The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

How do you feel about sending horses off to trainers?

20K views 145 replies 58 participants last post by  SouthernTrails 
#1 ·
This goes for any horse for any kind of training, including rehabilitation. I've read lots of threads about people who buy a horse and then send it off to a trainer for six months to be trained for reining, dressage, bucking/rearing problems, and even just exercise. The horse returns fully trained and cured of everything, and the owner can then use the horse in shows.

But this gives me two impressions 1. That the owner isn't skilled enough to be able to train the horse these things by themselves, so they are probably not very advanced riders or interested in understanding the horse's psychology. 2. The owner is not willing to take the training with the horse, and the owner cannot understand where certain problems arose in the first place to cause such bucking/rearing etc. Or if it was competition training, the horse has been programmed to respond like a machine, and the owner will have no other choice but to treat it as such because they have not developed that "feel" with their horse since it has been gone.

Take in mind, this is training for extended periods of time over a few months, not a few days or weeks. So this doesn't really apply for someone who needed a quick fix for a quick problem. But it just rips me up when I hear about people who do this. Buck Brannaman said that your horse is a reflection of your soul. If you are an insecure, hectic person, your horse will reflect it. If you are mentally balanced and in control, then your horse will reflect that. But when you send your horse off to a trainer for months at a time and turn it into the horse you want, then you're receiving someone else's soul. You're receiving a horse who has become in-tune to someone else, and it's a bit like wearing someone else's shoes.

I understand that sometimes people have no choice but to send their horse to a trainer for a few months, especially for serious problems. But what I don't understand is why people wouldn't take the opportunity to see this as lessons. If your horse bucks, what's stopping you from being there with your horse for (if not all, then) most of their lessons in order to help your horse overcome the problem while also learning where it came from and how to prevent it? If you send your horse off to training for competition, why didn't you want to be there to help train the horse so you can learn how it's done, and gain a deeper understanding of your discipline?
 
See less See more
#40 ·
I break. While I can stick to a horse that bolts, rears, crow hops, spooks violently, etc, I cannot sit a bucker, and I would rather not break something. again. Any horse I have that I suspect will try bucking under saddle I will send away for initial training(although I will check in regularly to see progress)


There are tons of people that dont enjoy the intitial training phase and riding very green horses. thus they send them away, ride a few times on their horse with the trainer supervising, and take home a horse that knows the basics already.
 
#42 ·
I have sent horses to training. I would go and visit the horse for an update but honestly I found even that awkward. I can't imagine doing that everyday. I went out to watch the horse work and everyone at the barn was there . That made for a very awkward and judge filled session with the horse. They all kept talking about how "great a bond" the trainer and the horse had. I got sick of that after about 20 minutes and said "and he will form just as great a bond with whomever buys him". At the end of the day, he is a horse and bonds with the person that feeds him. I have a great mare, I get her and she gets me. She is the first horse I halter broke. She holds a grudge and is clever. I am 90% positive that our bond is in my head, I am okay with that. She likes me well enough but I don't think she regards me as all that amazing. I regard her as amazing.

I think at the end of the day, I am paying someone to train the horse not train me. I am not saying that training me is not important. I would expect to pay a higher price for training me and the horse. Just because you can train a horse does not mean you can communicate that with the owner.

This summer I will be trying to put some first rides on a mare. This is the first time I have done this after being around horses for 20 years. I am only doing this because I can't find a good trainer and I am sick of fixing training issues. If I could find someone who would do a good job with this horse I would send her in a minute. I don't like hitting the ground and I am sick of riding horses (often from a trainer) that buck or rear. I have reached the point where I don't want to fall if I don't have to.
 
#44 ·
There's a million reasons why people send horses out to get trained - most or all of them stated above.

As an ex-trainer I would absolutely encourage owners to come and watch and learn - but that choice was theirs. As long as I got the horse back to them in useable, workable function that they needed, not really my issue.
I never looked at any of my clients as someone who didn't emotionally care about their horse, but someone who was responsible enough to do the right thing - the thing they couldn't.

Bottom line - their horse, their choice. Who cares?
Why are we judging them on this?
 
#45 ·
Sorry did not read all the comments but here for example I was selling a really well trained horse and when people called me about my mare they asked me who trained that horse and I said, well me and my partner because that is what we do and horses are our live and job, we spend at least 7 hours a day with them, EVERY DAY.... well some people said: Oh, well the horse has not been trained by a "professional" trainer, well then I am not interested. What is wrong with training your horse without certification, I think we have more certification from our horses (as they are well trained) then some people that can proof that they have some kind of "official certification"... I know there is really good certificated trainers out there but before assuming something I would rather go and try the horse out before judging...

