needed occasionally. They are needed every day, day in and day out. If you're not in good shape, start working out now.
2. Mental Sharpness is not just for rocket scientists. Handling horses requires quick powers of observation, quick reaction times, and the ability to think on your feet. Working in a horse business requires a good memory for details like which horse gets what kind of feed, not leaving the gate open, and being aware of how you appear to the customers. So, get off the drugs and alcohol, learn to be aware of the present moment, and look for opportunities to prevent disasters.
3. Emotional Strength will help you bounce back from failures, self-assess your performance on the job, and stick up for yourself at appropriate times. Successful relationships with equine bosses and co-workers require relating one on one in an emotionally balanced and respectful way. If you are being jerked around emotionally by your boss or co-workers, don't complain to your friends, get some help with building relationships in the work place. You can't change other people, but you can change yourself.
For more help building a career in the horse industry, spend some time with The Career Game. It's free.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Sun, Aug 29, 2010 @ 02:45 PM
Guest Blog - Do you Have the Right Tools for Your Horse Job?
by Doug Emerson
Have you ever watched an amateur start to paint a barn? It goes like this:
1. Raise ladder into position on barn siding2. Return to garage to get forgotten screwdriver to open paint can3. Remove lid and return to garage to get rag to wipe spilled paint on
side of can
4. Climb up ladder with full can of paint and brush
5. Climb down ladder with almost full can of paint to find hook
to hang can on ladder
6. After climbing back up ladder and finding loose paint, back down
again to locate scraper and putty knife
You get the idea and perhaps have had the exact experience. Lack of tools for a job makes for a very long and unremarkable day at work.
Most likely you've watched people at work in various trades. They all carry their tools for the job in a tool belt or at finger tip reach. Electricians, roofers, and siding installers often work on ladders and learned it's far easier to carry the common tools in a belt than make trip after trip down and back up a ladder for forgotten tools.
Your farrier probably carries a hoof knife in his apron and you can be sure his tools are positioned in a shoeing box less than an arm's length away. When you're bent over holding a heavy hoof in hand, happiness is efficiency to reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary expenditure of energy.
Surprisingly, in jobs that aren't skilled trades, I often see workers carrying only a few tools to help them through the day. Examples are: a construction laborer who operates a wheel barrow for eight hours in light rain without the benefit of a set of gloves or rain gear. Or an office worker who shows up for a meeting without a pen or notepad. Or a salesperson who never has a business card or a pen to write up a sale.
Employees in horse businesses are guilty of coming to work without their tool belts as frequently as any other industry. If a person works hands-on with horses daily, her tool belt may include: a pocket knife sharp enough to cut leather or a lead line in an emergency, pen, note pad, gloves, a watch or cell phone to know what time it is and always a belt to peel off quickly to wrap around the neck of a loose unhaltered horse.
Managers and business owners who try to navigate through their days without the benefit of their own personal tools within easy reach complain about their lack of productivity and blame everyone and every thing except themselves.
Their "tool belts" should include: planner (electronic or paper based) cell phone, pen and notepad, business cards and the forms and documents they need for the day.
I'm not suggesting they need to have these tools strapped on their bodies like a handyman, but it's silly not to have them close by and easily accessible.
There is no need to make any more amateur trips up and down your occupational ladder. If you're a professional horseman, show up for work each day with the tools to perform like one. 
Douglas Emerson is an experienced business coach with a passion for horses. He offers a program for professional horsemen and horsewomen in which he trains, consults and coaches them in 8 key strategies that have been proven to create more profit in less time. His programs result in more energy from working fewer hours, peace of mind about money, more balanced home lives and renewed passion for work.
Check out his program at
www.ProfitableHorseman.com and sign up for his free weekly newsletter about the horse business with tips for professionals for improving profitability.
Take our two minute five question
Horse Industry Economy Survey and see what others think about the horse industry economy instantly for free.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 @ 02:16 PM
Guest Blog -15 Ways to Impress a
Horse Industry Employer
by Laura Jane Thompson
Whether you are applying for a new horse job or are hoping to score a promotion, impressing the boss is always a good idea. Not only will standing out make you more attractive for hiring or promoting, but you'll also make a greater contribution to the horse business in which you work.
Too often, we get wrapped up in the employer-employee mindset. But if you align your goals with those of your employer, you'll be working together for the common good.
