So You Think You Need a Trainer

Choosing A Trainer

So You Think You Need a Trainer
Some Thoughts on What to Look For
Submitted by Jewel, 1/11/2009

I read with great sadness the link on here regarding the Quarter Horse abused at a well known stable in the States. I won't go into what I think should happen to the people responsible but suffice it to say we live in a sad world when a "professional" can do things like this. So you want to send your horse out to a trainer and you don't want an experience like this so what do you do? I thought I might offer some insights from my more than 40 years of experience as a rider, competitor, trainer and coach.

The first and most important point BEFORE you go to a trainer is deciding exactly what it is you want your horse to do. It isn't sufficient to say well I need a Basic Dressage Test or I need a Number 10 reining test or I want a No. 3 cowhorse pattern. From where you and your horse are to these goals may be many miles indeed so some preplanning and decision making is time well spent. So how do you do this if you are a novice or even an intermediate or experienced person? Good question.

Sit down and write out exactly where your horse is now. Does it halter, lead, tie, stand to be tacked up, bathe, groom, have its feet done, trailer all without problem. Don't fool yourself, if your horse is sometimes bad or mostly bad be honest because if there's one thing horses don't do, that's lie about where they're at so you lying to a trainer isn't helping anyone.

Next decide exactly where you want your horse to be when it comes home from the trainer. Should it be going walk, trot, canter, do flying changes, pirouettes and two track or is it supposed to be doing perfect sliding stops and flying changes; or perhaps it's an equitation horse and you're needing a good flat kneed jog and smooth collected lope with a great head set. Whatever the goal is, the more specific you are about what it should look like the easier you are making the trainer's job.

Now comes the tough part, it's time to really do your homework on the people you are considering. It isn't enough to just think because you go to a big name trainer that you are going to get what you paid for. Sometimes that's true, but sometimes it isn't. And it can be not true with terrible consequences to your horse as other articles on this site have demonstrated. No one would pay to have their horse treated that way and no real professional needs to use cruelty to get performance. That's not training, that's abuse. Ask around and see whose name keeps coming up. Ask the person for references and then also ask them to give you the name of a customer that wasn't satisfied.

We all, as trainers, get customers that are impossible. It wouldn't matter if you walked on the moon with their horse they wouldn't be satisfied. These are, fortunately, rare but they do come along. If a trainer refuses to give you references or says that their reputation speaks for itself, walk on by. When you do talk to people who have had their horses with the person you are considering ask the hard questions. Did the horse go in good condition -- did it come home in the same or better condition than it went in? Were there any injuries while the horse was there? Take into account that injuries can happen, especially in the high performance (roping, reining, barrels, dressage, etc.) sports but how did they happen, were they reported, were they promptly treated, etc. You get the idea - don't be afraid because this is information you need to make an informed decision.

Once you have narrowed your field down, then make the rounds of your final choices. Although it is great to have an appointment, if you have any doubts, show up without an appointment. Work days can be busy but a trainer's business is his clients so pay attention to how you are treated. Do they stop and talk with you, or explain that the day is very busy and ask if they can make a further appointment to spend time with you? Are you invited to watch a training session or hang around the barn and have a look see or did you end up being given the bum's rush?? Is the establishment as clean as the situation permits? Is the barn clean and well maintained? It doesn't have to be something out of Kentucky Homes and Gardens to be a good barn. I have seen situations where the barn was nothing to write home about but the horses received the best of care and were extremely well treated and maintained. Are the fences in good repair whatever type they are? Is there water available in the paddocks and pastures? Is the staff helpful and knowledgeable?

Other questions when you are actually talking with the trainer should include information about their training process. Does the trainer ask you about your goals for your horse or are they only trying to sell you a package? If they are a high end, highly visible trainer are they flexible if your horse needs time? Ask about their training values and philosophy? Do they treat all the horses the same or is the program individualized for your horse. And if they say it is, well then ask how they do that? Does their barn carry insurance in case your horse is injured or killed? Is everything that is to be done in writing? Are there any guarantees with the training? Are lessons included or are they extra?

