I have a 2 year old mare (she'll be 3 in April) and she is the first young horse I have owned. I bought her from a really close friend a few months ago that has raised her since birth and broke her. She came to me broke as far as having a saddle and rider, but that's about it. I was the first to put a bit in her mouth and I have just been working her in an o-ring snaffle with a german martingale working on flexing and not fighting a bit. I have only walked and trotted her so I haven't even asked her to kick up to a lope yet. It has been raining SO much since I got her so it's hard to find a dry place to work her. I say all of that to say that she doesn't know leads, doesn't neck rein, doesn't walk/trot in a straight line or a nice circle easily. She is SO EXTREMELY willing to please, but just hasn't been taught much yet.

My question is this... if I send her off to someone for 30 or 60 days, what should I expect her to know when she comes back? Please forgive me if that sounds silly, but I have only really ridden 2 other horses in my 16 years of owning horses/barrel racing and they both came nice and broke ready to put on a pattern and I started the slow work on the pattern myself. I just don't want to have too low or too high of expectations. As soon as my tax return hits I'm planning to talk to a couple of different people in my area that have been recommended to me.

My opinion for what its worth...

A good trainer will have a waiting list, that is a good thing.  You dont want a trainer that nobody else wanted either.  There is a reason they are available, for me, that includes new/young trainers.  They can practice their trade on thier own horses.    

Timeline depends on the horse.  I have one filly that rode like she had 90 days in just 30 days.  I have another that was roping solid in 90 days.  Each with a different trainer. Both trainers are excellent.    On the other hand I have a colt that was ridden for 90 days and rode like he only had 30, and then we went to nevada to be ranched on all winter and is finally starting to settle in.  He will be a nice horse but his timeline is very different than the 2 mares mentioned above.  

In summary, the horse makes all the difference.  Slower is not always me worse.  The trainer can make all the difference as well.  The price difference between the best and the worst is usually incremental.  Get the best you can and you will be ahead in the long run.  

I did that three or four times way back when.  It never ended well.  They were usually thin when I got them back and didn't know anything more than they did when I sent them off.  Don't just send your horse.  Check on them to make sure progress is being made and they're being well fed.

My 5 year old still doesn't neckrein well shes kinda just starting to get it. Shes a mega dork though, wheres my 2 year old was neck rening after 30 days. 

It really depends on the horse, some come along faster than others and some come along increadibly slowly. I wont give my trainer timelines. He keeps me updated and I go get them when I know I can safely carry on at home. 

What you should expect, regular updates and photos, regular riding and work, a great feed program. 

Horses get fit traning they lose fat and gain muscle, they should not get granted up and dull hair. I have known my trainer over 10 years so I'm not as worried as some he feeds better than so do they always come home so full of bloom. I drop off hairy range colts and pick up fancy show horses LOL. 

I'll also add good trainers want you to come and ride with them.  Good one provide opportuinty to check on the horse and thier progress.  

Yes! Mine is always after me to come out. 

Talk to those that have made your list now. Tell them what you expect for the horse to be doing in 30, 60, and 90 days. If they don't believe they can meet your expectations they should call you and inform you why. Some horses are slow and others are fast. But you have to be resonable and they have to be upfront. All horses should go back home slick, in shape and ready to go on with if thier a horse of good repute. 

In my opinion 30 - 60 days is not long enough for a good trainer to put a really good foundation on one. Most of the really good trainers I know have a four-month minimum.  

This^^^^ If I were to send one off again I want at least 90 to 120 days on them befor I picked up my horse and I want to ride with the trainer also to learn what I can, I like lots of communication with who ever I choose, and to beable to go see my horse when ever, the trainers I know and have used always welcome me to come over, but I never over did it.. A good foundation takes some time..

As a professional trainer who specializes in foundations, the best advice I give anyone is SET YOUR HORSE UP FOR SUCCESS! 30 days is usually NOT enough time for YOU as the owner to take home and continue the training. Communicate with your trainer. Go see the progress. Be INVOLVED! It always bugged me when owners drop a horse off and really don't care to know how they are doing or want to come ride with me. That to me is setting myself, the horse, the owner up for failure. Set REALISTIC goals. I guarentee you, a great trainer will NOT tell you they will have your horse loping off from a stand still, spinning a hole in the ground and sliding stops in 30 days. Be realistic, because 99% of trainers are realistic. LEARN as much as you can, because when that horse goes home, you will either continue training it, or you will untrain it. Don't be afraid to ask for videos, pics, etc... I always enjoyed sending updates to owners who maybe lived too far to come weekly. Good luck!

Good points have been made above. 

I do want to add that you should probably expect your horse to change somewhat physically. If a horse goes from being ridden once every two weeks to 5 days a week in a strange/new environment, you will most likely notice a difference. Is it scorching hot outside? Another variable. I am not saying your horse should EVER be poor or look to be in bad health. Absolutley not, just don't be alarmed if fluffy sheds some baby fat and tones up a bit.