I do agree with the OP in training your horses yourself and having THAT connection with your horse BUT totally understand that some people give their horses away for training - is it because of lack of time, experience or whatever... Just for me personally, I would never give my horses away for training, in fact I am buying horses that have never been handled or have been abused and give them a very natural horselife (outside in herd) and train them the way I want them to be! That is what my life is about and I hope it never changes!!!
 
#46 ·
I'm not sure where some people are getting the idea that just because those of us who don't want to train a youngster ourselves, won't have a bond with our horses. Bonds are forged by time and experiences, not initial training.

I got JJ a month after he was let down from the racetrack. I immediately sent him to a professional trainer in order to retrain him to be a saddle horse. He was with her 3 months, and has been at home with me 3 years. Guess who has the better bond with him? Certainly not the trainer!

I took him on a trail ride with that trainer last year, and she remarked how close he and I were to each other. It's how you treat them AFTER training that matters, not who does their original training.
 
#49 ·
Your intention may not be to put people down, OP, however your posts (in my opinion) do come across as a bit 'condescending' towards those who do not choose to do things your way. Something to keep in mind before getting defensive.

I don't believe 'bond' is something you should even consider when you send your horse off to training. Bond is not achieved through a few months of training, my coach was commenting yesterday that it takes years to achieve a trusting bond with a horse, and after over a year of competing with Jackson we're finally starting to 'click' on course, which definitely translates over into everyday riding / interaction. Do I think that would have been sacrificed had I chosen to send him to training? No. If I could have afforded training I probably would have taken the opportunity, because I didn't have time to ride every day so the process of getting to where we are was a slow one. Now that we are working consistently together it was a rewarding process, but there were lots of speedbumps and injuries that could have been avoided. Had I gotten a trainer I don't believe my bond would be ANY different.
 
#51 ·
I don't agree with it at all.. Whats the point of even buying one if your not going to do anything with it. You basically buying a horse just to win. Plus you won't even bond with it. Me and my horse bonded the most during training!
I also know of many people who did and One of there horses were not treated well at all! She came back with many scratches and there was loss of hair where the halter was cuz they never took it off and the had a chain on WAY to tight and there wasn't any hair around that area either. Another horse came back worse.
I could go on and on but I will just say you never know what they could be doing when your not there. Or what they could be lying about.
I don't mind if you would go out there everyday or once and a wile to see how and what the trainers doing thats ok.

My trainer is also a horse trainer but what i like about him is he has the owners to come out every week or so to see what he did and so they can work with the horse too... Don't just send it for a couple monthes then bring him back.
 
#52 ·
For those that compete at the uppermost levels of their discipline, a trainer is very necessary to keep a horse that is competitive at those levels.

That means work by a professional horseman/woman that can bring horse along, that can feel what is going on, and that can get horse to those levels. Very few backyard owners can do that.

And in cases of some breeds, having a professional stable, means in addition to the trainer, you have grooms too, such as a Saddlebred barn, so that your horse is ready to hit that ring, and has been cared for properly. 20+ feet tails are not for the light hearted to care for.

And those barns also have access to the farriers needed to keep horses shod, and the vets that have the latest in training too. As well as the rigs to transport those horses to venues.

And I find it odd, that if your family has had so many horses and trained so many, that you have never had your own horse? Nor seem to know much about horse training for that matter.
 
#53 ·
It is up to the owner to look at references and check in on your animal. Not all trainers a good trainers, it is up to you to ensure you are sending your animal somewhere safe. I suggest you read the posts in this thread again, nobody is advocating spending no time with their horses. Many want a horse that they are able to rise and enjoy, many have jobs and families and do not have time to train their own animal.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#55 ·
I bought Ben knowing he was 9 and basically unbroken, and I bought a nice horse for a lower price because of that.

I sent him out for 60 days to a local guy who I know will start a horse by getting on and riding him out, letting him see and experience stuff. At the end of 60 days I had a nice soft faced forward going horse. After a couple of weeks on my own he was going sour, due to my inexperience. I am now working with a trainer who is helping both of us, but as she says her mouth can't keep up with everything that you need to do when you need to do it.

