How do you switch trainers without burning a bridge? I have a horse in barrel training, the trainer has done a good job (i think); but i have only received one video in 2 1/2 months, one photo, trainer isn't very communicative, and when I do ask for video/pics there is always an excuse, plus the trainer doesn't have a place to really ride over the winter if the weather is nasty, and with her being a juvenile prospect, I dont want her to fall behind. - I want to move my horse to a TOP barrel trainer who has a spot for her. How do I move the horse without burning a bridge? 

I have had a terrible experience switching trainers before. I was unhappy with how my trainer was running my horse, so I told her I was taking the horse and sending him to Pete. She freaked out on me, bullied me to tears. I was afraid she was going to kill my horse (came to find out later all the things horrible she did to my horse)... So I am so afraid to tell my current trainer that I want to send her to someone else.

Anyone have any advice??

It will be hard to get into a top trainer unless already planned ahead of time. 

I would have a chat with said trainer and ask what they plan to do in times a weather that does not allow them to ride and be forth coming with your plans as a juvi prospect. A good trainer will want what is best for that horse/what your goals are. 

I also believe that the owner should lay out their goals to the trainer first so you can work as a team to accomplish this and the trainer should be honest if they have the facilities and means to get them to the goal. 

I guess if me pulling my horse from anyone burns a bridge, then I don't need to cross that bridge anymore.  Bottom line is this... Its your horse, you do what you want with it.  If your asking for a weekly video is to much, I would pull it on that alone, in my experience they probably arent' riding, feeding or caring for your horse properly then.  a weekly video is nothing.  

You tell them you are coming to get your horse, you pull up and load your horse, pay your bill and leave.  and you don't owe anyone any explaination, its YOUR horse. 

If you are unhappy with the trainer, why would it matter if you burn a bridge? I wouldn't send a horse back to that trainer, if you are not happy with them.

It's your horse. Show up with your horse trailer and take your horse home. Pay the rest of the month planned or whatever notice you are required to give, as that's the right thing to do, but then you don't have to worry about things being done to your horse after you give your notice.

You don't need to go into details if you don't want  to and if you don't want to burn bridges. Just be polite, thank trainer for their services, and say you are moving your horse. You don't have to say why.

Just take your horse "home for the winter" and then send it off to someone new.  If they ask why, just tell them the truth, but only after your horse is in your possession, then you don't have to worry about mistreatment. 

Sounds tricky. The current trainer may be hoping yours is the one that takes him to the top. The well known trainer will be VERY happy that someone else has done all the foundation work. 

I did this once.  Pulled a really nice horse from the young trainer that started the horse and had him going really nice.  sent the horse to JD Yates.  I went from being the first trainers top priority to being JD's lowest priority.  The horse did well, but I think the horse would have done even better in the young "hungry" trainers hands.  I regret pulling the horse, I regret the strain on the relationship with the young trainer and I, I dont think I will make that mistake again.  

Not all trainers are going to mesh with all owners, and everybody has their spin on the "how to's" of barrel racing! It's part of the game! But first and foremost, it's your horse!!! Your the one paying for a service-- you should get to be happy and excited about it, not second guessing your decision and dang sure not worried about if the current trainer is upset or angry with you over it!  It's business! And its something that's gonna happen and DOES in THIS business! From a trainers POV, I realize I'm not gonna make everybody happy all the time, and I couldn't even if I tried, but I do try to have a game plan with the owners expectations and wants known and documented from the signing of the training contract! Along w everything the owners need from me during training--videos weekly, twice a month, etc etc etc!!!! But if you haven't been able to keep up w how your horse is progressing--- something ain't right--GO GET YOUR HORSE!!! And GOOD LUCK!!!!

If this horse is a juvenile prospect,she a 2 yo now. even if she doesn't go anywhere during  the winter, especially if she's got a good foundation now, she shouldn't get behind. 
maybe this trainer hauls to an indoor arena when the weather is bad ?

One video per month on a 2 yo would be nice. How often you want updates and videos should've been hammered out before you sent the horse , especially if you've had previous problems with a trainer.

Again, if this is a 2 yo, she's not hauling all over the place,

exhibitioning  twice a week, with the opportunity to video progress. 
Bottom line, if you're unhappy with what you're getting for your money, pick your horse up and move on. 

You're going to burn a bridge, no matter what. 

Sounds to me like you need to talk about expectations with trainers and know... some trainers around here give tons of updates, some provide none. But something you should know before choosing. Not all trainers will fit your needs. If the trainer promised updates and arent providing them then they are holding up their end and thats what you say. I need xyz as a horse owner and I understand that may not be your philosphy etc etc and go... 

I feel like you should have discussed this stuff, for example, how she trains in bad weather. I take in a few horses, mostly for friends and they are fully aware that there could be weather issues and I wont have a place to work them. 

Thank you everyone for your advice. I realize I should have set better expectations, this is only the second horse i have sent to a trainer for training for futurities in the past 20 years. I guess I thought that if i asked for pics of videos of my horse; as long as it wasn't an unreasonable amount, that they would be provided, but the fact I can't even get a picture of my horse, my thought is, are you even riding my horse that you can't snap a pic of her once she is saddled or something? 

I don't see how a picture of a saddled horse means your horse is getting ridden ?

and once again, progress in a 2 yo is so incremental sometimes a video really doesn't show much. 

