I know I don't have experience with sending horses to trainers since I don't have one yet, but I read a lot of posts about people sending their horses to trainers. So here's my question: I might just be a control freak, but I would like to be there WITH my horse and work WITH it. For one so I can see what they do and learn, but also to check on my horse. What are your thoughts on it and what are you reasons for you stand?
Kiara
- Status
Send your horse to a trainer...with you?
We have some friends who train horses for a living. They always prefer the owner to be there as much as possible. If the owner wants to be part of the training all the better. I think its great when a trainer wants the owner to be there. I would actually be a little leary of one that didn't want you there.
My horse is in training now for a month, a refresher of sorts. I am lucky enough to have my trainer at the barn I board at AND she is a good friend. I call her to let her know when I am coming out and she saves his training for the hours I am there. I watch, ask questions, and get involved with bits and pieces. I think it is a great learning experience for me....and I know exactly what she is doing to get correct responses from him and I sometimes learn things that don't work as well.
My trainer encourages her clients to visit as much as possible and offers free lessons along with her training. I agree that any trainer who would not allow or want you to visit your horse is sketchy. It is your DUTY as an owner to look out for your horse's welfare!
My trainer encourages her clients to visit as much as possible and offers free lessons along with her training. I agree that any trainer who would not allow or want you to visit your horse is sketchy. It is your DUTY as an owner to look out for your horse's welfare!
Our riding teacher is a horse trainer. He usually keeps the horse for a month or two and gives the owners lessons too so that they know how to keep up the training.
Horses are huge creatures and they can kill you, even without trying. Unless you have a lot of experience training horses or have a bomb proof horse I think it's important to have your horse well trained. Of course, it's important for you to become well trained.
Horses are huge creatures and they can kill you, even without trying. Unless you have a lot of experience training horses or have a bomb proof horse I think it's important to have your horse well trained. Of course, it's important for you to become well trained.
Yeah. I agree with everyone that you should be there as much as you can. Both as you said to keep an eye on him and to see whats going on. I have a friend who is a horse trainer and he said that he would rather have the owner there because he can teach the owner along with the horse. It's no use for him to train a horse all these fancy things and then have him sent home with the owner who has no idea what they're doing (not saying you don't..just thats the "jist" of it). Because many people have different ways of doing things and different ways of telling the horse to do something. Signals can get crossed and someone can get hurt.
I think visitation should always be allowed...however I don't always recommend the owner riding the horse at the same time. If the horse is novice and the owner is novice they will just frustrate each other. Let the horse go get trained...watch all they want/ask all the questions they want...no riding...when the horse understands the concepts then put the owner up there.
The only time I leave my horse "alone" with my trainer is when I'm on vacation. I generally send him over there to get a refresher so he's not lazy while I'm away. I figure I'd have to pay board anyway. But I've known and worked for my trainer...so it's not like I don't know what she is doing.
The only time I leave my horse "alone" with my trainer is when I'm on vacation. I generally send him over there to get a refresher so he's not lazy while I'm away. I figure I'd have to pay board anyway. But I've known and worked for my trainer...so it's not like I don't know what she is doing.
i'm all for visitation with horses in training.
the only problem i've seen with visitors that don't know any better is if their angel horse "Johnny" goes out and has a bad day, and the trainer has to correct and ride through it, "Johnny's" mom throws a fit and can't understand why her little angel had it a little rough during the ride.
however, if you as a horse owner can understand that your horse will have bad days, and you can understand why things are done the way they are, well - there's no problem with you visiting on occasion ;-)
the only problem i've seen with visitors that don't know any better is if their angel horse "Johnny" goes out and has a bad day, and the trainer has to correct and ride through it, "Johnny's" mom throws a fit and can't understand why her little angel had it a little rough during the ride.
however, if you as a horse owner can understand that your horse will have bad days, and you can understand why things are done the way they are, well - there's no problem with you visiting on occasion ;-)
Another thing I wanted to add here is to do research before choosing a trainer. If the trainer is known to do things that you disagree with and would not want your horse to go through then try and find that out before hand. Therefore you can help to eliminate the possibility of your horse getting abused and have your mind more at ease.
I've also been told that you should be able to pop in any time you want for a surprise visit. That helps to tell you that the trainer isn't trying to hide something.
