Helping out at a stable

[Toz]

Hi
Last week, my mum asked the owner of the stables I ride at if I could go and help there. The owner said that she would talk to the older helpers about it.
I'm going for my riding lesson tonight. It's just that I don't know if she will tell me or if I'll need to remind her when I get there...
Do you have any ideas of how I can remind her?
How could I show that I'm committed to working and will pull my weight?
Also, if all goes well (fingers crossed) do you have any tips for helping at a stable? I am quite experienced at tacking up, turning out etc, so I have some knowledge but any extra would be appreciated.
Thanks all

 

[Dozy Mare]

I'm assuming you will have had your lesson by now? The best thing you can do is just ask, try not to be pushy but just mention that your mum had said she'd spoken to the yard owner. With regards to showing commitment etc that will mainly be hard work. If the yard owner hasn't mentioned about your helping out there at all and you didn't want to broach the subject, you could turn up a bit early for your lesson and help tack up the ponies that will be ridden (you can always suggest it will save them time if you help a bit and someone would just have to check the tack out before someone gets on instead of tacking up fully) and then help with untacking afterwards, if you still have time after you've tacked up before your lesson then you could ask if they need anything else doing eg. skipping/mucking out, hays, water sweeping yard etc make a few suggestions. It's always hard starting on a new yard anyway, good luck!

 

[LynH]

It's too late for me to comment on how to ask her but as far as tips for helping at a stables....

Ask for things to do so you are not seen to be hanging around not doing anything, offer to do the jobs you know how to do or watch someone else doing something you don't know how to do.
If you don't know how to do something or think something looks wrong don't be afraid to ask or get people to check what you have done. People are usually keen to help and happy to pass on their knowledge.
Be as happy doing the rubbish jobs as you are doing your preferred activities.
Enjoy yourself and be open to learning everything.

Good luck, I hope she says yes.

 

[twiggy2]

how did it go OP?