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For those of you who board, do you tip the barn staff at Christmas? If so, how much?

I did the last time I was at a barn with staff, but I don't recall how much — it's been 15 years. I also brought them donuts and a thermos of hot coffee on holidays.

I do. Generally it's about 10% of a month's board for each full-time staff member (there are 3). We do not coordinate our tipping, as there is a lot of variation between adult and student boarders (whose parents are paying for the horses) on this. The students don't tend to tip.

I also give the farm owners a nice present (bouquet, etc.) and the trainer a more modest present, but still nice (as I don't actually train with her but do like her place). It adds up!

I did at my old barn - $50 each for the weekday stall cleaner and person who feeds and turns out. If there was a steady weekend person, I'd typically do $20 for them plus cookies for everyone. Current barn has different people feeding on nights and cleaning on weekends, so it's hard to know how to allocate tips. I have no idea what the other boarders do, though one coordinated buying the BO a heated vest this year.

At the last "public" barn I boarded at, they passed the hat for the 2 young brothers that lived in a very small home on the premises. They were terrific. I don't know if the absentee barn owner added to the pot. I hope so, they were quite well to do. There was ~35 horses there.

I have my gift bags ready to take to the barn now. There are two guys who live there and are wonderful. I give them $50 each, and I have a little twine cutter tool and key chain for them as well as some goodies. They are good people.

BO doesn't get money, but a card, goodies, bale cutter and key chain.

We have a staff of 5 barn workers. The head guy gets $100 and the other 4 get $50. They are in charge of cleaning, turning in and out, and general property maintenance. They work their asses off and always have their smiles on. They each are in charge of an aisle, and my aisle guy loves Miss A. This is the first year I’ve tipped the barn manager. He got $50 along with a bag of Reese trees. Two of the desk staff have been extremely helpful this year and they each got a $25 Starbucks card.

Thanks so much for your comments. The amount I gave was right in line with your suggestions. I always wish I could win the lottery and give a lot more. Our barn staff works hard and are always willing to do extras. I know it's not an easy job - it doesn't matter what the weather is, horses have to fed, turned in/out, blankets off/on, etc.