1. Show up early. Pretend that your work day starts 15 minutes earlier than it actually does. This will give you time to prepare for your role in the horse business, and your employer will notice your dedication. Plus, you won't be late if traffic slows down your morning commute.
2. Lend a helping hand. It might not be your job to help a boarder find a lost halter, but doing so will impress your boss as well as the client. Make it your mission to solve problems as they arise, whether or not they fall under your job description. And, if you are not qualified or equipped to help, offer to find someone who is.
3. Admit you don't know. The horse industry can be dangerous, and the safety factor becomes particularly serious when equestrian professionals pretend to have more knowledge than they do. For example, if you're asked to wrap a horse's leg and you don't know how, ask your boss to show you. He will respect your honesty and you'll learn something new.
4. Offer your opinion. Maybe you aren't very high on the horse business totem pole, but if you have an opinion, go ahead and voice it. Offering new ideas to solve problems or increase efficiency is a great way to get noticed and make valuable contributions.
5. Volunteer. Does your boss need someone to come in early Saturday morning to help prepare for a horse show? Raise your hand. Volunteering for extra work means you are a team player.
6. Ask questions. Make it your mission to learn everything you can about the horse industry. Treat your boss as a mentor and try to learn everything he or she knows. Your employer will recognize your initiative and respond accordingly.
7. Under-promise. Think you can get something done in thirty minutes? Say you'll have it done in an hour, and your boss will be pleasantly surprised if you're able to meet your first estimate. Don't take this too far, but make sure you're never in a position where you over-promise and disappoint your boss.
8. Work the problem. It is a good idea to admit when you don't have the answer (see #3 above), but figuring out the answer on your own can also impress your boss. Before you run to him or her with a question, make sure you can't work out the solution for yourself. Resourcefulness is often rewarded.
9. Show enthusiasm. Employers love workers who are excited about their jobs. You might be mucking stalls, but you'd better act like stall cleaning is your life's passion. You don't need to be fake, but you should be grateful for every opportunity and eager for the next challenge. Your boss will wonder, if you're so excited about stall cleaning, how will you act if you're given more responsibility? That's a good thing.
10. Make friends. You don't need to become best friends with your co-workers, but you should get along with them. Make an effort to get to know the people you see every day and to care about how they are doing. Be courteous and gracious.
11. Ask for specifics. Bosses are busy people and sometimes they are unintentionally vague. Rather than assuming you know what your boss means when she says, "Have that done soon," ask what time she would like it finished. That way, you're never guessing about what your boss really wants.
12. Dress professionally. The horse industry isn't exactly conducive to suits and wingtips, but you should look like a professional. This means clean, ironed clothes that are appropriate for your job. Revealing outfits, exposed tattoos or piercings, and mismatched clothes are unacceptable. It is also a good idea to keep a clean change of clothes at the barn for those dust- and dirt-related emergencies.
13. Show improvement. You don't need to be perfect to impress your boss, but you do need to get better, little by little, as time goes on. Don't repeat mistakes.
14. Become a mimic. Imitation is supposed to be flattering, so try to mimic your boss. This doesn't mean becoming a carbon copy; it means learning how he or she likes things done and making note of them.
15. Relax. This is perhaps the most important advice I can give, and it is so rarely followed. Try to relax at work if you want your boss to notice you. Remember that you love your job, and try to have fun at work. Smile often, be friendly, and don't worry about the little mistake you made last week. Keep working hard, and it will all be forgiven.
Following these tips might lead to a raise, a promotion, or any number of other opportunities in the horse business. If you want to remain in this industry and create a name for yourself, you have to work with your boss as well as for him.
Laura Jane Thompson is a horse business consultant and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. You can find more tips on the horse business at Riding Instructor University.
Editor's Note: If you apply these principles and your employer fails to recognize them, or takes advantage of your dedication and just piles on more work, take a look at the article about Training Your Equine Employer.
If nothing seems to work, take a look at our free preview to see if there is another job out there for you.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Thu, Aug 26, 2010 @ 02:00 PM
15 Indicators of Poor Attitude in Potential Equine Employees
The most difficult thing to change about an employee is their attitude towards the job. If someone lacks skills, they can be taught. If they have a disability, sometimes accommodations can be made. But if their attitude is wrong, they are not likely to make it. Here are 15 examples of poor attitude.
