Bad First Impression

So I moved to a new barn and I met a really nice girl named Chrissy. She helped me out a lot on my first day. There are two barns and Chrissy, myself, and this other lady Renee are the only people that own horses that are in the second barn. I was filling up Blue's bucket and I made SURE I turned the water off and drained it before I left. The barn manager comes in every morning and gives the horses water and hay. There is a water hose in the middle of the barn and one at the back of the barn where the wash stalls are. I used the one by the wash stall because Blue's barn is in the very back next to the hose. I walked into the barn this morning and there was a note that said "Marissa, Make sure you turn off the water and drain the hose before you leave. It will cost you a LOT of money if they freeze." Sure I didn't pay much thought to it and Chrissy said that someone left the water hose on. I wrote back "I made sure I turned the hose off and it was drained." and something else about my horse not being out in bad weather. So Renee walked into the barn, I've never talked to her before because he just got to the barn Sunday night. She came up to me and said "by the way that hose was on this morning and it will flood the barn its happened before" it wasn't even the hose I used. I tried telling her but she stormed out of the barn. I talked to Chrissy and she said that a lot of people switch to the main barn because of her. She's very hard to get a long with. If I can't get to the barn I have to rely on her to feed Blue for me. I don't want to make a bad impression so how can I try to turn her impression of me around? I really do not want any drama in the barn, I've took all I can take of people at barns pushing me around. What can I say to her to attempt to get on her good side?

I hate notes. Notes always come off witchy! Always talk in person to begin with and send an email to confirm. I'm not griping you, but I have to vent. What is wrong with society?! What happened to introducing yourself to someone with a smile and a hand shake?

To correct this problem... walk up with a smile on your face, shake her hand and say "Sally, Sorry, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Sorry the hose was left on, I didn't use that hose but I will try and help you keep an eye out to make sure it stays off." Don't blame her, don't blame someone else just offer to help.

If you have a request in the way your horse is handled, approach the barn manager (NOT the worker) and start off with something pleasant "Hey Sally, How are you?" or "Hey Sally, Spot's looking good today!" "Quick Question, can WE keep Rocket in his stall when it rains? He always pulled a shoe when he went out in the rain at the last barn. Let me know if there is any additional charges for it. Thanks!" and then send an email to verify your request in writing.

We leave notes because the barn manager is always in the main barn not the back barn, she only comes in to feed and turn out. However, not everyone is on the same schedule so notes help us communicate. I work almost everyday and I can't stay long until I have a day off. I was going to introduce myself to Renee when I saw her but she didn't give me a chance.

Is this barn miles away....probably not :)

So, take the time to walk to the other barn, and find her and talk to her.

I totally agree w Star. Notes are a great way to come across as a b*tch, or to not get the message out, as someone has erased it.

The only time we leave notes is its a generalized message to the entire barn....but if its directed to a specific person, its first face to face, then text, and finally email if needed.