I am seriously considering putting Ben to her to put another 30 days on, while still riding him in lessons with her, I won't consider our bond to be any less, because we still have to be able to dance together to do well in Dressage, and that is all about ongoing subtle communications between horse and rider.
 
#60 ·
I didn't read through all of the responses, but here is what I have to say.
People send their horses to trainers for lots of different reasons. Everybody has different lifestyles, riding/training abilities and what is right for one will not necessarily work for another.
I don't think there is anything wrong with sending a horse to a trainer, I have worked with lots of trainers over the years and had lots of work done on my horses as I learned and progressed in my training. I start and train my own horses for the most part now but I would not hesitate to call a trainer if I ran into a problem that I could not solve.
Saying that horses are like your children and you would not send them off to bond with somebody else doesn't really make sense to me. When/if you have children will you not send them to school to learn and grow with a teacher. Just because your child goes to school does that mean they don't love/trust/bond with you as much?
 
#64 ·
Just want to say that I don't consider the OP condescending at all. I took this to simply be a lively discussion on a great topic. But, some faceless person on the other side of my screen has very little clout when it comes to offending me, lol. Very sensitive bunch! Good horse people usually are!
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#66 ·
I think some people are just looking for a fight. I've posted on enough forums asking questions just to learn different opinions and methods, and there will always be people who want to crucify one person or another, I just weed through it and find the information I'm looking for and ignore the hate. I didn't mean to sound condescending at all, that was the least of my intentions, I guess I came off a little strong when I was explaining my side of the argument because I just wanted people to understand.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#65 ·
I sent my horse away for two months to be trained. We had already developed out relationship, I had done all the ground work on him, and my cousin started him under saddle. I went to visit a few times on weekends while he was away, and he was the same horse when he came home as I had sent away- only smarter. He learned more than I could have taught him, and my cousin did not have time to put that kind of work on him.

I am now working with my coach to learn on him. I'm learning to trust him under saddle the way I do on the ground, and we are learning what works for each other. I wouldn't hesitate to have someone start another horse for me. When out next horse is ready to break its just will be a matter of what I am comfortable with in a couple years, and if I think I'm ready to fully train a green horse under saddle.
 
#68 ·
I have clients that do both. I have clients that want to watch every session, and that's cool with me. Right now I have a client that found me online and specifically wants ME to train her horses. She lives over an hour from me, so she sent them to me.

So that's my #3. The owner wants a specific trainer and that trainer is too far away to visit every day.
 
#69 ·
I had a QH that I sent to a trainer. She had a nasty bucking issue that she came with when I bought her and the trainer I was working with said "I CAN fix this but I don't WANT to". So she helped me find a good trainer who was more than happy to work with her.

Could I have found a trainer that could have worked me and her through it? Sure... but I would most likely have been on a first name basis at the ER within a week (she'd already broken my wrist) whereas the trainer I sent her to said at one point she had him "looking for a nice soft spot to land" but he never actually came off because riding out a bucking horse is what HE is good at!

Other than her bucking issues, she was a calm, quiet deadhead of a horse. I didn't need to learn anything new to ride her properly... I just needed her to quit acting like a rodeo bronc every time I asked for a canter! Trainer had a big ol' list of things and laughed because I was like nope, nope, nope, nope, doesn't do that , or that, ties just fine, perfect ground manners, no aggression with food, not spooky, blankets fine, clips fine, loves the Vet and Farrier.... she just freakin BUCKS!
 
#71 ·
Hmm. Interesting assumptions OP.

No, in no way does someone sending a horse off to a trainer indicate that they aren't skilled in horses or advanced riders nor does it indicate that they are unwilling to take the time! Right now, I train horses. I train both outside horses and go to sales looking for nice project horses. In 25 years I can say to you with 100% certainty that I am without a doubt not going to be breaking in youngsters, training problem children and other wise dealing with the more dangerous end of things. I WILL hand my young horses (that is, if I haven't switched over to driving Miniature Horses in my older age... :lol:) to someone who is less likely to break in half. I WILL gladly pay someone at that point in my life. That will not make me less experienced than I am right now. In fact, I'll be more experienced than the person that I pay to ride my youngster :lol:

Likewise I may be able to train many horses to trail ride safely & I may be blessed with the gift of salving "problem horses" but I am not in the least bit qualified to train you an eventing horse. No. If I decided to start jumping with one of my horses I would send him/her to a trainer and then go with my horse to a trainer to learn together. That doesn't make me un-willing to take the time, that makes me honest regarding my skill level and my ability to train a horse for an event that I have never competed in. On the other hand, many finishing trainers do not want to be bothered with the risk that starting a horse may present. That does not make them any more or less experienced. Everyone is different and everyone has the ability to train different things.
 
