Happy Team = Happy Horses

“You have to give it to it get back”  We caught up with Christine Shubrook, owner and Manager of Thundry Farm.

Can you tell us a little bit about your yard?
We are a livery and training yard based in Surrey. I have three people in my team, a Head Girl, one Haddon Training apprentice and another girl who has recently joined us. My team are all great. The maximum we run is 14 liveries, including my own horses. When we are at capacity we have a Saturday girl as well.

What inspired you to build your own business?
I couldn’t find anywhere to keep my own horses with the service I wanted. When I had my horses in livery I knew there was a lot of things that needed doing which didn’t get done each day. When we bought the farm we started with a few liveries and built up from there. We’ve put a lot in over 30 years. 

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced so far?
If anything depresses me or makes me feel like giving up its staffing issues. Whether it’s the government putting up the NMW and limiting employers on what they can charge for rent. My girls are all worth it, but you couldn’t rent somewhere for £42 per week where we live. We do things properly and by the book but the perception to clients is that we are expensive. Sometimes people don’t appreciate the work goes on behind the scenes.

In your opinion what makes an excellent employee?
For me it’s somebody who buys into the yard. I don’t expect them to be as committed as I am, that’s my problem and I need to learn to switch off, but it is somebody though who understands we are all working hard. And also someone who is completely honest and considerate of others around them.

What are the most important elements of being a good employer?
You have to give it to it get back. You need to allow time off and respect that they have a life outside of the yard.

What is the best way to motivate a team?
Give praise where praise is due. Every now and again we take everyone out for dinner or out for the night, but there needs to be a balance of giving them their own space.

What changes to the business do you notice when you have an effective team all working well together?
Happy team = happy horses.

Christine is an EEA Member and gets all the benefits of membership. Do you belong yet? 

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