How to Collect Testimonials for Your Barn

Testimonials are one of the most powerful tools on your website. When a potential client reads that another parent’s kid “gained so much confidence” or a boarder says “this is the best barn I’ve ever been at,” it builds trust in a way your own words can’t.

But most barn owners don’t have testimonials ready when it’s time to build their site. Here’s how to collect them.

Step 1: Understand Why They Matter

People trust other people. Before booking a lesson or touring a barn, most visitors want to know what others think.

Testimonials help because:

They’re social proof — Someone else took the risk and was happy with the result
They paint a picture — A client’s story helps visitors imagine their own experience
They answer unspoken questions — “Is this barn right for someone like me?”

You don’t need hundreds to start. A handful of genuine, specific testimonials will do more than a wall of generic five-star ratings.

Step 2: Identify Who to Ask

Think about clients who would have something good to say. You probably already know who they are.

Good candidates include:

Long-term clients — Anyone who’s been with you 6+ months clearly likes what you do
Parents who’ve seen growth — A kid who went from nervous to confident is a great story
Boarders who switched barns — They can speak to what makes you different
Show families — Results and ribbons make for compelling testimonials
Adult riders — Returning-to-riding stories resonate with a big audience

Tip: If someone has ever said something nice to you in person, they’re a great person to ask.

Step 3: Make It Easy to Say Yes

Most people are happy to help — they just need a little nudge. Keep your ask simple and low-pressure.

Here’s what works:

Text or email — Don’t overcomplicate it. A quick message is fine.
Be specific — Instead of “Can you write a testimonial?”, try “Would you mind sharing a sentence or two about your experience?”
Give them a prompt — Some people freeze when asked to write. A question helps: “What’s been your favorite part of riding here?”

Most people will respond within a day or two. If they don’t, a gentle follow-up is okay.

Step 4: Get Permission

Before putting someone’s words on your website, make sure you have their okay.

What to confirm:

Permission to use their words — A simple “Is it okay if I use this on our website?” works
Permission to use their name — Some people prefer first name only or initials
Photo permission — If you want to include a photo, ask separately (especially important for minors)

You don’t need a formal release for most situations. A text reply saying “Yes, that’s fine!” is enough.

Sample Request Message

Copy, paste, and personalize:

“Hi [Name]! I’m working on updating our website and would love to include a few words from clients. Would you be willing to share a sentence or two about your experience at [Barn Name]? No pressure at all — but if you’re open to it, I’d really appreciate it! You can just reply to this message with whatever comes to mind.”

Collecting Testimonials Never Ends

This isn’t a one-time task you check off before your website launches. A barn with 500 reviews is more trusted than a barn with 5.

Build it into your routine:

Ask after a successful show season

Ask when a rider hits a milestone (first canter, first jump, first ribbon)

Ask when someone renews their lease or boarding contract

Ask when a parent mentions how much their kid loves coming to the barn

The more you collect over time, the stronger your reputation becomes — on your website, on Google, and everywhere else.

Don’t Have Any Testimonials Yet?

That’s okay — everyone starts somewhere.

Even 2–3 good testimonials make a real difference

Google and Facebook reviews count too (we can pull quotes from those)

Ask your most loyal clients this week — you might be surprised how willing they are

We can also help you set up a simple system to collect testimonials going forward.

Ready to Gather Your Testimonials?

Start with 3–5 clients you know are happy. Send them a quick message this week. You’ll have testimonials ready before you know it.

If you’d rather talk through your approach, schedule a call and we’ll help you identify who to ask and what to say.