I've also been told that you should be able to pop in any time you want for a surprise visit. That helps to tell you that the trainer isn't trying to hide something.
I agree that visitation should be allowed. I also agree that you should make sure you do the research before choosing a trainer. I recently found a trainer who does what I want to do with my horse and who handles horses the way that I like to handle mine. I am allowed to visit my horse and will be taking lessons with the trainer on my horse but also on his horses so that he can work with me as well. I am really looking forward to it! I can post more about this once the training begins... good luck!
Agree with everyone.But since we are speaking of it: How did you all find your trainer? Referrals from fellow horsepeople? Internet search and then in person investigation? Riding Clubs?
Heard about her through a friend. I went to talk with her about taking lessons, and we spent quite some time talking about my goals. I was pleased with my lessons. She helped me find my horse....and in the process we have become friends. BUT I think the big thing that had me put my gelding into training with her is the time I spent watching her work other horses.
It is a great idea to visit potential trainers and watch them at work once you get several referrals!
It is a great idea to visit potential trainers and watch them at work once you get several referrals!
Since I'm show-oriented, I have picked my trainers by looking at their horses in the ring...how happy and alert they are is just as important as how they perform 
I agree that one of the best ways to find your trainer is to look at their horses. I like to see not only how the horse shows but how the horse responds to the trainer (whether the horse seems calm and pleasant or almost nervous). I also picked my trainer based on recommendations from people who have used him.
I have to agree, I would be leary of anyone who did not want people to see what they were doing. As a trainer, we actually feel better when the owner is more involved. As stated before, depending on the horse, the owner may not be able to immediatly ride as the training is going on, but they can at least be observing and learning what the horse is being taught. We always give lessons for the owners, so they will know the cues the horse has been taught to respond to, and know how to use them.
As far as finding one, word of mouth has generated a lot of our business. Which I will take as a good thing. It seems to be in this area there a few barns around, and most people will drive to the barns and ask the borders if they know anyone who trains, or have recommendations. So I guess that could be one way.
As far as finding one, word of mouth has generated a lot of our business. Which I will take as a good thing. It seems to be in this area there a few barns around, and most people will drive to the barns and ask the borders if they know anyone who trains, or have recommendations. So I guess that could be one way.
First of all I make sure the trainer works after my moral :P
Then I'll visit often to check up.
And, before I take my horse home, I'd like to stay a few days wth the trainer, getting help and lessons.
Then I'll visit often to check up.
And, before I take my horse home, I'd like to stay a few days wth the trainer, getting help and lessons.
For me:
Reputation in the industry is critical. Must be respected and a "trainer's trainer" (one that top trainers all call on for help).
Must welcome visits (but we must also respect their schedules) and happily answer all questions.
Must ask YOU questions about what your goals and experience are (they must seek to know you so they can ensure they're working toward your goals).
They must be successful at producing a successfully competitive horse that is happy doing it's job in the ring (go watch the trainer show a horse and watch the owner show their horse that this trainer trained).
Must backup their work/horses. My trainer is ALWAYS willing to buy back any horse he sells you, whether it's one week later or two years later. He never brokers any horse he doesn't know is 100% solid and that 'forever' buy-back promise (and years of following through) is priceless to me.
He's got to 'click' with me so that when my vehicle pulls up, he's genuinely happy to see me and that, for him, I'm not THAT client that he's dreading to see.
That's my check list!
Reputation in the industry is critical. Must be respected and a "trainer's trainer" (one that top trainers all call on for help).
Must welcome visits (but we must also respect their schedules) and happily answer all questions.
Must ask YOU questions about what your goals and experience are (they must seek to know you so they can ensure they're working toward your goals).
They must be successful at producing a successfully competitive horse that is happy doing it's job in the ring (go watch the trainer show a horse and watch the owner show their horse that this trainer trained).
Must backup their work/horses. My trainer is ALWAYS willing to buy back any horse he sells you, whether it's one week later or two years later. He never brokers any horse he doesn't know is 100% solid and that 'forever' buy-back promise (and years of following through) is priceless to me.
He's got to 'click' with me so that when my vehicle pulls up, he's genuinely happy to see me and that, for him, I'm not THAT client that he's dreading to see.
