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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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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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