12/04/2025
10 Phrases You Should Never Say At the Barn
“It’s Not My Fault”
It doesn’t matter whose fault it is. It’s probably just how the day is going. So many issues happen every single day with all the moving parts at the barn. Instead of wasting everyone else’s time having to put fingers at something (or someone) else, use that energy to work on what you can control. That’s the best way to add value to the situation, for you and your horse.
Anything Negative About Someone Who is Trying
If you are not actively employing this person or involved in the outcome (e.g. you own the horse), this is gossip—plain and simple. For you to be uninvolved, negative and defeatist to someone who is trying to improve their life makes you the bad guy here. Gossip is so tempting. Check in with yourself periodically to see if you are behaving in a manner that is truly consistent with your values.
“I Don’t Have Time to Walk to Warmup”
If you don’t have time to walk your horse properly before you begin, you don’t have time to ride. Working walk, stretching, extension, and cardio and muscular warmup are an essential part of every ride for your horse. You can run a tight ship and still prioritize doing it right.
X is a Bad Horse
Calling a horse bad is never a good conversation piece. If it’s not your horse, it’s not really any of your business. If it is your horse, it’s not helpful. Work on developing the tools within yourself to encourage every horse to go as well as possible for you. Think about your part in this “bad” behavior. See what you can take responsibility for and improve.
“It’s Not Fair”
No. It’s not. Horses are, unfortunately, very unfair. But dwelling on this at the barn is not time well spent for anyone. Do we need systemic change? Yes. Join an organization fighting for opportunity and fair play in our sport and work with them to develop their programs, scholarships, education, and leveling playing fields. We all have low moments, but if you find yourself repeating “it’s not fair” over and over… you likely need to change your attitude and work ethic. Control what you can and consider volunteering to make it better for people coming up behind you.
“That’s Not My Job”
Yes, this sport is expensive. You’re paying a lot to be a client/customer and feel like you should get a certain amount of service for that. However, I guarantee that everyone is getting more services than they actually pay for at their barn if they really penciled everything that comes with their experience. Be grateful for the infrastructure and financial risk someone is taking for you to pursue your dream. We’re all together at the barn. It’s all of our jobs to help take better care of our people, ourselves, and our horses. If you’re asked to do something, it is because it would be of value to one of your human teammates in this horse experience. Do it.
📎 Continue reading Piper Klemm's article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/01/16/10-phrases-you-should-never-say-at-the-barn/
📸 © Heather N. Photography
