The Employers point of view

We caught up with Tom Hawkins who, alongside his partner Tracy, runs Little Munden Equestrian Centre, to find out what it actually means to be running an equestrian business and how he achieves success.

How long have you had the business?
Three years. I was previously in the Royal Air Force Officer and then expedition leader.

What inspired you to take on the yard?
I needed a new challenge and I saw the potential in the yard. I also have a love of the equine life.

Describe the business?
We have 37 horses, five full-time and five part-time staff.  We are a general livery yard, with a mix of horses ranging from semi-retired hacks to affiliated grassroots eventers, showjumpers and dressage horses.  

What challenges have you met since taking on the yard?
The sheer volume of maintenance that is needed to bring the yard up to a high standard. The most tricky one, however, has been to change the culture of the staff team to one of sustained excellence, and then retain those said staff.

What is the ethos of the yard?
To have healthy and happy horses, make the yard a place that owners want to spend time enjoying their horses and have a staff team that look forward to coming to work.

Do you believe in Health and Safety in the workplace?
Absolutely, with an emphasis on training the staff to understand how and why it is important.

What do you do to inspire your team?
I work hard and think that you should lead by example. I will carry out all duties including mucking out, cleaning toilets etc and have a positive attitude whatever the circumstances. I make a point in praising the staff for a job well done. There is a clear plan for the yard that is communicated to the staff and we include them in the decision making process as appropriate.

Do you find recruiting staff a challenge or a pleasure?
Neither. It’s a nightmare.

Currently what is your biggest challenge as an employer?
The volume and cost of government legislation regarding pensions and the living wage.

What do you do to keep a happy and motivated team of grooms?
I asked the team and they said that top of the list (from the more experienced staff) was having a contract, a fair wage and being paid on time. 

In general, the team enjoy the variety of work, the scheduled breaks (morning and lunchtime) and that I genuinely care about them and their futures by encouraging further training. And most importantly, doughnuts at break time (especially the custard ones!)

If you could change anything, what would it be?
To have purchased the large capital items like the tractor and ATV new rather than second hand.  It works out much cheaper in the long term.

Any advice for other equine employers?
Richard Branson cannot fly a 747 but owns a successful airline. You can have a successful equine enterprise without being a grand prix rider. Treat it as a serious business rather than as a hobby. 

Be professional and courteous at all times, even during challenging conversations and put your staff before yourself. You can achieve so much more with a team that work because they want to rather than because they have to. 

On a personal level, what has really helped me has been to strive to learn new things every day; being coachable. Finally, make the time to have fun and relax.

If you have an equine business, or are a yard manager the Equestrian Employers Association is here to help you. There are lots of useful tools to help running a successful yard and managing your team - join today!