How to do you feel about these trainer conditions

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How to do you feel about these trainer conditions Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-02-08 6:52 AM 47 replies, 9341 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


Red Raider Reg. Jul 2010	Posted 2014-02-07 12:32 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Toastest with the Mostest Posts: 5712 Location: That part of Texas	I would prefer to pay on a per ride and boarding fee than a flat fee. My thoughts pretty much mirror everybody else's on not wanting to pay for the days when they are not getting rode or the trainer is out of town. I think it also probably works better for the trainers too in that they can better show what work was done for the money they are earning. I also sometimes like sending my own feed and hay with a horse and having a way to negotiate a possibly lower boarding fee would work better with the itemized price list than just a flat fee. I've found that in this economy, it's sometimes easier to get people to pay or afford your services when it's more itemized than a flat fee. I've moved from taking family law cases on a flat-fee to an hourly rate. Once the retainer is used up, my clients can either send more money to finish the case out or I'm withdrawing off of the case. I've taken on so many flat-fee cases that have ended up in me not making a profit because I either spent more time working on them than I thought or just fluke things happen to make them the case go on longer than expected. I end up eating the costs in the end and it's not good for my business. It sounds like your husband has been in that position too so I hope that itemizing stuff works for you guys too!
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Hollywoods Fan Reg. Dec 2003	Posted 2014-02-07 1:37 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Forever Young Posts: 6768 Location: relocated to Texas	Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 5:28 PM its a steal.. 5 bucks a day to feed, hay, shavings and fly spray and care .. is cheap. Exactly right. I would be losing money to charge $5 a day for care, feeding 1/2 bale a hay a day, plus grain and minerals, shavings, etc. Are you kidding me? And, charging per ride is going to be cheaper for you than paying by the month. $20 a ride is on the low side too as most trainers put 20 rides a month on a horse, not 30. If he charged you for 20 rides that is $400.00. Add to that 30 days at $5 and that is $550 for the month. I would be looking more at the results the trainer gets than just the fees. Honestly, with this billing system, I would question the experience of the trainer because I don't feel a person could make a living charging like this. The experienced ones will charge by the month. Last I paid a guy to start a colt was $800.00/mo. He was worth it.
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Hollywoods Fan Reg. Dec 2003	Posted 2014-02-07 1:40 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Forever Young Posts: 6768 Location: relocated to Texas	Bibliafarm - 2014-02-08 8:45 AM Id charge 10 a day.. for care.. if they have stalls. training is extra.. imho Ditto. A friend left a horse in my care when they went out of town. The horse had an injury that I had to doctor twice a day, and I fed it, cleaned the stall, etc. He paid me $25/day for that and provided some of the hay (I ended up running out before they got back.)
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scwebster Reg. Mar 2013	Posted 2014-02-07 2:08 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Expert Posts: 2128	Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 1:37 PM Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 5:28 PM its a steal.. 5 bucks a day to feed, hay, shavings and fly spray and care .. is cheap. Exactly right. I would be losing money to charge $5 a day for care, feeding 1/2 bale a hay a day, plus grain and minerals, shavings, etc. Are you kidding me? And, charging per ride is going to be cheaper for you than paying by the month. $20 a ride is on the low side too as most trainers put 20 rides a month on a horse, not 30. If he charged you for 20 rides that is $400.00. Add to that 30 days at $5 and that is $550 for the month. I would be looking more at the results the trainer gets than just the fees. Honestly, with this billing system, I would question the experience of the trainer because I don't feel a person could make a living charging like this. The experienced ones will charge by the month. Last I paid a guy to start a colt was $800.00/mo. He was worth it. Right now he charges 600 for 30 rides (he provides feed and hay). No matter how many "days" it takes him ( month and a half average). He has been training for the public over 10 years. Keeps anywhere from 6-12 horses at all times. He has been hesitant to raise prices because he wants to remain affordable to all of his loyal customers. He is realizing though, that he cannot keep doing so and make decent living at it. If it werent for his winnings at the Pro Rodeos and jackpots he couldnt make a living just riding. Sometimes you just have to make business decisions. From the feedback you and others have givin I feel confident most will be understanding.
