Tipping at farms

[JT Dancer]

I'll be visiting several farms the week before BC. What is the 'standard' tipping rate for the tour guide? How does that work- if you are going to see three horses at say Adena, does a groom bring them out and then you tip each groom.

I've only visited farms in California, and neither of my tour guides there would take any tip. Both of the farms in California went WAY above and beyond anything I was expecting, and my visits were wonderful. But I'm thinking California farms don't get much in terms of fan visitors, so they were excited to show someone around who knew and loved their horses.

[GinTalking]

I'll be visiting several farms the week before BC. What is the 'standard' tipping rate for the tour guide? How does that work- if you are going to see three horses at say Adena, does a groom bring them out and then you tip each groom.

I've only visited farms in California, and neither of my tour guides there would take any tip. Both of the farms in California went WAY above and beyond anything I was expecting, and my visits were wonderful. But I'm thinking California farms don't get much in terms of fan visitors, so they were excited to show someone around who knew and loved their horses.

That was my experience in California as well. They seemed surprised that anyone would even want to tip them, although I think maybe one or two of the farms did accept the tips. That said, all but two farms didn't really go out of their way for us when we visited. We were fine with wandering around to paddocks, seeing the horses outside, but only two farms actually kept the stallions in and had them groomed. Another had everyone in, but the stallions were totally dirty when they were brought out.

I think I'd gauge it by how much trouble are they going to for you. Are you walking around by yourself? Is there someone walking from paddock to paddock with you and are they making an effort to bring the stallion over to the fence so you can get a good view or shot? Or have they groomed the stallion and brought them outside to show them? All very different scenarios, and worth a different tip ... IMO.

Maybe others have a better grip on this, but I'd say $5-10 to the person who walks you around to see a number of horses or $5/horse if they are groomed and brought out and stood up nicely for you. Maybe another $5 added to the total if they go above and beyond.

Like Maryland, California's farms are not the showplaces that Kentucky has, so you may actually be taking someone away from their regular job in order for them to show you horses. You'd think they'd be the ones who would enjoy a special tip for taking time out of their day, but they seem to be the ones who don't take it ... feeling as if it is part of their job. In Kentucky, I believe they keep people on hand in order to show horses which is why you often get a more 'cleaned up' version of a tour and I think they all expect to receive a tip.

I have no problem with tipping them. It's your call, I think, and perhaps the best way to determine the money is how much effort are they putting into your visit. Also, it seems to be SOP that you do not tip the farm/stallion manager; only the grooms who show the horses. However, if you have just been shown 4-6 horses, if you hand the manager your $20-25 (or whatever), he will likely pass it along to the guys who showed the horses.

Does any of that make sense?

[Tappiano]

I tipped $20 per farm where I scheduled an appointment. The horses were in their stalls so we did not really walk around and in each I saw 3/4 horses.

[GinTalking]

I'd like to hear what breeders here do regarding tips. Do you tip when you're being shown stallions who you are considering breeding to? Do you tip when you're being shown your own horses?

I know of someone who tips $100 when shown his own horses (2-3 mares).

That's interesting. I have gone stallion shopping, but I didn't tip anyone. I'm sure people do, but I kind of think if you are paying a farm many thousands of dollars to breed to one of their stallions, they should be more than willing to stand up a horse for you. I wouldn't ask to see all their stallions if I were only interested in one of them. Just show me the one.

The $100 tip to see his own horses sounds more like a 'stake' ... like an owner might do with a groom who runs his horse. Iow, it's a very nice thing to do if you have that kind of money to pass along.

Edit: And for the record, if I am stallion shopping, I don't take my camera with me. ;-)

[Jas]

I know of someone who tips $100 when shown his own horses (2-3 mares).

We tip the guys when we're looking at our own mares and foals. There's 3 guys who work the boarding farm and we give them $250 to split amongst themselves. They give our horses so much one-on-one time, they deserve it.

As far as tips for showing stallions, not sure. We have an agent go look at them.

[JT Dancer]

Thanks Gin, you made perfect sense.

I don't know how I am going to make it through the work week this week since I am so excited to get on the road to Kentucky next Monday!

[TBird]

I'd like to hear what breeders here do regarding tips. Do you tip when you're being shown stallions who you are considering breeding to? Do you tip when you're being shown your own horses?

I know of someone who tips $100 when shown his own horses (2-3 mares).

We tip when we're looking at stallions we're interested in using, but not a huge amount, usually $5-10 depending on how many we see.

When we're shown our own horses, no--but then I see them all the time and nobody goes to any particular trouble on my behalf. Regarding the guy who tips $100, I'd imagine that's probably a general "thank you" bonus for good day-to-day care rather than a tip for just looking at them once. Most of the men who work at the farm where our mares live also work the yearling sales, so we generally tip them a pretty hefty amount once a year after we sell.

[janpal]

The only thing I know about tipping is what my dad taught me -- they always remember the big tippers and (at least in restaurants ) get the best service and seating (whenever possible). So, I have always tried to be a good tipper if I want good service.

[GinTalking]

The only thing I know about tipping is what my dad taught me -- they always remember the big tippers and (at least in restaurants ) get the best service and seating (whenever possible). So, I have always tried to be a good tipper if I want good service.

Maybe this is a silly question ... but since tipping occurs at the end of the 'service' (restaurant, stallions, etc.) how does anyone know if you are going to tip well, or stiff them? ;-)

[janpal]

No, not a stupid question at all, Gin! I guess I was referring to places you frequent (restaurant, stud farm, etc. ) -- although as with anything in life, I'd always try to be honest! If the person didn't give me good service, but I liked the establishment, I'd give the minimum tip without being rude. If he/she did everything correctly I'd make sure and be generous -- 20% or more at a restaurant! And if it's more than 20% they rarely forget you.

[Langfuhr]

The horse ID guy in Ocala, Buddy Hescher, tips a dollar for every horse that you hold for him. That was probably the only time when we used to fight like crazy over holding horses.

[Jas]

Regarding the guy who tips $100, I'd imagine that's probably a general "thank you" bonus for good day-to-day care rather than a tip for just looking at them once.

This is why we do it. We don't see them often, maybe 3 or 4 times a year, so it's just a "thank you" for their great work.

[Horse's Rear]

The only thing I know about tipping is what my dad taught me

I haven't had a chance to watch it, but youtube has an instructional video on tipping at farms; I assume dairy farms are much like horse farms:

[janpal]

Thanks for sharing -- that was a very enlightening and moo--ving experience! Really dig the music -- right up there with Neil Young and Sara M.! Really good to wake-up to some humor!