That's my check list!
i take lessons on my horse while he is at my trainers... but she's only 45 minutes away so i can see him anytime I want...
when my horse was in training i went and stayed there every weekend. Then during the summer i went and stayed for a couple of weeks at a time! I loved it but it got pretty expensive. I was driving alot. Then renting hotel rooms..including renting for weeks at a time. So if you can afford to do it...i would recomend it! it was great...on weekends we went to shows usually too..
Well, as a trainer for a living... this is my take.
First off, if you want to be active in the training process, that's awesome. I teach your horse, and teach you how I teach your horse, so you know HOW he's trained when he gets back home.
However, you are sending the horse to ME, to get broke. I'd have no problem with the owner being there so long as every second I don't hear "Oh, don't do that, that's too mean!" or "Oh, you can't do that" or "You shouldn't do that to him" Or...
I'd get VERY annoyed if a client started telling me how or how not to do my job.
However, I could definately see some trainers charging to train the horse, and charging you extra for the lessons on HOW they do it afterwards. The horse industry is mostly based on money, after all.
But, if you're a good horse owner and want to learn the ins and outs, that's a-okay with me.
First off, if you want to be active in the training process, that's awesome. I teach your horse, and teach you how I teach your horse, so you know HOW he's trained when he gets back home.
However, you are sending the horse to ME, to get broke. I'd have no problem with the owner being there so long as every second I don't hear "Oh, don't do that, that's too mean!" or "Oh, you can't do that" or "You shouldn't do that to him" Or...
I'd get VERY annoyed if a client started telling me how or how not to do my job.
However, I could definately see some trainers charging to train the horse, and charging you extra for the lessons on HOW they do it afterwards. The horse industry is mostly based on money, after all.
But, if you're a good horse owner and want to learn the ins and outs, that's a-okay with me.
If the owner is so concerned with the way the trainer trains, they should find a different trainer :P
I ALWAYS encourage people who want me to train their horse to come and watch and join in. Especially when I am starting a new horse to drive, I pretty much make the person who owns the horse come and work with me and the horse the last 2 weeks it is with me so they can learn what I have taught the horse and also that they can go through a training of how to handle situations in a green driving horse. This way I also get to see that they can handle the horse before it ever leaves my property and that I know it does not need some more miles put onto it before it goes to the owner.
I do agree with what was said before as I encourage people to come and watch, then I do not want them trying to tell me how to train their horse, I know what I am doing and have been doing it for years. I have never had a problem with anyone trying to tell me what and how to do things, but I know I would be very annoyed also if someone tried to. I have made a few owners angry that I would not train their horse because it was either to young or I told the owner that the horse needed to spend another 2 weeks to a month with me in before they took it home. I offer my training as a flat rate, not a monthly basis on starting new horses. If the horse is there to be started to drive, then it will stay for as long as it needs to stay for me to feel safe sending it off to its owner. If it stays for 2 months and it originally was suppose to be for a month, I do not charge extra as I do not want people to come back and say I let their horse leave and it was not broke at all.
I do agree with what was said before as I encourage people to come and watch, then I do not want them trying to tell me how to train their horse, I know what I am doing and have been doing it for years. I have never had a problem with anyone trying to tell me what and how to do things, but I know I would be very annoyed also if someone tried to. I have made a few owners angry that I would not train their horse because it was either to young or I told the owner that the horse needed to spend another 2 weeks to a month with me in before they took it home. I offer my training as a flat rate, not a monthly basis on starting new horses. If the horse is there to be started to drive, then it will stay for as long as it needs to stay for me to feel safe sending it off to its owner. If it stays for 2 months and it originally was suppose to be for a month, I do not charge extra as I do not want people to come back and say I let their horse leave and it was not broke at all.
My babies? as 3 year olds I send them to my trainer into full time training until they have a solid w/t/c in both directions. Once they have it I then take them out of full time training and I take lessons with my trainer but at that point I am the only one riding him.
Im sure you can go and ride your horse any time you would like, I mean it is your horse. But it is also very important that you get lessons from the person that is training your horse so you understand what they are doing and you will better understand how they are communicating with your horse so the horse doesnt become confused with two different sets of cues.
- Status
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
