Tips for a happy ‘Hay Man’
The ‘hay man’ may arrive at your yard on a weekly or monthly basis, however many times you may see him or her, it’s up to you to make sure your delivery is a smooth process for all involved. Follow these tips to help keep your hay man happy
- Don’t scarper! Help will most probably be needed to maneuver hay bales into place so please don’t run for the hills the minute you see them!
- Pay up! Don’t expect your supplier to come back on another date, or be happy to take payment the next time around
- If it’s the first delivery make sure you give clear directions on how to get to the yard and where you want your delivery leaving….
- Clear away where you need the delivery to go before the day
- Make sure access is open and clear from obstacles
- Order in advance, not the day before you need supplies
- As equestrians love to chat, your ‘hay man’ may not be interested in your horses daily routine, habits or whether your saddle fits, keep deliveries short and sweet
- If for some reason you aren’t able to be there make sure payment is left in a safe place and let him or her know where it is. Advise the yard owner/manager they are coming so access is possible
- If there’s a problem with your delivery either say something before they leave or contact them, if you notice afterwards, as soon as you can. It’s advisable not to leave it till the next time they visit or when you ring for your next order
- Try and order in bulk (if your pocket allows) and group together with other owners so deliveries are less frequent
These point may seem incredibly simple but can often be missed and cause undue concern or problems for your ‘hay man’. If you agree please share to spread the message; A happy hay man is a hay man that’ll want to return …
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.