|
|
Member
Posts: 28
| 
Yeah I know everyone hates these especially if they are anonymous. But I'd like other peoples thoughts.
January I sent a horse to a trainer who I totally trusted. It was a 3 coming 4 yrs old. Gentle, handled from birth. Ground work done and had 5-10 easy rides. Never gave me a bit of trouble, never bucked or anything was just super easy. Sent it because I wanted it ridden through the winter.
First about 70 days great reports, trainer loves the horse. Then the horse challenged the trainer but the trainer said they got through it.
Then about 85-90day rthe horse starts grinding its teeth. I ask if it could be ulcers or pain. Trainer says maybe so we treat for ulcers and have a chiro out, horse does better for a little while but then was back at it. I ask for video, around 90ish days horse is doing ok, a little behind where the trainer would like but still totally acceptable. So I keep the horse in training, ask for video updates but trainer can’t find someone to hold the camera. Only time I hear from the trainer is when It is time to pay or I ask how my horse is doing. I try not to be that owner who calls several times a week. I know trainers are busy people, I figure if there are issues I’ll hear about it. So, I get told the horse is better but still a brat, having hormone issues etc.
Finally, 5 almost six months later trainer says my horse doesn’t want to be a barrel horse, after I paid for the 6th month of training. I tell the trainer ok and tell them I’ll be picking up my horse. My truck broke down on the way to pick up the horse and the horse was there for about two weeks longer, because I had to hire a hauler.
So I get this horse back home, and go to try it out. Ask the trainer what their routine was and what gear ie. bit the horse likes.
I get back a message saying they never found a bit the horse liked and that they warm the horse up before they ride.
So go work my horse, Still super quiet on the ground like the horse was before but after I get on I go to ask the horse to walk out and nothing, Like sitting on a stone, my horse is very reluctant to move forward totally dead to your leg. So I get the horse moving out and I go to ask it to stop and it drops behind the bit and grinds it teeth and continues to move forward.
Anyway I get it stopped and decided to see what else it knows and I can’t more the hind quarters or forequarters its totally like moving a rock. The horse has gotten worse since the only video I got showing the horse working.
I contact the trainer with my disappointment. They are sorry, I ask for a refund of my training fees because the horse is way worse off now than when I sent it. Trainer says they can’t do that.
I post on my facebook about my experience trainer gets mad. Makes a post of how they tried so hard and the horse was just a pig with no work ethic and was from the beginning. The trainer had mentioned small problems but nothing to this affect. I always asked what the trainer felt the isses stemmed from. I feel the trainer wasn't honest with me. If they had told me they thought the horse was no good and pig etc, I would have pulled my horse much sooner. Now I am almost 6K in the hole with a horse who I now have to retrain.
So My question are,
Was I wrong for wanting some of my training fees back. Especially for the 6th month when I told them at the beginning of the month I was coming to get my horse.
Was I wrong for posting my disappointment in my horse.
Is it unreasonable to expect a horse who was started when sent, to come home 5 months later and walk, trot, lope, stop, back up, yield the hindquarters and forequarters willingly and with a soft feel?
If I’m off base I’d like to know but I’m feeling taken advantage of and used, I feel if I wouldn't have pulled my horse this trainer would have kept on working this horse without making progress and just continued to collect my money.
Edited by So Lost 2017-07-03 6:05 PM
|
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
  
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Yes you were wrong for posting your disappointment with this trainer on Facebook or where ever you did the posting, the problem should have been between the two of you not the public.. You should have been going to check on your horse to see how it was doing.. Take your horse for a vet check and see if they can find out if theres a issue of it being sore are hurt. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| Southtxponygirl - 2017-07-03 11:22 AM Yes you were wrong for posting your disappointment with this trainer on Facebook or where ever you did the posting, the problem should have been between the two of you not the public.. You should have been going to check on your horse to see how it was doing.. Take your horse for a vet check and see if they can find out if theres a issue of it being sore are hurt.
I never posted the trainers name on my post. it was more a post about how disappointed I was with my horse.
This trainer was 1,000 miles away. Generally very good about up dates and videos till now. They had instructions to provide what ever the horse needed and I would pay for it. I trusted this trainer to be my eyes and ears and do what ever this horse needed, take care of it like it was their own.
eta: I did try to take this issue up with the trainer before I posted anything about my horse.
Edited by So Lost 2017-07-03 11:31 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 599
| Were you and the trainer clear about what you expected from the very beginning? Did you tell the trainer what you were hoping to see out of your horse in x number of months?
If you were, then I'd say there is an issue. Maybe the trainer can take your horse back if they tell you what they think the horse is capable of.
