Frequently Asked Questions
(because time is valuable)
Client FAQs
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Barn Maids provides premium, dedicated, systematic care with professional standards.
Unlike individual freelance barn workers or informal arrangements on social media, we are a licensed, bonded, and insured business that provides reliable, consistent service with quality control and accountability.Our services include:
Providing experienced, trained staff as Barn Maids contractors
Systematic protocols and quality control measures
Reliable, consistent services that improve existing standards
Collaborating on solutions with no-nonsense feedback and clear communication
Internal HR, customer service, training, staffing, scheduling, and payroll management
Licensed, bonded, and insured business operations kept up-to-date per state requirements
To learn more about our goals and impact within the industry, please review our Mission Statement.
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All pricing is customized after a mandatory facility assessment and consultation. We DO NOT provide quotes or rates until we've completed an on-site consultation to understand your specific needs and obtain full transparency without judgement.
Why? Every facility is unique. Your pricing depends on:
Facility size and layout
Number and type of animals
Service frequency needed
Specific workload and tasks required
Current facility setup and equipment
Full-service packages typically range $1,800-5,000+ monthly depending on these factors.
Important: These ranges reflect full-time (24-7 | 365) care for individual barns with their own unique setup. Your actual quote may be different based on your specific assessment.
"Why can't you just tell me your rates?"
Our average minimum price per stall is $10 and we cannot prematurely guarantee this rate.
Providing accurate pricing without seeing your facility would be misleading. Factors that significantly impact pricing include:Distance between paddocks and barn
Water source locations and accessibility
Feed storage setup and organization
Equipment quality and availability
Number of horses and their individual needs
Terrain and facility layout
Current systems and processes in place
We believe in transparent, accurate pricing based on real assessments - not generic estimates that don't reflect your actual situation.
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The short answer: Consultations aren’t just necessary, they are mandatory in order to become a Barn Maids client.
The really long answer you should read anyway: All other tasks beyond stall cleaning are determined during the physical facility review of a normal day's workload and will not be discussed prior to a complete consultation, ever.
What is the difference between a complete consultation and an incomplete consultation?
A complete consultation is achieved if all of these boxes are checked off:
You have our undivided attention, and we have yours. If you do not segment a dedicated hour to make room for a consultation without distractions or actively engaged in another task; we will require you to reschedule a consultation.
The health of the animals are considered, and transparency is shared. It is not our job to judge your situation, but we will require you to be open to solutions and may make recommendations on how to address problems that affect the animal(s) as our priority, first and foremost.
Consideration and respect for the entire onboarding process is a shared, mutual benefit, and takes 24-hrs to complete on average. Consultations can take anywhere from 15-40 minutes based on the scale of the facility, desired services, and other details you may or may not have explicitly mentioned in your intake form.
Sometimes you don’t think to inform a stranger on all the details, and that’s okay. Until it isn’t. Let’s be honest, not all horse people are honest. As a standard rule of thumb in order to survive in this industry for the foreseeable future, we’re competent enough to understand that we set the standard for minding not just your boundaries, but ours too.
We do research on clients based on local word-of-mouth outside the drama, and consider publicly available information in order to make pragmatic, ethical decisions on behalf of the wellbeing of animals. The same way you would a trainer, a vet, a farrier, etc before doing business with them.
This is necessary for our own due diligence and to maintain the right to refuse service to anyone.Congratulations! You made it to the end. Just in case you missed it:
No, we don't provide pricing over the phone, email, or private messages or exchange a quote without first receiving your Client Intake Form submission.
A full proposal must be delivered, agreed upon, and signed before scheduling the first month of service. (Yes, payments are requested monthly by invoice.)
“Rates” are a vague frame of service and pricing because no barn is set up the same way as another.
Our curated and proven system is worth the 15 minutes it takes for an in-person consultation! -
For facilities with their own staff: We offer competitive rates that reflect Barn Maids services as support, not a replacement. Our rates are independent and separate from your current pay structure.
We can work alongside your existing team for:
Backup coverage during vacations or illness
Weekend or holiday coverage
Additional help during busy seasons
Emergency coverage when staff is unavailable
Supplemental services beyond your team's capacity
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Our current established clients and preferred clients proudly pay the price of our services and consider it insurance, not an expense.
