Kind of worried...

I was starting to have some issues with my horse on the ground, so I sent him to a trainer that was recommended to me by 2 people, as I don't have the experience or time to 'fix' what was going on. And while he was there, I wanted him to go ahead and get finished under saddle, because he's green.

Anywho, he's been at the trainer since the 15 of Feb, and while he has definitely made progress, the trainer told me that he's not progressing as fast as he would like him to. The trainer IS teaching him a whole new method, and my horse didn't have the greatest breaking experience..Lots of holes in his training...But I'm still kinda worried :P

Some horses just take longer to train, right? I need some reassurance.. I don't know why I'm freaking out over this!

The horse has been at the trainer's for 3 weeks? As we don't know what 'issues' you're wanting worked on, and when you talk about 'holes in training', let alone 'finishing', it could be a very short time to expect much at all. What do you mean by finishing, for eg. Because my idea of a 'finished' horse takes months or even years, not weeks.

We have a mare.. and let me tell you-- she isn't the brightest crayon in the box.. we can't all have extremely smart horses unfortunately.. they learn at their own speed-- one of our mares took literally 3 weeks to teach to neck rein, and she still "forgets how" sometimes, lol-- when I tought our other horse, he picked it up the first few times I showed him-- I've had horses pick it up in a few days, few hours, few weeks, etcetera.. it all depends on the horse, and its ability to comprehend the task at hand.. :)

3 weeks is nothing, don't worry.

Well you have to remember before big progress can be made the trust and start of an understanding for each other ( respect for each other)

So in three weeks time this is just starting to happen most likely.
Every horse is different and those who have had harder breaking experiences leaving them with holes in the training there for creating problems fo you the owner and rider seem to maybe be more sensitive is what I have found in my experience.

Good for you though for knowing you needed higher help and acted on it.

I wouldnt be worried unless your seeing something you don't agree with.

Can you sit down with this trainer and come up with some end goals and time frame? Are you able to go and still work with him yourself? After the horse has the understanding of the training can you go in wight strainer and work with both of them? That is what I have done in the past.

Hope this helps!
Good luck and patience will always be your friend when it comes to green young horses :)

Which to a huge extent depends on the trainer & their ability to explain the task at hand

You guys are all right.. My trainer just said that he wasn't progressing as fast as he would like him to, but every horse IS different! And yeah, not a whole lot will get done in just 3 weeks. He's going to be at the trainer's for probably something like 4 months. Hopefully we can get a lot done in that time :) Thanks!

I hope you have sat down with your trainer, put a 'game plan' together with time frames & 'outside limits' & have it in writing though. Otherwise the trainer could be just taking you for the ride rather than the horse.

I'd definitely agree with ensuring there's a game plan in place that you're aware of, but remember be flexible.
Is the trainer keeping you in the loop? I'd expect updates even just a quick text. I know I have no issues sending a 30 second text.

Ie Good ride today he's starting to really get the neck reining. Although there was a plastic bag that was going to eat him and he couldn't possibly walk past!

Some horses need more time than others - but I don't think it should take 3 weeks. With everything I have trained my horses - it has only taken a week at the maximum. But like I said - some horses need a little more time than others.

But I would have to add my personal opinion and disagree with your trainer - it shouldn't take four months.