If you weren't, then I would say nobody's at fault here.
And yes, I think it was wrong to post disappointment. Even without naming names, people can figure out who you're talking about. If it gets back to the trainer, I doubt they'll be willing to work with you.
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| dRowe - 2017-07-03 11:34 AM Were you and the trainer clear about what you expected from the very beginning? Did you tell the trainer what you were hoping to see out of your horse in x number of months? If you were, then I'd say there is an issue. Maybe the trainer can take your horse back if they tell you what they think the horse is capable of. If you weren't, then I would say nobody's at fault here. And yes, I think it was wrong to post disappointment. Even without naming names, people can figure out who you're talking about. If it gets back to the trainer, I doubt they'll be willing to work with you.
I thought we were clear about what could be expected. I tried to work out the situation with the trainer and figure out what went wrong before I posted anything publicly. I shared my horse was coming home and then went sillent. People have followed this horse since it was born and wanted to know how it turned out and instead of pm'ing everyone. I posted the results after I had tried to reslove my issues with the trainer.
I won't send my horse back, the trainer posted this horse was literally the worst horse they have every handled. If the trainer would have told me this in the beginning I would have pulled it from training much earlier. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I agree. I would have never posted to Facebook about this issue. This makes ANY trainer reluctant to work with you in the future. Regardless of if you named any names it was still wrong.
If your horse was in fact 1,000 miles away then I would have found a way to factor in at least one trip per month to see your horse in action. If the trainer refused the first month for you to come observe then you could have pulled your horse then and there and been done.
If you only received one video in 6 months time then I'm sorry, but this is your fault. If I didn't receive at least one video per week then I would have pulled. Trainers who can't find anyone to hold a camera really don't want you too see your horse that bad. Any person can lean a phone against a post and get a video. Given, it may be a bad video but at least it's a video.
If you did not check in with the trainer at least once a week then you are partially at blame for the horse knowing nothing in 6 months time.
If you do not take action on behalf of your horse while he or she is in training then it is not the trainers fault for your horse knowing nothing and you being out 6 months worth of training, it is yours. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| I wanted to add this isn't the first time I had used this trainer. I had them work an different horse a couple years back with stellar results. I trusted them, their judgement and had no reason to think they would be dishonest.
Apparently trainer aren't held accountable at all these days.
I'm not concerned about using a different trainer and will probably never send another horse out.
Edited by So Lost 2017-07-03 11:51 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | So Lost - 2017-07-03 11:50 AM I wanted to add this isn't the first time I had used this trainer. I had them work an different horse a couple years back with stellar results. I trusted them, their judgement and had no reason to think they would be dishonest.
Apparently trainer aren't held accountable at all these days.
I'm not concerned about using a different trainer and will probably never send another horse out.
Neither are owners.... |
|
| |
|
 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | IMO, when the horse started grinding his teeth, he needed to come home and be turned out for a while.
I think part of the problem, especially when you send one 1,000 miles away, and if it is a "big name trainer", they'll put their minions on customer horses.
It sounds like this horse was pressured too much, and the trainer should've seen the signs and called you. But it's water under the bridge now, you won't get any money back, and you'll just have to chalk it up to experience. It's too bad the horse had to take the brunt of all this. |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | So your saying you never rode your horse befor bringing it home, your never went up to see your horse and ride it under this trainers watch? Have you taken your horse in to get checked to see if they can find a problem? |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| I guess the lesson here is:
NEVER TRUST ANYONE 
No matter how much they have won or how well the have done for you in the past.
Yes I am disgusted that my horse suffered.
I am getting it scheduled with a lameness specialist just in case this is a physical issue that the trainer missed or ignored.
Edited by So Lost 2017-07-03 1:34 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | You know...whether or not she went to see the horse or work the horse with the trainer...something is wrong here. The horse should not be worse off after 6 months of training. Period. If things were going that badly the trainer should have been communicating that with the client. Not just taking their money and continuing on. Makes you wonder if the trainer themselves was even the one working with the horse.
I guess I find it hard to believe that most are responding as if the owner is the key one at fault here. |
|
| |
|
 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | This is why i dont send horses out...i do it myself now it may take me longer but at least i know what im dealing with.....i would be ****ed as well all that money down the drain and you got shafted imo...now you just have to take a deep breath re group. .get your horse to a very good horse vet and start over your self at home.....m |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Sine the OP is being anonymous we dont know anything about he/she, so I'm thinking the horse could have her number as well. OP have someone else ride this horse after the vet check and see what it knows.. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Southtxponygirl - 2017-07-03 2:13 PM Sine the OP is being anonymous we dont know anything about he/she, so I'm thinking the horse could have her number as well. OP have someone else ride this horse after the vet check and see what it knows..
