How
to Pick a Trainer
By Todd Martin
The time of year is fast approaching when horse people begin to look
for a trainer to start their young ones that will be turning two this
coming year. So, I figured that it would be a good time to write one
on how to get a little bit ahead of the game in finding that right
trainer for your prospect.
First thing that I would do is
find out what discipline it was that I wanted to try my horse out
in. For the most part the first 90 days or so is going to be the same
training whether it is towards western pleasure or working cowhorse.
But, there is a bonus to having your horse started by someone who
is showing in the event that you are wanting to do. That trainer will
be able to tell you faster as to whether or not your horse has the
potential to compete in your chosen discipline.
OK, so now we know what event, how do we find reputable trainers?
First place to look is the local horse publications to get contact
information Another place is your breed affiliate websites like AQHA
or the Paint Horse Association. These associations have a list of
professionals and some event associations have the same. Another place
to find a trainer is at the horse shows. Attend some shows and watch
some of the trainers in action. How do they handle the horses that
they are riding?
Now you have a couple of names and numbers, what is next? Call and
talk to the trainers you have in mind, and find out if their program
fits you and your ideas. Next, plan a time to go to their place and
visit to make sure that the place and the care of the horses meets
your expectations. You can also ask for references, but I can not
imagine someone giving you a reference of someone who had a bad experience.
However, it would give you some perspective from some one else.
Here is where the advice gets
pretty frank. If you have read any of my articles in the past you
know that I really like to keep things real and tell it like it is,
or at least the way I see it. So here it goes. The best advice that
I can give you when looking for a trainer is to go with your gut feeling
about the person. You know, your instinct will tell you a great deal
about someone. If you feel uneasy, there is a reason, that is your
gut telling you something. If you want a gut check then ask around
some and see what you get in response. Keep in mind though that there
is always a couple of people that are dissatisfied. I was even fired
once from training because I would not yell at their daughter.
Here are a couple of questions
that prospective clients have asked me and some of my responses:
How often do you work your horses
and for how long?
Horses can handle 45 minutes
of training a day at the most, 15 minutes of warm up 30 minutes of
learning, then some cool down. 4 to 5 days a week. Some horses can
handle more and some less it really depends on the horse.
How much experience do you have?
A lot of time that depends on the age of the trainer. If he/she is
25 years old, 5 years is a lot. But 5 years is not much when you are
45. Here is a good gauge, if it takes around 3 to 4 years to make
a really good seasoned horse for the show pen then how could a person
learn any faster.
How much do you charge and what
does that include?
Training charges usually include training and board. Board being stall,
shavings, the cleaning of, feed, hay, water, lights, blanketing your
horse, basic care. This does not include supplements, attending to
additional medical needs, hauling, showing, selling.
What is your fee for selling
my horse for me?
Yes people believe it or not trainers actually like to make a living
the same as you. It is acceptable for a trainer to get ten percent
of the sale price of the horse which is paid by the seller. Think
of it like a Realtor. You are paying for the trainers contacts and
ability to show your horse to best of the horses ability. If you decide
that you want X amount for your horse and what ever he makes on top
of that is his then do not be surprised if your trainer sells the
horse and makes more money than you did because you undervalued your
horse. The 10 percent works best, it keeps you both honest and motivates
your trainer to sell him with your best interests at heart.
How much does showing cost?
This is something that you need to establish from the beginning with
your trainer. Expenses you should expect to pay when going to a show
are stall fee, shavings, entry fees, hotel expense for trainer, tack
stall fee, hauling expense and trainers day fee. This is a basic list,
some trainers charge for things like stall decorations, clipping or
even saddling your horse. For the most part it seems like a lot of
money, but keep in mind the trainer is only making the day fee (unless
you charge for clipping and saddling). If you are competing in an
event with winnings, you should definitely discuss that before hand.
Some trainers take 50% of winnings, this is something you need to
negotiate in the beginning and not after a class has been won.
You need to look at things from
both sides when dealing with your trainer. If you expect your trainer
to work your horse 7 days a week and all day long, then you should
expect to pay him like a full time worker. Trainers also like to have
days off, you work 5 days a week and get days off. We normally work
5 days a week plus show or give lessons on the weekends. Also your
expenses for a weekend show may be $400, more or less depending on
the show. Your trainer usually makes somewhere around $80 dollars
for that whole weekend. Believe me he is not getting rich off of you.
It should not cost your trainer to show your horse, remember this
is his job and your hobby not the other way around.
I know that there are horror
stories out there about trainers, some may be true and some not. There
are just as many horror stories out there about owners too. I have
heard horrible stories about possible clients and once in the barn
turned out to be just fine. Then I have had others that acted so sincere
and sweet and ended up being the horror story. It really comes down
to an open line of communication, and getting to know the person that
you are about to do business with before jumping in head first. A
wise man once said believe nothing of what you hear and half of what
you see.
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