Be really detailed about what you want with trainers that you're interviewing. Everyone has their own idea of what good communication is . Getting expectations down, upfront, will help avoid frustration for you, your horse and the trainer. 

I've had both great and horrid experiences with trainers. I didn't just burn a bridge once, I nuked it. I'm not sure I'd know what to do with a trainer that was easy to get ahold of? I've spent enough time with some good trainers and can say that they are simply too busy to be making calls or videos on a weekly basis for each horse they have in for training. I've had horses that excelled in less than 60 days (2yo's) and ones that took almost 6 months to look good. Same trainer, same start, just a difference in horse mentality. My futurity mare went to the trainer track broke only in March 2009 and ran .3 off Mulberry Canyon Moon in December 2009. I've had one who couldn't find their way willingly to the first barrel after a year. Same trainer, same training, different horse mentality. 

I've also had trainers starve my horses. I've had trainers not ride my horses. I've had a trainer send one of mine to someone else without letting me know ahead of time. I've had to drive 4 hours one way just to find out if my horse/s were ok because I couldn't get a call back for 3 weeks. I had a trainer colic one of mine (she didn't make it) because he was stuck at home with no transportation during a 2 day ice storm and her water froze. 

I have had the gambit of experiences from both known and lesser known trainers. 

The biggest advice is to have a long 'expectations' conversation in person with the trainer. You can tell the bs from the true talk better that way. ANY TIME you are truly worried about your horse/s you should plan a trip with trailer and just show up. The horse comes first. If it isn't being cared for you need a new trainer. If you are not happy simply because you can't get a phone call answered on a weekly basis then you might need to rethink your expectations. 

You are right! just b/c I get a picture of my horse saddled doesn't mean she is being ridden. She had a fantastic start to her in OK so the current trainer got her very broke, but who knows what they have done on her/how many rides. WIth their arena "under water" and the fact they are always gone and don't have someone at their place excercising horses, I am guessing that she hasn't had much riding on her, and the new trainer she is going to next week will have to spend time just riding her before re-starting her on the pattern. 
I am excited about the new trainer, we had a good conversation yesterday about my expecations, and she talked all about her program and I think they will be a good fit for one another:)

Who did you decide to send the horse to?

Sorry for your bad experiences. 

It is not even on a weekly basis, I haven't gotten a picture or video of my horse since Oct 26th. The trainer only has a couple of horses, so it is not like they dont have time to take a pic or video, I mean, I am paying them to ride my horse, I just dont understand why I cant get a pic of my horse, makes me nervous. It is not like I hound them weekly, I asked for a photo several weeks ago and still no picture of my horse. 

I had a good long call yesterday with the new trainer about expectations, and she thinks it is rude that I haven't gotten a pic of my horse after all this time, and that she would never do that, she will send me updated videos anytime she hauls her, and updated pics if and when I ask.

She is getting picked up early next week and headed to the new trainer, ready for a new chapter!

Sounds like you've made a good decision about placing the horse with someone else.  If they can't reply back to you in a resonable amount of time, yeah I'm going to go get mind and placing them somewhere else too.  

How far away are you from this trainer that has your horse now? Just curious

I was wondering the same thing. . . I would've been setting up a time to go see my horse to give the trainer benefit of the doubt. I feel you are less likely to burn a bridge that way too. If the horse is not where you'd like it, at least you can tell the current trainer you are putting the horse in training with someone whos facility and schedule can accomodate your needs. I feel like that is fair and no trainer should be upset about that. 

Best of luck!

I am about 1000 miles away. I wanted to find a good trainer in OK/TX/AR area, since most of the big futurities take place there. - 

I am about 1000 miles away; so not easy for me to get there to see her. I wanted a trainer in OK/TX/AR area since that is central to where most of the big futuriries are and will be in the coming years; espeically if RB does their events in Guthrie and doesn't split it up to all three sides of the country in coming years. 

in the first post you said the trainer had done a good job. 

But now hasn't done a good job. 

But maybe the new will do a good job. 


Also maybe the new one won't do a good job. 

The world may never know. 

I don't blame you for being uneasy if the trainer is not being communicative and after all this time still hasn't sent a video or a picture. He has your horse in his hands. The least he can do is communicate with you. Though that's no guarantee your horse is being taken care of properly or trained right. I've heard too many horror stories about horses being sent to trainers. Best case scenario, they don't ride them. Worst case scenario, well, Lonely VA Barrel Racer told some. But I wouldn't want anyone to get mad at me either. And I wouldn't want to hurt the trainer's feelings. Maybe he's doing a great job. I'd make an excuse. You're going to have to say SOMETHING. The trainer is going to ask why. I'd say I'm bringing him home for the winter or I can't afford it anymore, something like that. Good luck!

It's your horse. You have every right to go get your horse. I'd call and tell the trainer with winter here I have decided to bring my horse home. No other reason needed and I'd go get my horse! End of story.  Then I'd begin looking for a great trainer near me, check references and take the horse in late Feb. or early Mar. 

She is heading to Sharin Hall.

Ok. I'm going to say it. If you can afford to send a futurity prospect 1k miles to a trainer for months of training, you can probably afford to burn a bridge. 

Remember you own the horse.  Go pick it up and offer to pay at least 2 weeks more training to give them time to fill that spot. You don't need an excuse but honesty is the best policy.  Simply tell them you have found a better "fit" for you and your horse.