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Hollywoods Fan Reg. Dec 2003	Posted 2014-02-07 2:13 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Forever Young Posts: 6768 Location: relocated to Texas	scwebster - 2014-02-08 1:08 PM Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 1:37 PM Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 5:28 PM its a steal.. 5 bucks a day to feed, hay, shavings and fly spray and care .. is cheap. Exactly right. I would be losing money to charge $5 a day for care, feeding 1/2 bale a hay a day, plus grain and minerals, shavings, etc. Are you kidding me? And, charging per ride is going to be cheaper for you than paying by the month. $20 a ride is on the low side too as most trainers put 20 rides a month on a horse, not 30. If he charged you for 20 rides that is $400.00. Add to that 30 days at $5 and that is $550 for the month. I would be looking more at the results the trainer gets than just the fees. Honestly, with this billing system, I would question the experience of the trainer because I don't feel a person could make a living charging like this. The experienced ones will charge by the month. Last I paid a guy to start a colt was $800.00/mo. He was worth it. Right now he charges 600 for 30 rides (he provides feed and hay). No matter how many "days" it takes him ( month and a half average). He has been training for the public over 10 years. Keeps anywhere from 6-12 horses at all times. He has been hesitant to raise prices because he wants to remain affordable to all of his loyal customers. He is realizing though, that he cannot keep doing so and make decent living at it. If it werent for his winnings at the Pro Rodeos and jackpots he couldnt make a living just riding. Sometimes you just have to make business decisions. From the feedback you and others have givin I feel confident most will be understanding. So, I take it you are asking the question to justify him raising prices? Tell him to go ahead. He may lose a few clients, but he will gain others. He needs to be competitive for the area he is in. Just curious, but how does he win at the pro rodeos? Is someone else riding his horses there? Edited by Hollywood's Fan 2014-02-07 2:17 PM
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scwebster Reg. Mar 2013	Posted 2014-02-07 2:35 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Expert Posts: 2128	Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 2:13 PM scwebster - 2014-02-08 1:08 PM Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 1:37 PM Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 5:28 PM its a steal.. 5 bucks a day to feed, hay, shavings and fly spray and care .. is cheap. Exactly right. I would be losing money to charge $5 a day for care, feeding 1/2 bale a hay a day, plus grain and minerals, shavings, etc. Are you kidding me? And, charging per ride is going to be cheaper for you than paying by the month. $20 a ride is on the low side too as most trainers put 20 rides a month on a horse, not 30. If he charged you for 20 rides that is $400.00. Add to that 30 days at $5 and that is $550 for the month. I would be looking more at the results the trainer gets than just the fees. Honestly, with this billing system, I would question the experience of the trainer because I don't feel a person could make a living charging like this. The experienced ones will charge by the month. Last I paid a guy to start a colt was $800.00/mo. He was worth it. Right now he charges 600 for 30 rides (he provides feed and hay). No matter how many "days" it takes him ( month and a half average). He has been training for the public over 10 years. Keeps anywhere from 6-12 horses at all times. He has been hesitant to raise prices because he wants to remain affordable to all of his loyal customers. He is realizing though, that he cannot keep doing so and make decent living at it. If it werent for his winnings at the Pro Rodeos and jackpots he couldnt make a living just riding. Sometimes you just have to make business decisions. From the feedback you and others have givin I feel confident most will be understanding. So, I take it you are asking the question to justify him raising prices? Tell him to go ahead. He may lose a few clients, but he will gain others. He needs to be competitive for the area he is in. I wanted to get a feel for what other customers pay, and what other trainers charge. There arent many full time trainers in our area to get information from. This seemed like a good place to get a broad perspective, and has proved very informative! I agree with you :) :)
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scwebster Reg. Mar 2013	Posted 2014-02-07 2:38 PM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Expert Posts: 2128	scwebster - 2014-02-07 2:35 PM Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 2:13 PM scwebster - 2014-02-08 1:08 PM Hollywood's Fan - 2014-02-07 1:37 PM Bibliafarm - 2014-02-07 5:28 PM its a steal.. 5 bucks a day to feed, hay, shavings and fly spray and care .. is cheap. Exactly right. I would be losing money to charge $5 a day for care, feeding 1/2 bale a hay a day, plus grain and minerals, shavings, etc. Are you kidding me? And, charging per ride is going to be cheaper for you than paying by the month. $20 a ride is on the low side too as most trainers put 20 rides a month on a horse, not 30. If he charged you for 20 rides that is $400.00. Add to that 30 days at $5 and that is $550 for the month. I would be looking more at the results the trainer gets than just the fees. Honestly, with this billing system, I would question the experience of the trainer because I don't feel a person could make a living charging like this. The experienced ones will charge by the month. Last I paid a guy to start a colt was $800.00/mo. He was worth it. Right now he charges 600 for 30 rides (he provides feed and hay). No matter how many "days" it takes him ( month and a half average). He has been training for the public over 10 years. Keeps anywhere from 6-12 horses at all times. He has been hesitant to raise prices because he wants to remain affordable to all of his loyal customers. He is realizing though, that he cannot keep doing so and make decent living at it. If it werent for his winnings at the Pro Rodeos and jackpots he couldnt make a living just riding. Sometimes you just have to make business decisions. From the feedback you and others have givin I feel confident most will be understanding. So, I take it you are asking the question to justify him raising prices? Tell him to go ahead. He may lose a few clients, but he will gain others. He needs to be competitive for the area he is in. I wanted to get a feel for what other customers pay, and what other trainers charge. There arent many full time trainers in our area to get information from. This seemed like a good place to get a broad perspective, and has proved very informative! I agree with you :) :) Oh Im sorry! Lol. My husband competes in team roping. He specializes in rope horses, but starts colts, does tune ups, adds handle, takes problem horses ect. He doesnt do barrels unless we are at home and he is trying to show me up while im working my horses lol. Edited by scwebster 2014-02-07 2:41 PM
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kwanatha Reg. Dec 2003	Posted 2014-02-08 6:52 AM Subject: RE: How to do you feel about these trainer conditions
Meanest Teacher!!! Posts: 8555 Location: sunny california	I think there are situations where that price structure would be an acceptable one. If the trainer is in a more depressed area and hay prices are cheap compared to the rest of the country. I know in CA $5 day would not work for a stall with shavings. in an outside pen and hay cheap maybe; still on the low side though. as far as $20 per ride. I think if it were a less expereinced trainer or new to the area this price is ok. but not for the first 30 days as that takes more time. also too cheap for a problem horse. I know I would like this price structure for mine as he is already broke and doesn't need riding everyday. I just want him legged up so ponying him one day and riding him the next works great. also another thing to consider is long rides need to charge more. I had one trainer that I had him put trail miles on mine and told him to count one ride as two or three because my horse developed a time clock on him.
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