Here's what you're actually paying for:
Reliability: Guaranteed coverage 365 days a year, no more scrambling for help
Quality: Systematic care protocols that ensure consistency
Peace of Mind: Licensed, bonded, insured professionals caring for your animals
Time Freedom: Get your evenings, weekends, and holidays back
Professional Standards: Quality control, training, and accountability
No Management Headaches: We handle all HR, scheduling, payroll, training, coordination, etc.
See our Client Testimonials
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Step 1: Schedule Consultation
Fill out the Client Intake Form and we will contact you directly to schedule your mandatory on-site facility assessment.Step 2: Facility Assessment
We visit your facility to understand your specific needs, observe a typical day's workload, assess your setup, and discuss your requirements with the goal in mind to curate your customized proposal.Step 3: Customized Proposal
We provide a detailed proposal complete with a monthly quote based on your specific facility, animals, and service needs.Step 4: Review and Decision
You review the proposal and decide if our services fit your needs and budget.Step 5: Service Agreement
If we're a good fit, we execute a service agreement and begin systematic professional care.
Why are payments monthly?
In order to pay our staff aka your team member(s) in a timely, consistent manner, all payments must be made monthly and on-time so that we can disperse their income on a reliable basis. (Certain fees may apply. Please review our policy here.)
STRICT DISCLAIMER
As a legitimate business, any disrespect made to the accuracy and thoroughness of this process is a reflection of an individual or party who may not be an ideal Barn Maids client and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
Contrator FAQs
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We treat barn work as a profession, not just a side gig.
Key differences you’ll notice about Barn Maids:
Living wages instead of minimum wage exploitation
Systematic protocols instead of inconsistent standards
Professional training instead of "figure it out yourself"
Reliable scheduling instead of chaotic last-minute changes
Worker dignity instead of being treated as disposable labor
Career pathways instead of dead-end jobs
Team support instead of being isolated and alone
Our mission: Transform equine care while empowering lives and regenerating communities. You're not just mucking stalls - you're part of changing an industry.
No. We're building a different model that benefits everyone.If you're a freelance barn worker doing well - keep going! There's room for all of us. Charge what you're worth and maintain your standards.
If you're struggling with inconsistent work, low pay, or poor treatment - we might have an opportunity for you. We're building systematic professional service that provides stable income and career development.
The industry is big enough for multiple approaches. Freelancers, professional services, and individual arrangements can all coexist. We're focused on proving that professional barn management is viable and valuable.
Is Barn Maids right for me?Barn Maids is a great fit if you:
Want to make barn work a real career with living wages and growth opportunities
Value systematic approaches and professional standards
Appreciate reliable scheduling and fair treatment
Care about animal welfare and quality care
Respect clear communication and accountability
Can handle physical work in all weather conditions
Value being part of something bigger than just a job
Barn Maids is NOT a good fit if you:
Just want easy side money with minimal commitment
Can't handle physical labor or difficult conditions
Need complete schedule flexibility with no structure
Don't want to follow protocols and systems
Prefer working alone without team accountability
Can't commit to reliability and professionalism
Don't genuinely care about animal welfare
JOIN THE TEAM – APPLY HERE
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We pay professional, living wages that reflect the skill, effort, and dedication required for quality barn care. Our pay rates are significantly above industry standard because we believe in worker dignity and fair compensation.
Pay structure varies by:
Experience level and skills
Responsibilities and service complexity
Schedule and availability
Quantity of assigned clients
Performance and reliability
Industry context: While many barns pay minimum wage to $15/hour, Barn Maids is committed to wages that allow barn work to be your primary or supplementary income, not just another gig.
Specific rates are discussed during the interview process based on your experience and the role.
How do I get paid and how often?
Payment schedule: Weekly via ZelleYou will ALWAYS be paid on time for work you actually do. This is non-negotiable and a core value of our company.
What you can depend on:
Transparent pay structure with no surprises
No delays, no excuses, no drama
Are there opportunities for raises or bonuses?
Yes! We believe in rewarding excellence and loyalty.
