How should I handle this situation when I feel the horse my student is planning to purchase is unsafe?

Question

The barn I work at sells horses in addition to boarding and teaching. I find myself in a position of being caught in between the owners who are selling the horse, and my student who is buying the horse. I feel loyalty to both. I feel like the horse is unsafe and unsuitable. How can I handle this situation?

Answer 1

To work at a barn that is selling horses to your students is a conflict of interest. Of course, if the barn owners are allowing you to give lessons, perhaps even use their horses to do it, you need to be loyal to them. If you bite the hand that feeds you, you could be out of a job.



But you also have a duty to your student. How will you feel if s/he gets injured?



And you have a duty to yourself and your reputation. If you tell the student to buy the horse, and it proves to be dangerous, you look bad.



You should talk to the barn owner first and let them know that you can not support them in selling this horse to this student. Then you should tell the student your opinion of the horse.



Then, you should look for another barn where you can give lessons. The ideal situation would be to find a place of your own; if that is impossible, I would suggest finding a barn where they board only, and do not buy and sell horses. That is, if you own some lesson horses of your own.

Answer 2

I think that you would be lying to both parties if you DIDN'T say what you felt. If the student purchases this horse it will be unfair to both your student AND the horse!



If either party does not understand where you are coming from that is sad.



If you really feel that you cannot say anything then maybe someone else could bring it up.



I would try talking to the owners of the horse first privately and see what they think. If they just want to sell and are not concerned about the horse then I would speak to the student (or the student's parents) and speak your concerns and see if possibly the student could have a trial period with the horse for a month or so.

Answer 3

I think you have to say about your concerns - sit down and explain why you feel it is an unsafe combination. I would be inclined to talk to the owners and the student seperatly depending on how well you know them.

All you can do is voice your concerns and then at least the student will be buying the horse in full knowledge should she go ahead with buying the horse and you can't really do any more.