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Member
Posts: 24
| I was recently offered a position with a cutting horse trainer. I'm from Canada, so it's a big move south for me. We don't have a lot of quality trainers kicking around, so I've really been hustling to find a position with a trainer where I can learn and gain experience. The ranch isn't huge, which is actually nice because I'll have the opportunity to ride a lot of different horses and learn more as far as training is concerned, an he says he wants me riding colts and that as soon as I am comfortable.
The thing is, the offer is outstanding. Living accommodations and travel expenses included, and a weekly salary grossing more than I am making at my desk job right now. BUT it's not training/riding barrel horses. It is a 6 month position (to start,) so it's a big commitment.
How valuable is this experience going to be in the long run? Has anyone else found major success training in the cutting pen, then crossing over to the barrel pen? DO I GO OR DO I STAY?!?
Edited by stepstepsnap 2014-11-04 3:26 PM
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  Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
  
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | How old are you? I ask, because, 6 months is not a long committment. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | LRQHS - 2014-11-04 3:18 PM How old are you? I ask, because, 6 months is not a long committment.
I agree with Jennifer, 6 months is not long at all, would it be worth leaving the job you have now ? |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | I would jump all over that! Any experience you can get in any discipline will help with your barrel racing.
A lot of lopers in Texas are barrel racers. |
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Member
Posts: 24
| 22.
The only reason I say that it is a big commitment, is that it isn't going to be a permanent move. My visa only allows me to work for 6 months, so I am having to sell/rehome my horses, get out of my lease, make arrangements for my sister (she lives with me) etc etc. I don't have the luxury of just packing a bag and leaving the farm in someone else's care. There's a lot to do for just 6 months. I definitely understand that 6 months isn't a long term position! :) |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | UTAHCANCHASER - 2014-11-04 3:20 PM I would jump all over that! Any experience you can get in any discipline will help with your barrel racing.
A lot of lopers in Texas are barrel racers.
AND, IT'S ONLY FOR 6 MONTHS!
Now, I would screen this place to make sure it's not some pervert trying to get you to come to America and put you in his basement...... |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Hmmmm, well that's a lot to do for a job that only lasts 6 months......I would probably keep looking. |
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Member
Posts: 24
| I think I'm just really nervous because it's something entirely new to me, it's a huge risk, and I honestly don't know if I'm going to be coming out the other side empty handed or not! Cutting horses just don't exist where I am. I mean, obviously cutters are broke to death, and there's always gonna be parts and pieces that I can take with me to the barrel pen. But I'm just wondering if I should wait until I can get on with someone who does barrel horses? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Sounds like a really big move for someone that has to go threw all the trouble of getting things in order just to be gone for six months. I agree with Jennifer again, check really hard into this cutting horse farm and make sure its what they say. To many things can go wrong really fast.. |
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Member
Posts: 24
| This guy is best friends with a guy I rode with in high school. He went down to Texas to ride and that's kinda how he found me. So that makes him a friend of a friend... But I do still have to be careful. I'm going down to meet him for a couple days then coming home before I make any commitments... |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | There's too many things that can go wrong in my opinion. I would wait for the right opportunity. It would be good experience......but, ultimately, it's not what you want to do and you've got too many hoops to jump through to make it happen....... |
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Member
Posts: 24
| Thank you sooo much. I'm really trying to figure all of this out by myself, and it's so easy to get distracted by the shiny idea of heading south! I just need the opinions of people who are looking at the WHOLE situation... |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | stepstepsnap - 2014-11-04 3:41 PM Thank you sooo much. I'm really trying to figure all of this out by myself, and it's so easy to get distracted by the shiny idea of heading south! I just need the opinions of people who are looking at the WHOLE situation...
Man, I understand the lure of coming South. We are really, really cool lol..... |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Good luck to you in what ever you decide to do  |
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Member
Posts: 24
| LRQHS - 2014-11-04 3:43 PM
stepstepsnap - 2014-11-04 3:41 PM Thank you sooo much. I'm really trying to figure all of this out by myself, and it's so easy to get distracted by the shiny idea of heading south! I just need the opinions of people who are looking at the WHOLE situation...
Man, I understand the lure of coming South. We are really, really cool lol.....
AND ITS WARM. I HATE COLD. AND SNOW. AND ITS ALREADY SNOWING HERE. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | LRQHS - 2014-11-04 3:43 PM stepstepsnap - 2014-11-04 3:41 PM Thank you sooo much. I'm really trying to figure all of this out by myself, and it's so easy to get distracted by the shiny idea of heading south! I just need the opinions of people who are looking at the WHOLE situation... Man, I understand the lure of coming South. We are really, really cool lol.....
