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Member
Posts: 27
| I have never sent a horse to a trainer before and I am new to the barrel world. Need help on things to look for when finding a trainer possibly for myself as well as my horse. What kind of questions should I ask? And if you have any recommendations that would be great! Thanks |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | You are located near many great trainers. Go to events where you hope to compete and watch. Go to you tube and search for videos posted by trainers who often host clinics. Find someone who shares the same riding style as you. Barrel Futurities of America just held their futurity in OKC. Look at their top placings and finals for great horses and riders to help you locate a great trainer near you. |
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Veteran
Posts: 242
| Kim Thomas Ardmore OK. Had great results with her. On our 3rd horse and planning to send another. Very easy to ride behind. My daughter has been riding behind her since she was 10. She will help you anytime too! Very pleased. Just wish we lived closer to her. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383
| Liana Deweese- IMO she is the best out there- very quiet with the horse- never pushes them- and I have watched for years horses coming from different trainers ( some really big name trainers) and I have seen a lot of horses that have been pushed way to fast and hard - and it is heartbreaking seeing how they end up but I can tell you with confidence you can watch anything Liana has trained they always have confidence and they know their job, and enjoy what they are doing  |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | Gunnar Enlow |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
 
Location: Texas | Pete Oen, Kelsey Deal, Kendal Owen are all very talented and very reputable trainers. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
Hmmm... let me just throw this out there, and let me say, in advance, to those that think it isn't true... you haven't been doing it long enough yet.
Let me be quite honest with you... Be VERY VERY VERY careful... you are fresh meat and I know very few people that would not take advantage of you in this industry. It is sad but true, I have seen it happen over and over again... even to seasoned competitors. My advice... It's kind of like buying that first car... you had better bring along someone that knows the ropes or chances are, you'll learn a very expensive lesson. If you have any amount of money at all... they will be your best friend, too. All the way to the bank that is.
Another thing, I would find a nice seasoned horse to start out on, nothing that still needs training.
Good luck!
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Some Kind Of Fun
Location: Boonies Oklahoma | Jane Melby. Her and Ryan are awesome. They make some outstanding barrel horses. Can't say enough good things about them. |
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | This ^^^!!!! I think Pete Oen is a great hand too, but he's more specifically a futurity horse trainer. In finding a trainer, you need to find someone who is going to be easy to ride behind and who will be willing to help you down the road should you need some help in getting with your horse.
Some questions that you need to ask yourself before seeking out a trainer are what your expectations are for your horse. Are you wanting someone to train something to the point it is finished and then you ride it? Are you wanting someone to get your horse ready to exhibition then you take over? Are you going to have someone train something for you to sell? These are all questions I would ask if you were to ask me to ride for you.
Finding someone who you can trust can be a tricky deal. I train my own and do train a few customer horses in the summer, however I did send my futurity colt to Gunnar Enlow to haul through the winter for the early spring futurities as i'm unable to do it. He also has my 4 YO filly that we are offering for sale. I trust him and know that he is doing right by my horses and that if I have a suggestion as to how they should be ridden he is willing to discuss and try my theory. I trust Gunnar and know that he is honest with me about my horses. I've never sent a horse out in my life other than to get the first 30 days of riding and to the race track prior to this, but with my job I couldn't go like I needed to, so for me to send these colts out to be hauled speaks volumes for Gunnar. He's done exactly what i've asked him to do with my horses and i'm glad I decided to do it.
Edited by Herbie 2015-01-02 9:00 AM
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Most of the trainers mentioned so far are primarily futurity trainers. Look for a trainer with longevity and a proven track record with horses that are still competing.
Liana DeWeese and Susan Clapp have quiet riding styles and put a solid foundation on a horse that you can always go back to if you begin to have issues. They are also super honest ladies that will let you know what your horse is capable of and what they aren't.
Where in Oklahoma are you living? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1028
| I also agree with Liana DeWeese. I've had Michelle Noterman in Purcell start a couple of mine, and she is a great person to work with even after your horse is home. She treats your horse like she does her own and will send you a video every day if you wanted her to. All of mine came back in great shape and had a wonderful handle on them. I do suggest going to check out a trainer's facility beforehand, as well as doing your research online. Google will be your friend. Look at videos, race results, etc. Also, do ask if you can drop by and visit your horse or watch him be rode. I know a lot of trainers are busy, but in my experience if a trainer refuses (or strongly suggests) to not come by, it's fishy to me and my horse won't be there long. Be careful and good luck! There's a lot of great trainers around OK. |
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Location: where ever my horse is | Liana Deweese hands down. Honest and will not waste your time or money. |
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boon
Posts: 3
| There are many trainers out there and some great ones. So many of the pro trainers ride so many horses they probably wouldn't have the time to spend with you because of getting Futurity horses ready. From what you are saying you need I would highly recommend Kim Thomas in Ardmore, Ok. She is so pleasant, very honest, anyone can ride behind her. Any horse Kim trains or fixes will be pretty quiet. Kim has trained all of my horses for years. She takes a lot of pride in helping horse and rider becoming one. You can't go wrong. I would also recommend Janna Beam, Jolene Montgomery, and Mollie Montgomery who are all great trainers and take pride in their work. |
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Member
Posts: 27
| Thank you I do have an older horse that is finished that I'm currently competing on, the horse I have in mind for training is a horse I bought myself for ranch sorting but I no longer am interested in it and would like to see is she has any potential to be a barrel horse if not I'm going to sell her! |
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Member
Posts: 27
| I live in the south tulsa area, the horse I have in mind is an 8yr old ranch horse I bought for ranch sprting but I'd like to see if she has potential to be a barrel horse if not I'm going to sell her |
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Looking for a barrel horse trainer in oklahoma