The single most important question you can ask is whether or not you can be present at any or all of the training sessions. If the answer to this is no - THEN LEAVE!!!! I can't imagine any other situation in our daily lives where we would expend large amounts of money and then be told that we can't be present when that money is being spent. Whether your horse is your pet or just a business investment is irrelevant - nothing should be happening behind closed doors. Personally, there is no way I would leave one of my animals with someone who was taking my money and then going to tell me that I couldn't be there to see my horse being trained. What are they hiding? I have had this argument with other trainers and my personal experience has been that they are either so egotistical that they think someone might be better than them if they watch or else they are using techniques that are questionable and don't want to be found out. And of course there is always the last and ugliest reason of all, and that's that they are not doing the work you are paying them to do. Maybe they have assistant trainers riding your horse (you aren't paying for assistant trainers in most cases - and what are their qualifications anyway - a point to check out) or maybe they are just taking your money and your horse is getting a minimal amount of work but no where near what you think.

These are all questions that you need answers to before you plunk your money down and unload old Dobbin in the trainers yard. Unexpected visits shouldn't yield terrible results. These are just a few of the things you need to consider when choosing a trainer. In my barn no horses come until the owner has been for a visit first. They are shown around the barn and the tackroom and a discussion takes place about the owner's goals for their horse, the type of equipment they want to use as an end result, where their horse is at currently, whether they want to participate, watch or take lessons and a general timeframe is set. The boarding contract is signed, board is paid and an arrival date is agreed upon.

Once a horse arrives at the stables the first thing we do is take it's picture. Not only is this great if a loss should occur unexpectedly, but it is also a means of identification for the barn. As well, it is amazing how correct training will change a horse's body and so a "before" picture and an "after" picture can tell a wonderful story. The horse is given a few days to settle in. During this time they are handled in the barn, trimmed up, groomed and basically assessed for ground manners. After this the serious work begins according to whatever the owner's goals are. If its a youngest to be started their schedule is different than a seasoned rope horse in for a tune up. The one thing that is not different for any horse that comes in is a training diary.

We do a diary which includes the "before" picture, initial assessment, owner's goals and trainer's assessment. To this is added a daily entry of the work done, equipment used, problems encountered, how they were resolved, whether they showed up again later, and even the weather (if working outside). I have found that if I am working 5-7 horses a day 5 days a week, two weeks later I couldn't tell you what I did on a particular day. The training diary allows me to go back and review when a problem pops up and gives the owner a precise record of what was done with their horse. I don't have to remember anything and the record speaks for itself. When the horse is ready to go home, we do the "after" picture and it, along with any recommendations for feed, blanketing, tack and handling are included as the final entry and the diary is presented to the owner.

Every barn will be different but a "professional" barn should be offering you something that justifies the money you are spending. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions and keep in mind that if you find it too hard to ask before your horse arrives, it will be nearly impossible after they do. You want to work with someone who makes you feel welcome, valuable and who is interested in more than your pocketbook. There are many terrific pros out there who do an amazing job for their customers. Keep looking until you find one of those gems and when do you, appreciated the hell out of them because they are worth every penny you invest.

Happy trails.

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By L Greco at 1/13/2009 7:13:41 PM
The Right Trainer
Jewel has done an outstanding job in writing about trainers; what to look for, ask, and expect. No horse deserves abuse, and owners who send horses to trainers should also not expect the training to be completed in the least amount of time. Rushing a horse during training causes confusion--a confused horse reacts--trust and bonding is broken--then the horse is punished in some fashion by a trainer who is pressured to get the job done quickly. These are not attributes in training a horse, which requires time and skill. Each horse learns based on its own personality and physical abilities. Some horses take longer than others. When a trainer is not training on a daily basis, as they are supposed to do, and is keeping the horse in training for the monthly paycheck, and extending undue time and taking your money for a job not being performed is another aspect to watch out for. Know your horse's needs and find a trainer who is upfront and honest. They are out there. But when it's all for the win, and no longer for the reward of accomplishment, is when this business takes a big hit in the wrong direction. A good trainer will encourage and invite the owner to watch and participate, after all, its the owner who will end up riding the horse in the end. The better trainers will put both horse and rider together to form what I feel is the final result of a finished product. Jewel's article should be printed out by those who are beginners and anyone who needs to remember the good points in seeking out a good horse trainer.

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