Performance-based raises:
Regular performance reviews
Skill development recognition
Increased responsibility = increased pay
Client satisfaction and quality metrics
Bonus opportunities:
Referral bonuses for bringing in quality team members
Client referral incentives
Performance bonuses for exceptional service
Holiday bonus potential based on company performance
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Yes! Barn Maids is more than just barn care. We're building a comprehensive equine service company.
Current and developing opportunities:
Digital Services:
Social media management for equine facilities
Website development and maintenance
Content creation and photography
Brand development and marketing
Business Operations:
Administrative support and client coordination
Scheduling and logistics management
Training and quality control oversight
Facility assessments and consultation support
Industry Development:
Grant writing for equine organizations
Industry advocacy and standards development
Training program development
Franchise and expansion support
Event Services:
Horse show booth staffing and promotion
Industry networking and representation
Client relationship management at events
Your skills matter beyond the barn. If you have capabilities in marketing, administration, photography, writing, technology, or business development—we want to hear about it.
How opportunities work:
Start with core barn care to understand our standards and systems
Demonstrate reliability and professionalism
Express interest in additional opportunities
Take on projects that match your skills and our business needs
Build a multifaceted role that utilizes your full capabilities
We're growing. As we expand services and locations, new opportunities emerge for team members who've proven themselves and want to grow with us.
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What are the typical work hours?
Barn work happens on animal schedules, which means:
Morning shifts: Typically 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Evening shifts: Typically 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Weekend and holiday coverage: Required on rotationWe offer:
Consistent, predictable scheduling
Advance notice of your schedule
Flexibility when possible for life events
Fair rotation of less desirable shifts
What we need from you:
Reliability and punctuality
Clear communication about availability
Advance notice for time off requests
Commitment to your scheduled shifts
Do I have to work weekends and holidays?
Short answer: Sometimes, yes.
Animals need care 365 days a year, including holidays. However:
We handle this fairly:
Rotating schedule so burden is shared
Holiday pay or premium compensation
Advance scheduling so you can plan
Team approach so no one is always stuck with holidays
Our philosophy: We try to honor major holidays and family time while ensuring animals receive consistent care. Communication and planning make this work for everyone.
What if I need time off?Planned time off:
Request as far in advance as possible
We work with your schedule when we can
Communicate clearly about your needs
Respect that coverage must be arranged
Emergencies and illness:
Communicate immediately
We have backup systems in place
Your wellbeing matters to us
Professional sick leave policies
Vacations:
Advance planning required
We'll work to accommodate
Depends on team capacity and coverage
What does a typical workday look like?
Morning routine (example):
Arrive at facility and check in
Review any special instructions or updates
Feed animals according to individual protocols
Clean stalls/paddocks systematically
Turnout or bring-in as scheduled
Water trough cleaning and maintenance
Facility sweeping and organization
Health checks and documentation
Communication with management about any concerns
Evening routine:
Similar systematic approach to feeding and care
Stall/paddock spot cleaning
Bring-in or turnout as needed
Final health and safety checks
Secure facility for overnight
Documentation and communication
Every day includes:
Following systematic care protocols
Documenting work completed
Communicating any animal health concerns
Maintaining equipment and facility standards
Professional representation of Barn Maids
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Entry-level positions: Experience is prioritized, and evaluated during the interview process. Some exceptions may apply.
We provide comprehensive training in systematic care protocols, safety procedures, and professional standards. What matters most is work ethic, reliability, and genuine care for animal welfare.
Advanced positions: Equine knowledge and hands-on experience required for specialized care roles.
Important: Clients are always notified of assigned staff members and matched based on compatibility and experience level.
Read more about our goals in our Mission Statement
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As an independent contractor, you are responsible for your own insurance coverage.
What this means:
You are not covered by workers' compensation insurance
You should carry your own liability insurance
You're responsible for your own health insurance
Any work-related injuries are your responsibility to manage
Barn Maids carries:
General liability insurance for business operations
Coverage for client facilities and property
Professional liability protection
Your responsibility:
Maintain appropriate personal insurance
Follow all safety protocols to prevent injuries
Use provided safety equipment properly
Report any safety concerns immediately
Our commitment: While you're an independent contractor, your safety still matters. We provide proper equipment, maintain safe working conditions, and implement professional safety protocols.
You will be required to sign a liability waiver with Barn Maids and the client if applicable.