Your barn manager is entrusted with the care of all of the horses in your barn – a big responsibility. Finding a good barn manager can be a challenge, since the position demands a variety of specialized skills. When you’re looking for a barn manager, try to find someone who has the following traits.

Equine Care and First-Aid Experience

It’s imperative that any barn manager have extensive experience in caring for horses and in administering equine first-aid. Your barn manager will need to be able to serve as a resource for boarders, and boarders will need to be able to trust the barn manager’s skills and expertise. Be sure to ask any potential manager about what medical emergencies they have encountered and how they handled those situations.

Attention to Detail

Detail is everything when it comes to caring for horses. Whether following each horse’s individualized care plan or executing the barn’s feeding chart with accuracy, you will want a barn manager who has excellent attention to detail. A barn manager who pays attention to the small details can help to avoid potential issues, like ordering feed too late or turning a horse out when a paddock fence is loose.

Problem Solving Abilities

Any barn manager is sure to encounter problems and conflicts in the barn on a regular basis. You will want to hire a barn manager who has excellent problem solving abilities and who can resolve these situations on their own. Good problem solving skills will mean that a barn manager is intelligent, resourceful, and can come up with creative solutions to keep the barn running smoothly.

People Skills

While excellent horse handling and horse care skills are essential for a barn manager, excellent people skills are just as important. Much of the barn manager’s job involves interacting with people, whether they are boarders, students, riders, or trainers. A barn manager will need to be able to be courteous and professional when interacting with people. If a barn manager has poor people skills, this can be just as detrimental as it would be if they had poor horse handling skills.

Moderation Talents

Conflicts may arise between people, so a good barn manager must also have strong moderation talents. Whether alleviating an issue between boarders or coming up with a solution to scheduling problems, any barn manager will benefit from the ability to stay calm, professional, and clear headed during disagreements or tense situations. If you’re looking for a barn manager, try checking with your equine network first – you might find an excellent barn manager simply by word of mouth.

Original Source: Traits to Look for in a Good Barn Manager