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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | I haven't had to send a horse to a trainer in a very long time. I used to just do it myself. Well now I don't have the time to put a solid 30 days on one nor a facility to do it in any weather. Plus as I'm getting older I realize that I'd rather have someone else do it and deal with any stupidity that may come up. I'm trying to make a list of things that I would like covered in my mare's time with the trainer.
Hx: Has been on the track, been off the track for 4 years been passed around a bunch before me. Can ride off WTC both directions and change speeds up or down as asked and picks up both leads every time. She is very reactive/sensitive. No pain, teeth, shots and shoes are current. Ulcers are under control as she's on a daily feed through.
I am sending her off as if she was a 2 yr old that is getting started on basics, mainly trail riding and desensitizing. To me it seems that the foundation was missed. I am curious as to see if there are some issues that maybe I could address with the trainer that you guys might think of that I can't. Thanks. |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
 
Location: Heart of Texas | I would for sure ask is 30 days equivalent to 30 rides or how often do they ride a horse a month. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | jewishprincess - 2017-03-06 1:49 PM
I would for sure ask is 30 days equivalent to 30 rides or how often do they ride a horse a month.
Thanks, as simple as that is I never thought about asking that. Thank you. |
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Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: Pittsburg, Texas 75686 | 30 days would never be enough for me but then I want them solid broke by a great trainer. I want a foundation that stays. Much more enjoyable ride. |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | When my youngsters get dropped off at the colt starter he knows they do not come home until they are broke. That is typically 90-120 days.
Biggest thing I can think of is visit their facility and make sure you are comfortab le with what you see. I've used the same guy for years and I know that the product I get back will be better than the raw material I dropped off. That knowledge and assurance is invaluable.
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | 1DSoon - 2017-03-06 3:44 PM When my youngsters get dropped off at the colt starter he knows they do not come home until they are broke. That is typically 90-120 days.
Biggest thing I can think of is visit their facility and make sure you are comfortab le with what you see. I've used the same guy for years and I know that the product I get back will be better than the raw material I dropped off. That knowledge and assurance is invaluable.
Agreed. 
You can ask all the questions in the world but unless you visit, you'll never truly know.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-03-06 5:02 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | IRunOnFaith - 2017-03-06 5:01 PM
1DSoon - 2017-03-06 3:44 PM When my youngsters get dropped off at the colt starter he knows they do not come home until they are broke. That is typically 90-120 days.
Biggest thing I can think of is visit their facility and make sure you are comfortab le with what you see. I've used the same guy for years and I know that the product I get back will be better than the raw material I dropped off. That knowledge and assurance is invaluable.
Agreed. You can ask all the questions in the world but unless you visit, you'll never truly know.
Done did that, love the place. Really get along with the lady. I have seen horses that she has worked on. And also messaged a person I know has a horse that she started 2 years ago. Wanted to know how much of it "stuck" and the lady was more than happy to tell me about that particular horse. Said that he has retained the majority of what he learned it seems. I know that horses are individuals and are each different. If I could send my horse off for 90-120 days I'd do it in a heart beat. But 30 days is the best compromise at this point for me and my personal situation. Thanks for all the advice :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | You could always ask to go and sit in on a ride that shes putting on another horse and see if you actually agree with the way she trains. Some ppl dont always agree on how things should be done, and that was one of the problems i had untill i found my current trainer. I just dropped another one off sunday for 60 days. luckily ive used her before so i know what to expect but, this one is my baby so im still thinking of him daily even though i know hes in great hands. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2674
Location: Silver Lake, MN | The trainer I work with is great, she updates me often on how things are going. I go and ride 1x a week and it gives her a chance to see how I work with my horse and what things she may need to work on to will allow us to get along best. She will cater each program to the horse. My gelding is very reactive and sensitive and she does a lot of desensitizing with him that she may not need to do with someone elses horse. They get ridden 5 days a week and length of ride depends on how the horse is working. She rides both inside and outside because she knows when I take him home I ride alone outside 95% of the time so he needs to be safe. Mine is there right now for a 60 day spring tune up and hoping he is going to be ready to haul this spring. He has had about 6 months total with her from last year until now. |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | I think visiting the facility and walking through the place is the #1 place to start. - Does it look safe?
- What kind of conditions are the horses kept in?
- What kind of condition are the horses themselves in?
- What are they gonna eat? Look at the hay, at least
- What sort of options are there for riding? Arena only? Road ditches? A open country ranch?
- What type of "work" to you expect to be done on or with your horse? Make sure the trainer is clear on what their focus should be.
Sounds like you've done that, so next, I'd: - Ask for as many references as possible and CALL them. Word of mouth is the best advertisement.
- What are you getting for your money? How many rides, what feed?
- Who will be doing the farrier and vet work while your horse is there? You'll pay for it, so make sure you are OK with those professionals.
- How does the trainer/facility handle emergencies?
- How do you expect them to handle a serious situation when you're unavailable?
- Do you have insurance? Will you need to notify them that the horse isn't in your care?
- (I've never done that, but it seems like a fair question)
- Bottom line? If you're afraid to ask ANY question, it might be a red flag.
I know you're no rookie, but this day and age, its a good idea to at least feel like your a$ $ is covered. And speaking of this day and age... it should be very easy to get weekly updates- photos or videos. I would talk about any expectations you have, because it's not entirely fair to be PO'd when no one knew of your requirements.
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I am your favorite rash and you know it
Location: Being pushed over the edge, NM | Some good advice here. One thing I always try to mention, and I know you're only looking at 30 days, I like to ask how easy riding behind someone is. The time they put on your horse, is it enough that you can go on yourself. And in this day and age, videos are a necessity. Ask yourself if that's how you want your horse to ride, and if that person looks like they know what they're doing.
Definetely go with someone that has a good reputation and *actual* horses they've put out, not just internet groupies that gush. There is a local girl here who has put herself out as a barrel trainer, she is barely a gymkhana level rider, can hardly ride a finished horse, a bunch of us just cringe seeing the issues she's training into horses that someone else is going to have to fix. Don't use a FB page as a reference. It will take 5 times as long to fix  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Lost in the corn of Iowa. | Thank you for all the great advice. It is much appreciated. I do want to add that this horse is not a young horse. She is a 9 yr old rehab project. She was pushed too fast and too hard in the barrel pen before I got her. I have contacted references on this lady, and I heard of her from word of mouth. She has a lot of anxiety when there is pressure added i.e. shows and arena situations. I can ride her at home or haul to an arena during a normal off day and she is fine and rides off fine and listens and is respectful of the things I ask of her. It's just when it's a show environment she has a lot of anxiety, I feel a basic foundation is what's lacking and I do realize it's a first step. And I will finish rehabbing her with a lot of time and patience. Also, this person I've chosen has agreed to give me an unbiased opinion on whether she will work or she's too far gone. I just thought maybe clearing up that this isn't a 2 or 3 yr old might help. Thanks for all the great advice. |
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