1. Does not take you seriously.
2. Does not follow through when you assign a task.
3. Is more interested in what you can do for him/her than what they can do for you.
4. Has trouble remembering instructions
5. Gets angry about the job, or considers your needs unreasonable.
6. Does not understand the importance of customer service.
7. Thinks problem solving is somebody else's job.
8. Does not know how to negotiate so everybody wins.
9. Does not make an attempt to understand the needs of the business
10. Does not care about how his/her job contributes to the success of the business.
11. Does not think reputation is important
12. Expects you to solve his/her personal problems
13. Does not look for what needs to be done, waits for specific instruction.
14. Is routinely late to work, does not take deadlines seriously.
15. Does not ask for help.
If you have had employees with habits like these, I'm sure you will agree that they are nearly impossible to change. I say nearly, because anyone can change if they want to badly enough. However, the best solution is to avoid hiring people like this in the first place. The best way to avoid these problems is to assign and evaluate tasks as part of the interview process. For instance, in your initial telephone interview, ask applicants to send you a resume and cover letter. Evaluate their performance. Did they listen to your request carefully; did they follow your instructions completely; did they get the materials to you on time; did they take your request seriously; did they do a careful and complete job; did they give you more than you expected? Their performance in completing tasks you assign during the interview process will be the best indicator of how they will perform on the job. Be creative in the tasks you assign. Ask applicants to visit your web site and prepare a list of changes they would like to see to make the web site better. When you interview in person , ask applicants to halter a horse, drive a tractor, or hook up a horse trailer. Don't worry if they don't have the skill. Skills can be taught. You are evaluating attitude. Sometimes a simple admission by an applicant that they don't know how to do your task can be the best attitude. Be careful to assign the same tasks to all applicants, so you will be able to compare applicants easily, and so you will not appear to be discriminating illegally.
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Employer Newsletter.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 @ 12:56 PM
Body Language Influences Hiring Decisions in Horse Jobs
You know how horses read your body language. Well, interviewers read your body language too, even if they are not totally aware of it. The chances are you are not totally aware of it either. Check out this article by Dennis McCafferty :
"The body language of interviewees can have a major influence on hiring decisions. Hiring managers are interested in something other than your resume and what you have to say -- the way you project “body talk,” including your posture, hand-waving and other non-verbal language, can make a far greater difference than many job-seekers may realize. According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, a significant percentage of hiring managers say job candidates often significantly hurt their chances with their gestures and physical presence. “In a highly competitive job market, job seekers need to set themselves apart in the interview stage,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “All that pressure, though, may have some job seekers making body language mistakes that don’t convey a confident message.” Fortunately, CareerBuilder has some easy tips to help you avoid sending out bad-body vibes. More than 2,500 hiring managers took part in the survey. Here’s what they had to share:"
Body Language Influences Hiring Decisions
For more tips on finding a job, sign up for our free Job Seeker Newsletter.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Fri, Aug 20, 2010 @ 12:23 PM
Guest Blog - Networking will Untangle
your Equine Career
by Laura Jane Thompson
The horse business, more than any other industry, is all about relationships. It isn't enough to pad your Rolodex with the names and phone numbers of other equestrian professionals; if you want to succeed in any horse job, you need to get to know other people who share your goals and desires.
The term "networking" might sound pretentious or gimmicky, but the underlying concept holds tremendous value. When you get to know other people in the horse business and you open yourself up to partnerships and opportunities, your career can branch out in limitless directions. And you might find yourself in a better place than you are now.
Here are a few tips for networking in the horse industry, just in case you're stumped on how to move forward.
1. Forget About Geography
At one time, networking might have meant meeting other people in your specific geographic area, but no more. Even in the horse business, it is possible to find new opportunities with professionals who live in other states—or even other countries.
Horse shows, exhibitions, seminars, and clinics are excellent opportunities to meet people from other places. You might turn up a chance to travel or even to relocate.
2. Put Them First
The traditional approach to networking was to get what you want and get out. Career-minded professionals sometimes only talk to other people in order to further their own careers, which is a selfish—and usually fruitless—way to get to know other horse industry workers.
When you meet someone new through your networking efforts, ask yourself one very specific question: "What can I do to help this person?" Can you put him in touch with a friend who might want to buy his horse? Could you put in a good word with your boss so she might get a job at your farm?