#72 ·
I had trainers train my horses, because they could do it right and I could not. I have no sympathy for those who insist on training horses themselves when they don't know enough to do so. That is an awesome way to ruin a horse!

I also have had it up to the eyebrows with the idea I need to 'bond' with my horse. Wanna bond? Buy a dog!

I have an Arabian mare who exemplifies most of the stereotypes of an Arabian mare. And between bad weather, illness, deciding to go back to school, etc, I've only been on her back 2 times in the last 3 months. When I walked into the corral yesterday with a halter on my shoulder, she made a beeline across the corral, stuck her face in the halter and made it clear she was ready to go. Surprisingly, she was at about 98% of where she was on 15 Dec. She got very excited about cantering, but when I asked for a stop from a canter, I nearly ended up on her neck...probably the fastest stop I've seen her make. Feet squared up, too.

After the ride, I started talking to her as is my custom, and she twisted her head around so her ear was a few inches from my mouth. So I talked softly into her ear for a couple minutes, then she straightened out and made it clear social time was over. And yes, she looked around to see if anyone had seen her momentary weakness...

We arguably have a pretty good 'bond'. But whatever we've got has come from 4 years of riding, and it will NOT prevent her from spooking, doing The OMG Crouch, or trying to race down a wash in panic. She is what she is, and she isn't a dog. She doesn't want pets. She doesn't want hugs and kisses. Once in a while, she'll ask for a butt rub - actually, the area on either side of the spine just behind the hip.

In 4+ years of riding, I've never had any doubt that she is an opinionated gal, and is her own being. I guess I'm used to the idea that I will never ride her calmly down the trail with her content to just amble along. She is what she is, and what she is is NOT my dogs, my kids or my wife. If I want adoration, my dogs will give it. Conversation? My wife will give that, minus any trace of adoration! Best friend? That would be my wife, again.

Bonding involves time and miles. Wanna know if you're going to bond with your horse? Ride her for 2-3 years, and find out.

A trainer doesn't steal your horse's soul. No trainer can or will prevent you from bonding with a horse. If anything, a good trainer will give your horse the tools to understand humans well enough for some bond to form - but real bonds form with lots of miles, or maybe never at all. Lots of horses will never be snuggy-bear. Nor should they. To expect otherwise is to disrespect what a horse really is. People need to learn to appreciate horses for what they are, and not for what they were never meant to be.

I'm a huge fan of professional trainers. I cannot imagine worrying that the horse is going to bond with the trainer and never love me. In her own way, Mia is a very sweet girl...but she's my horse, not the love of my life!

 
#73 ·
Wow. I can't believe you just made that flat judgement to people you don't know, Laffeetaffee. That was rather unkind and thoughtless. I sent my horse to a trainer for a month, to be sure I didn't miss anything when I trained him. After all, I'm not a "trainer". And then I have him at another trainer now, as I know how to drive, but don't know how to train a driving horse. Big difference. I want a safe horse that I can drive down the road with family and friends. I wouldn't want to be responsible for creating a wreck because I just went and tried to train a cart horse when I haven't a clue how to start. I'd be foolish and dangerous to try training him myself. It doesn't mean that I don't care about him. That's why I get references, drop in unexpectedly at the trainers and watch the trainer work, before bringing my horse to him.
I think you might step back on your opinion of people who take their horses to trainers. Who trained your horse? How many horses have you trained? How many times have you been hurt by a horse you trained, or how many of the horses you trained hurt others? Glad you're not my neighbor. What else do you judge people harshly on? Yikes.
 
#74 ·
Oh, and Teddy will come at a canter to me from the pasture when I call; leave his hay (though not any grain) to come see me and I know I can trust him to trust me. I don't own his soul, just his heart. And he has mine. He doesn't own my soul, the Good Lord does. Teddy respects the trainer, and appreciates the trainer's fair, thoughtful approach. I am still floored from your first post. I feel sorry if those are your real feelings.
 
#75 ·
It "rips you up"? "Someone else's soul"? Really, is there not something more important to be so dramatically worried about?