I agree Roxie.
As far as the lesson in this, it isn't never trust anyone. It's: always be proactive in your horses training, riding, experiences, and life. Not trusting someone has nothing to do with any of this in my opinion. You can still trust someone's judgment and want to see for yourself. |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I think the only thing I would have done differently was to let the trainer know that you would no longer recommend them to anyone based on your experience with them and if someone asks about them, you will tell your experience with them. I wouldn't have said anything on social media.
I would be mad especially since you said you had used them before and with success.
A trainer is supposed to let you know if your horse is a "pig" so they don't have to mess with them, and you can cut your losses.
I would not write this horse off, I had a filly that I sent to a trainer my sister had great success with, a month later she calls and tells me to come get her, she is a dangerous horse. She hadn't been with us, but I left the next day to bring her home. I called another trainer we had used and liked a lot. He never could get her to take a wrong step. |
|
| |
|
Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| My question is why the heck didnt you go ride with the trainer through out the time he had the horse? They should allow you to come over and periodically ride the horse with the trainer and learn what the horse has been taught. Also ride with the trainer before you take your horse home. You gave someone hundreds, if not thousands of dollars and never rode your horse with him? That makes no sense to me. |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | So Lost - 2017-07-03 12:50 PM I wanted to add this isn't the first time I had used this trainer. I had them work an different horse a couple years back with stellar results. I trusted them, their judgement and had no reason to think they would be dishonest.
Apparently trainer aren't held accountable at all these days.
I'm not concerned about using a different trainer and will probably never send another horse out.
maybe the horse is a puke |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Did you ride the horse WITH the trainer present before you took him home? Especially if you had the horse there so long, the trainer probably rides differently than you do. And if the horse IS dead-sided or there is a problem, you can address it on the spot in-person.
Yes, the trainer needs to be accountable for the horse under its care .... but the owner does too. If you didn't make plans to ride your own horse with the trainer and ask questions before you left, well, things can always be communicated better in person.
After 90 days when the trainer stopped communicating, you shouldn't have let that happen. Yes, I agree that the trainer needs to be accountable ... but so does the owner.
Did you sign a contract with the trainer? Do they have a refund policy? Did you ASK about a refund policy before you sent your horse? I don't think it is out of line to ask for one if you were not happy with the results, but on the same token, if the trainer has a no refund policy, then there's no refund. Personally, I don't know of any trainer who gives refunds. It's near impossible to guarantee anything with horses.
So you wanted the trainer to keep your horse for FREE during that 6th month when you said you are brining it home? Did you negociate a reduced monthly fee at that time? Doesn't sound like it. So sounds like trainer was correct to charge you the full month because you did not make arrangements otherwise.
In general, I dislike it when I see anyone make that type of rant on Facebook ... but that's just me. (anymymous or not ..... although nothing is ever anonymous) If you want to tell me about it in person when we are having a conversation someday, sure. But social media is always so quick to jump in with the pitchforks and torches. IMO
So I obviusly the trainer bears some fault in this ... but sounds like some of it bears on you too. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| Yes, I shouldn't have trusted the trainer, even though previously I had a great experience with them, and when the updates were slow I should have been a thorn in this trainers side. I should have said get me videos or I'm sending a hauler. Instead I was understanding about how many horses this trainer had and the long hours they were working and every other excuse I was given for why updates were slow, or vauge and they couldn't get video.
I should have traveled up to see and ride my horse, unfortunately because of my work right now I can't be gone for much more than 24 hours or I would have.
As far as riding different yes everyone rides a bit different but horsemanship is horsemanship. I grew up buying, retraining and selling sale barn horses, catch riding at sales, I usually train all of my own horses but the property I have now isn't set up for it. I have ridden everything from cutters, reiners, western pleasure horses to dressage and jumpers. So I can pretty much guaranteed this isn't a case of the horse has my number.
I asked the trainer about the issues I was having as soon as I rode the horse and they had no explanation, at all. Didn't even say it was odd for the horse or suggest maybe I was doing something wrong. They just said they feel bad the horse is like that. I can't even wrap my head around how a person can take a horse who was going pretty good for me before I sent it, into this dead sided, hard mouthed, animal
As far as my post on social media, well it pretty much said that my horse didn't do well in training and I am disappointed and will have to start the horse from scratch and retrain it. I also said I was feeling sort of ripped off.
I guess I should have told everyone the horse was perfect and retrained it in silence and let the trainer take the credit when the horse is retrained and running because it faux pas to share any experience with a trainer that was bad.
Edited by So Lost 2017-07-03 3:25 PM
|
|
| |
Folks on-line