Make networking with you a positive experience, and the good you put out there will be returned. It might take a few weeks or months, or even years, but eventually that person will remember the kind thing you did for him and repay the favor.
3. Make an Impression
Preferably a positive one. When you're networking, you don't want to remain another face in the crowd. You want to stand out so the people you meet will remember you down the road.
This doesn't mean you have to be flamboyant or rude or quirky. It means you need to be yourself. Show off your personality in communication with other equestrian professionals and let them see the real you.
4. Find Common Ground
This is true of any communication, not just networking. If you can find common ground with someone you have just met, you will have accomplished two goals:
a. He or she will remember you; and
b. Conversation will come easier.
Maybe your common ground is that you both rode barrel racers in high school, or maybe you each have a passion for stopping equine abuse. Whatever the case, find some common ground—no matter how small—and use that as a jumping-off point for conversation.
5. Make Introductions
Networking in the horse business can create ripples of after-effects that you don't even realize are happening. You introduce Sally to Bob; Bob introduces Sally to Amy; Amy hears about you through the grapevine and offers you your dream job.
Sure, that's a pretty radical example, but things like that actually happen.
Decide right now that you are going to facilitate as many connections as possible through your equine network. Not only might this benefit you in the future, but you'll be helping others achieve their goals as well.
Laura Jane Thompson is a horse business consultant and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. You can find more tips on the horse business at Riding Instructor University.
For more help building a career in the horse industry, spend some time with The Career Game, it's free.
Posted by Seth Burgess on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 @ 04:59 PM
There are no Part Time Horse Jobs - Just Part Time Salaries
We received the following questions from one of our equine job seeker newsletter subscriber:
"I am a groom for a breeding operation(almost 4 years now), as well as take care of the same farm when the owner travels. I groom three mornings a week, I also handle the horses as far as feed, in and out of barn, etc...very hot horses, and not always easy to care for. When the foals come, I help train them, imprint them, etc....if there is a breed show, I help prepare them for the show and also attend. The owner is traveling more and more...and when she travels, I feed in am, pm, and also groom stalls, hay, watch over farm.
However, it is a part time, pay per hour job. I work another job, plus do my own business on the side. I have had friends tell me that they feel the owner is taking advantage of me, as it is just pay per hour....I actually alter my other jobs around her farm to take care of her horses. I do not charge for gas back and forth either. My pay is $XX.XX per hour and this has never gone up. I love her horses, and I am fond of the owner, but I need some advice. I am having financial difficulties and have to get another job...to replace the second job(not the farm job), living here in this expensive area as a single person, is very hard. Can you make any suggestions for me? "
This position involves more responsibility than the average Groom position. This person is taking on the role of a Barn Manager some of the time, particularly when the employer is away. She is right to be exploring the possibility that the employer is taking advantage of her. Employers who hire part time help have a tendency to increase the employee's duties over time and expect them to take on more responsibility without changing their compensation. This is not good personnel management practice, but it usually happens because the employer just doesn't think about it. This employee is actually lucky she is being paid by the hour. Being paid by the hour means she is automatically paid more when she works more hours. The old saying "There are no part time jobs, only part time salaries" refers to situations where employees are hired part-time on a fixed salary, and then the employer increases their work load without increasing their pay. This is just like giving someone a cut in pay when you ask them to do more work that takes more time.
This employee has been working for this employer for four years without any pay increases. It appears that the employer is not accepting responsibility to at least keep up with inflation. By allowing this situation to continue for 4 years, the employee has "trained" the employer into thinking that this is OK. This makes it very hard to suddenly jump up one day and ask for a raise. It is better to address this kind of situation up front. Before you accept a job, when you are negotiating with employers, ask about their policy regarding raises. Do it diplomatically. You might ask if they have a regular time of year that they consider giving raises. Some employers give raises in January each year. By asking this question, you are putting the employer on notice that you won't work for them forever without some sort of opportunity for a pay increase.
So, if you are negotiating for a part time job, it is usually a good idea to be paid by the hour. If the employer is offering you a salary, be prepared to be definite about the hours you will be working and stick to your guns. If the employer wants to increase your hours, be prepared to immediately discuss changing your salary. Don't let your fondness for the job or the employer get in the way of negotiating fair treatment. But, be diplomatic and creative. Work on negotiating an arrangement that is fair for you and for your employer.
For detailed information on compensation in horse industry jobs access our
Salary Study