We are a cool bunch  |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Southtxponygirl - 2014-11-04 3:43 PM Good luck to you in what ever you decide to do
Yes, that and keep in contact if you come this way so we can help you if you need. |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | stepstepsnap - 2014-11-04 3:43 PM LRQHS - 2014-11-04 3:43 PM stepstepsnap - 2014-11-04 3:41 PM Thank you sooo much. I'm really trying to figure all of this out by myself, and it's so easy to get distracted by the shiny idea of heading south! I just need the opinions of people who are looking at the WHOLE situation... Man, I understand the lure of coming South. We are really, really cool lol..... AND ITS WARM. I HATE COLD. AND SNOW. AND ITS ALREADY SNOWING HERE.
Yes, there's that, but we, also, have mosquitos the size of bats and they could carry you away if you don't weigh very much. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 164
| I worked for a VERY reputable cutting horse trainer and it turned out awful. He was a terrible boss and I didn't last long there. I would rather not work and be broke than deal with him. Luckily I'm doing so much better now in my new career. Anyways, i'd say it is worth going to check out the place, but make sure he understands what you have to go through to work there and that you want to but you don't want it to totally fall apart after 6 months. Ask him if he just means a 6 month probationary period, make sure he doesn't just want some help for 6 months b/c he will be busy with show season. Also check out the area you will be living, and get a feel for the people there, do you like them, do you REALLY like the area? |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | What part of the State is this cutting horse farm located? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| What happens at the end of the 6 months? Are you able to get another visa or do you have to go back to Canada? |
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Member
Posts: 24
| I can apply for an extension while I'm there, and/or apply for my green card. No guarantee that I'll get it, but friends of mine have theirs! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| It all depends on your experience level.
Personally, I would prefer to work with cutting, working cow, before I would go to barrel horses, as you would learn the foundation needed to create a barrel horse.
I also believe working for a cutter will open more doors at the beginning then working for a barrel racer, as in the horse world sadly there is more prestige in cutting then barrels.
As others have said, I would check out the individual thoroughly, I would ask to speak to previous employees and get their opinions.
I am from Canada as well and not sure where you are but there are quite a few cutters around |
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Member
Posts: 24
| Right now I'm bringing up off-the-track horses from Michigan to rebreak and start on the pattern, and selling them as prospects. I want to get somewhere I can get those building blocks. There's nothing I hate more than getting a horse in for training that is having problems on the pattern, and finding the horse isn't broke at all in the face or rib or hips, and there no basics to go back to. Cutting horses are nothing but broke, so I can see it being a huge step in the right direction for me.
There's also more money in it if I go with cutters. The industry is thirsty for quality riders right now, and the good trainers are willing to pay. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I was a loper in college and loved it, have several friends that have been lopers for various trainers, they enjoy it also. It is HARD, under appreciated work, but if you are in a barn that has big name clients and horses you can learn so so so much. It wasn't even that the trainer was taking time to teach me, they are busy, but just my feel for a horse developed tremendously while I was there. You pick up a lot from watching them, from hearing things, etc.
I'm not trying to break into the cutting industry, have no desire to cut, but I absolutely feel like I took a lot away from my time there to use in barrel racing, colt starting, just my feel for a horse in general.
You mentioned a couple of loose ends to tie up at home, but really you don't have anything tying you down. So I'll be the odd ball and encourage you to go for it. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| My daughter was a looper for a hall of fame cutter. She loved it! He had a private clinic with a client and she got to be there fee of charge. It was a thousand dollar freebie because he wanted her to have at least a little idea of what was going on. She was sad she had to give it up to go to chiro school. |
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Member
Posts: 24
| So for those of you who were lopers... how much experience did you have with cutters before you got the job? |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| None. She did have experience gathering cattle in open pastures and dense brush plus barrel racing experience. She had to pass his riding test before she was hired. She was hired to lope them, not work them on cattle, however he put her on an old campaigner several times and let her work the flag. He said he was going to convert her from barrels and if she was rich she said she would have, lol! |
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Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | stepstepsnap - 2014-11-05 6:42 AM
So for those of you who were lopers... how much experience did you have with cutters before you got the job?
