Leaving the Barn
Trust, Preparation, and peace of mind
Leaving the barn often feels like I’m leaving my child behind… except my “child” happens to be a group of paying customers’ horses. Thousands of dollars’ worth of precious, self-destructive children. So the analogy works almost too perfectly. The question is: how do you leave and return smoothly, ensuring everything is in order and the horses are well cared for?
I used to come home from horse shows and feel like a whirlwind had torn through the barn. Everything would be out of place: the little things I’d usually tidy up, like tools put away or hoses coiled neatly, were just off. It left me feeling stressed and overwhelmed, like I could never find enough hours in the day to restore order. Thankfully, I’ve learned a few strategies over the years that have helped me manage the barn and my own stress better.
1. Adjust Your Expectations
First and foremost, it’s crucial to set realistic expectations. Yes, some things will inevitably be out of place. That’s just the way it goes. But as long as the disruption doesn’t interfere with the essential flow of operations, those minor details can usually wait. Sure, over time these seemingly small things might build up, but after just a week or two, it’s likely only you—the person in charge—will ever even notice.
Adjusting your expectations also means preparing your staff before you leave. Take the time to sit down and walk through each of their tasks, ensuring they’re set up to succeed. In my experience, employees often don’t want to “bother” you while you’re away, so they hold off on sharing issues until you’re back. This delay only adds to the post-trip pileup of problems. I’ve made it a point to tell my team—loud and clear: text or call me if there is an issue! I’d much rather deal with a problem in the moment than face a snowball of unresolved issues later.
2. Don’t Do Everything at Once
Another important lesson I’ve learned is not to force myself to fix everything in one day. Break it down. Tackling priorities in chunks—a few hours at a time—can make a world of difference. This approach prevents you from feeling completely overwhelmed and lets you savor those small wins as you check things off your list.
3. Trust the Right People
Above all, hiring trustworthy people is a game-changer. When I started working with someone with an eye for detail and a genuine sense of responsibility, leaving for horse shows or vacations became significantly less stressful. Knowing I could rely on them meant I wasn’t constantly worried about one catastrophe or another cropping up in my absence.
Even though I’m writing this instead of unpacking my tack from the show, it still feels like these little lessons have helped me manage the stress of leaving. With the right systems and people in place, it doesn’t have to be a source of constant anxiety. Preparation, communication, and trust go a long way in keeping things running smoothly—and keeping your sanity intact.