Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Qualifications of The Barn Chick?
Qualifications
Currently Studying – Bachelor of Equine Science
Commenced 2022Diploma of Equine Management
TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
Graduated 2018Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)
TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute
Graduated 2019Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute
Graduated 2016Certificate III in Horse Industry Practice (Performance Horse)
TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
Graduated 2011Equestrian Australia Introductory Riding – Certificate of Completion
Completed May 2013Equestrian Australia Introductory Horse Management – Certificate of Completion
Completed May 2013Beginning Coaching General Principles – Certificate of Completion
Australian Sports Commission
Completed 19 May 2013Equestrian Australia Level 1 General Coaching and Horse Management – Certificate of Completion
Completed April 2024
Why is your rate higher than other competitors in the local area?
Why Choose The Barn Chick?
You may notice our base rate is slightly higher than some local options—here’s why it’s worth it:
The Barn Chick is a fully licensed and insured business, registered for GST and backed by public liability insurance. We operate with full transparency and professionalism, so you always know your horses are in safe, capable hands.
Unlike many in the area, The Barn Chick holds formal qualifications, including a Diploma in Horse Industry Studies (Performance Horses) and a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – Emergency and Critical Care. This ensures your horses receive care from someone with real-world knowledge and advanced training—not just experience alone.
We provide itemised invoices via Invoice2Go, with a range of secure payment options, including contactless and electronic transactions. You'll always receive clear records for both your convenience and tax purposes.
Reliability is our promise. The Barn Chick has her own dedicated transport and is not reliant on public transport or third parties to travel between jobs. This gives you peace of mind that your horse’s care won't be disrupted due to transport issues.
With over 13 years of hands-on equine experience, including managing a large agistment property, The Barn Chick is confident and competent with horses of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. Whether handling green youngsters or seasoned campaigners, we understand that every horse is unique—and sometimes unpredictable. That’s why experience matters when things don’t go to plan.
We also pride ourselves on treating our staff with the respect they deserve. Our team is paid well above the industry average, including appropriate penalty rates on Sundays, in recognition of the time they sacrifice with their own families. While many services charge the same rate every day, The Barn Chick believes in fair pay—and we simply wouldn’t be who we are without our amazing team.
And above all—we show up. Rain, hail, or shine, your horses will never be left wondering where their human is.
What type of Horses do you handle?
Handling Policy & Horse Safety
I am confident and experienced with horses of all shapes and sizes, from miniatures to 18hh giants, and across all disciplines—from Western and Eventing to trail riding. Regardless of breed, size, or background, every horse deserves respectful and professional care.
That said, please note—as outlined in the Terms & Conditions—The Barn Chick's daily care services (feeding, rugging, mucking out, medical support, etc.) do not include basic handling or behavioural training. If your horse requires work in areas such as catching, standing tied, leading politely, or other foundational skills, these must be addressed through dedicated training sessions.
Groundwork Training Services
If your horse needs help developing or improving basic ground manners, The Barn Chick offers private groundwork training sessions at $80 per hour. These sessions are tailored to your horse's individual needs and draw on a combination of classical dressage and natural horsemanship techniques to encourage calm, responsive behaviour on the ground.
Groundwork training is not included in general care services. This is a separate offering designed to help your horse become safer and easier to manage in everyday handling situations.
I am also happy to recommend a trusted professional trainer if needed, free of charge. However, please note that The Barn Chick accepts no responsibility for the outcomes of any services rendered by third-party professionals.
Safety First
All horses will be cared for rain, hail, or shine. However, if a horse is deemed unsafe to handle—for example, rearing, kicking, or refusing to be caught during routine care—the owner will be contacted immediately, and the service may not be completed for safety reasons.
Additional time blocks may be scheduled (in 30-minute increments) for more complex or difficult cases, and every effort will be made to complete services using best handling practices—including positive reinforcement, patience, and a calm, confident approach.
Who is The Barn Chick Insured With?
Insurance Matters
Many equine insurance policies only provide coverage for non-income earning activities, so it’s crucial to confirm that any service provider you hire is properly insured. Accidents can—and unfortunately do—happen. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
The Barn Chick is fully insured at all times under an Affinity General & Products Liability Insurance Policy, ensuring protection for both humans and horses during all services.
In addition, all staff employed by The Barn Chick are covered under the business's Workers Compensation insurance policy, providing peace of mind that if an injury were to occur on the job, they are fully supported and protected in accordance with NSW workplace safety standards.
For any insurance-related queries or to request policy documentation, please feel free to contact:
📧 TheBarnChick@outlook.com.au
What Payment options does The Barn Chick Offer?
Payment Information
All pricing is listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise specified.
Payment is required within 7 days of the services being provided. Invoices are issued on a weekly basis and can be sent via Messenger, email, or text—whichever you prefer.
We offer multiple convenient payment options:
Direct deposit
Cash
PayPal
For direct deposit, please use the following details:
Account Name: The Barn Chick
BSB: 112 879
Account Number: 494 790 849
When making a deposit, please include your name and/or your horse’s name or the service date in the reference so we can easily match the payment to your invoice.
To help us track payments efficiently—especially as bank transfers can take 2–3 business days to process—we kindly ask that you also send a confirmation via Messenger or text once payment has been made.
What is this GST on my invoice?
Understanding GST on Your Invoice
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based 10% tax applied to most goods, services, and other items sold or consumed in Australia. Businesses are responsible for collecting GST on behalf of the government when they provide taxable products or services. These funds are paid to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and are then distributed to support public services and infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and roads.
GST was introduced on 1 July 2000, replacing a variety of previous state and federal taxes, levies, and duties. Ultimately, GST is paid by the end consumer—you, the client—at the point of purchase.
(Information source: A Guide to GST and How it Applies to Your Business – squareup.com)
At The Barn Chick, we choose to display the GST component separately on your invoice. This is done to ensure complete transparency, so you can clearly see how your total is calculated and where your money is going.
Many other businesses choose to absorb GST into their listed pricing, so you may not see a specific GST line item on receipts—supermarkets are a common example. In those cases, the GST is built into the price you see on the shelf.
We believe that clear and open invoicing supports better communication and helps our clients understand exactly what they’re paying for.