I had extremely limited cutting experience, had dabbled in it a little in high school, just to boost my all around points in high school rodeo. |
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 I Drink Whiskey in Boys Shorts
Posts: 1882
| Go, go, go!!!! If I hadn't have been a new mother at your age I would have been all over that opportunity! |
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 No Tune in a Bucket
Posts: 2935
Location: Texas | BamaCanChaser - 2014-11-05 8:59 PM stepstepsnap - 2014-11-05 6:42 AM So for those of you who were lopers... how much experience did you have with cutters before you got the job? I had extremely limited cutting experience, had dabbled in it a little in high school, just to boost my all around points in high school rodeo.
Well, you would be out of luck this year. In Texas (and I am guessing NHSRA), I was told that cutting does not count for the all around anymore. The only cutters that enter are "real cutters" now. lol |
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Member
Posts: 24
| Thank you everyone for all your support and advise! For those of you who were wondering what came of it... I ended up going down to meet with the ranch owners and trainer, for a couple days, BUT this is where it gets interesting...
The airport is 8 1/2 hrs away
My boyfriend and I both took time off work to drive to the airport (so I didn't have to leave my old truck at the airport)
We drove over 6 hours one way, heading to the airport
Got a call from the trainer...
HE HIRED SOMEONE ELSE
So total crash and burn. After weeks of talking and planning, hotels and flights. Once the initial shock wore off, I might have shed a tear. BUT everything happens for a reason and I am confident that this just means that there's a better opportunity out there.
How much does that suck?
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 Expert
Posts: 2154
Location: USA | It does suck because you put so much effort into it. But like you said, this wasn't meant to be and there will be a BETTER opportunity for you down the road. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 503
| stepstepsnap - 2014-11-13 11:47 AM
Thank you everyone for all your support and advise! For those of you who were wondering what came of it... I ended up going down to meet with the ranch owners and trainer, for a couple days, BUT this is where it gets interesting...
The airport is 8 1/2 hrs away
My boyfriend and I both took time off work to drive to the airport (so I didn't have to leave my old truck at the airport)
We drove over 6 hours one way, heading to the airport
Got a call from the trainer...
HE HIRED SOMEONE ELSE
So total crash and burn. After weeks of talking and planning, hotels and flights. Once the initial shock wore off, I might have shed a tear. BUT everything happens for a reason and I am confident that this just means that there's a better opportunity out there.
How much does that suck?
That does suck, but think about what could have gone even more wrong after you made all the arrangements to move? Could have been way worse and you'll never have to endure it, especially since it seems the guy is a little flaky by hiring someone else without talking to you. :) One door closes, another door opens! |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | stepstepsnap - 2014-11-13 11:47 AM Thank you everyone for all your support and advise! For those of you who were wondering what came of it... I ended up going down to meet with the ranch owners and trainer, for a couple days, BUT this is where it gets interesting... The airport is 8 1/2 hrs away My boyfriend and I both took time off work to drive to the airport (so I didn't have to leave my old truck at the airport) We drove over 6 hours one way, heading to the airport Got a call from the trainer... HE HIRED SOMEONE ELSE So total crash and burn. After weeks of talking and planning, hotels and flights. Once the initial shock wore off, I might have shed a tear. BUT everything happens for a reason and I am confident that this just means that there's a better opportunity out there. How much does that suck?
Awww I'm so sorry about this, but is was for a reason, thank goodness you were not already flying when you got the call.
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | I don't have any real advice on your life situation as to move or not.. BUT as far as the training and crossing over to barrel horses goes -- Horsemanship is horsemanship. Getting one soft from the poll to the hind quarters, carrying the bit, supple in the sides, having control of the shoulders/ribs/hips, etc. is ALL the same no matter what discipline the horse goes on to compete in. If you can get experience in this, and become efficient at it, you have won 90% of the battle of training anything!
Oops, guess I should have read to the end before posting..LOL!
Edited by ACEINTHEHOLE 2014-11-13 3:42 PM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Sounds like you dodged a bullet if he let you make travel arrangements only to hire someone else! |
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 A Gopher's Worst Nightmare
Posts: 5094
Location: Southern Oregon | It depends on who you are going to work under? I am from southern OR and there is a well known cutting trainer around here that brings in "lopers" ugggggg one of the big reasons my horses USUALLY dont go to outside trainers. I would never let these people on my horses and he really gives them NO instruction. He tried to talk me into taking the position several times. He pretty much just sends them out in the small arena with a string of colts by them selves. |
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