I recently promoted a senate bill that would stop the gassing of our shelter animals. I have seen video of it and I still hear their whines and howls and cries, I still hear them struggling, trying desperarely to scratch their way out of the gas chamber. For minutes this goes on until they die. It is practiced in 39 states. Currently. Every day.

That rips *me*up.

If someone wants their horse to progress to a level of training that they are unable to teach them as clearly and quickly as a trainer, why on earth do you care?

If anyone else is "ripped up" over the issue I mentioned, the proposal is called "Daniel's law" and would outlaw inhumane euthanasia in all 50 states.

I know I went OT. I think this thread is so silly I wanted there to be an issue that really affects animals to be mentioned. It helps *my* soul to share it.
 
#76 ·
We purchased a kid friendly mare who was broke to ride and had mostly done trail rides, play days, and parades. Her owner had lost interest in riding, so we were the lucky people given first option to buy her.

We agreed to a 9-month lease to see if this mare and my 9 year old daughter would "click". Acey is not easy to ride. She doesn't buck, bite or kick, but she does expect her rider to give her clear signals she understands. It became apparent that while my daughter loved this horse and this horse was fond of my daughter... The horse needed more training to become the all-round horse my daughter needs. So we purchased the horse (with our coach's blessing) and set about training both horse and rider.

Our riding coach also trains horses. So, we sent Acey to her barn for a week to work on showmanship and halter (a class rhey were having trouble with). During that week, we visited, but did not work with her ourselves. At the end of the week, we brought her home and our trainer showed us what to do.

Since then, our trainer comes out and rides our horse regularly when we are not there. She wants to fine tune Acey's buttons and teach Acey what is expected of her before she shows my daughter what to do.

It is pure foolishness to expect a green rider (and her Mom) to know how to train a horse. No matter how much reading I do, how many videos I watch, we could really screw up and create a bigger problem. So, we work with a trainer who teaches the horse and then teaches us.

We show, not to win (although its nice when we do), but to allow my daughter and Acey to test their training. If they have a ride where they show improvement from their last show, even if they place dead last, we are thrilled. I consider it periodic testing to help them improve (and give Kitten goals to achieve in her riding).

I don't take lessons myself, but during my daughter's lessons, her coach expects me to pay attention so I can help my daughter when we are practicing on non lesson days. We have homework every week and we are very diligent in doing our "horsework".

This is what works for us. I feel no shame in not being able to train a horse. It has not harmed the bond between my daughter and Acey, if anything, it has strengthened their communication because they now both speak the same language.

I do think its the sign of a good trainer if they insist the rider take lessons once the horse is trained...otherwise how will you know the "buttons"? I would have never guessed that putting your feet slightly forward, pressing in and rolling up your heels would signal the horse to drop her head. It may not be the signal for other horses, but that's how our trainer trains her horses.

People should do their research, investigate, and then find what works for their life style and specific needs. There is no one "right" way to train a horse.
Posted via Mobile Device
 
#77 ·
Ummm, I can think of reasons to send a horse to a trainer! Flat out, even if I had the skill to do it, (I DON'T, and I'll say it!!!), I'm too damn heavy to be saddle training a shetland pony xD

I'd love to send her off to a nice, tiny boned, skinny, UNDERSTANDING trainer and get her set to ride! And I see NOT ONE SINGLE OUNCE of shame in that!
 
#78 ·
Sometimes, believe it or not, LOVING your horse is realizing that they are better off with someone besides you training them, so that you don't ruin your already-existing bond with me. Sometimes loving your horse is knowing when to say 'I dont know' and letting someone else step in to help you. I should know.
 
#86 · (Edited)
:oops::oops: already-existing bond with them not me. LOL. I really don't care if you have a bond with me or not! xD


For the record though, I DIDN'T send my horse to a trainer when I should have, dispite being inexperienced, and I nearly ruined her. She has a VERY complex personality type that has made her difficult to work with for even experienced trainers, and me trying to train her myself was simply foolish.

But that doesn't mean I don't know her 'quirks' and her 'personality'. Its actually BECAUSE I know her personality and the way she works that I realize that my limited knowledge does not suffice to train her in a safe and nurturing way. For that reason, I let a trainer work 1 on 1 with her for about a month, then I started taking lessons WITH her, after the 'dangerous' part had been done. I assure you I still have a much stronger bond with my horse than my trainer does, and I always will. She's a one person type of horse, and the one month of a trainer is nothing in comparison to the almost five years I've had with her
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top