JUNE 1997 BACK ISSUE

Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 6/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.

Good Horse Trainers Are Hard to Find

By Dennis B. Mossburg and Margo Odette Derrick

Did you know that finding a good horse trainer is more important than spending more money on the show or trail horse itself? Money is always spent on numerous items such as trucks or new tack or stall decorations or that promising colt but occasionally the new horse owner doesn't invest the time or financial resources to find the right trainer. This costly mistake can also be made by those who have been showing or breeding for years or those new to horses as well.

Time should always be spent researching any new horse trainer because a good trainer can be hard to fine. A good client-horse trainer relationship is an important asset to the development and maintenance of a horse either for showing or backyard purposes. Any horse can be easily ruined with incompetent training so be sure to find the best horse trainer your money can buy. The following information will help you keep a horse trainer as long as you need them and help you to locate a new trainer if needed.

You are with your current trainer who has done wonderful things for your barn and horses in the past but now they don't seem to be spending enough time with your horse. Do you need to find a new trainer? We have seen clients move from many different trainers and some have been with a new trainer each season. Just remember honest hard-working horse trainers can be hard to find because better horse trainers are in demand. Remember, excellent horsemen sometimes charge more than their competitors because they get quality results. You really do get what you pay for.

A major problem that causes horses to be moved from trainer to trainer is communication. Is your trainer charging you too much in your opinion? Do you feel you have no control over your investment's show career? Did your trainer decide not to attend a show you had your heart set on? Did you think your horse should have won that last class because you beat the winner at the last show? By freely discussing your concerns or any of the above questions with your trainer, you can become the "perfect" client, rather than a customer looking for a new barn.

Each trainer is a business person trying to cover their costs incurred and most trainers charge about the same from breed to breed with some noted exceptions. Ask about specific charges if you have a concern but honesty is the best policy if you feel you've been overcharged. Deal with this issue before your next show; not during a show when there already is enough pressure on each trainer to perform their best.

Be aware that if your trainer charges a bit more than the trainer up the road and your horse is happy, leave your investment where it is. Find out what's best for your horse and not you. Is your horse happy and performing very well in the top ribbons at every show? Does your horse greet the trainer every time they go to the stall? Chances are you wouldn't have a happy horse if moved to a new barn, especially in the middle of the show season. You may be taking your horse out of the ribbons for the rest of the year. The value of that investment will decrease if it isn't winning so your horse's good attitude and happiness should be your number one priority, even if you can save $50 a month (or more) elsewhere.

Many new horse owners assume that they guide their show horse's career. Your trainer is the paid professional and should guide your horse. You wouldn't presume to tell a dentist how to drill your teeth or a brain surgeon how to operate so you shouldn't tell your horse expert how to train. Unless you've been training your own horses for years but haven't hung out a shingle, you should assume from the start your trainer knows what is best for your precious, provided you did the research before you hired them.

Don't be greedy and over show your horse or ask your trainer to do so. A tired horse will start losing classes or tricolors and you shorten your horse's show career dramatically. Furthermore, a show horse that places in the top 3 ribbons all season is having an excellent show season. Don't assume that if your horse doesn't win every class, then your trainer isn't doing a good job.

Your trainer may have decided that a particular judge doesn't like your style of horse and tells you that you shouldn't go to the next horse show. Listen to them; you can become an informed partner in the training relationship if you listen first and ask questions later.

When your trainer tries to explain why your blue-ribbon winner garnered a third in the last class, you should listen and don't be upset about losing. Even World Champions have off days; horses aren't robots. If your green horse didn't win but the trainer is telling you why they moved up in the ribbons or why not, you should listen first. Express your opinion of the performance afterwards. Better yet, video tape the class or buy a taping from the videographer and discuss the class together when it is convenient for the trainer.

Occasionally, a hunt horse will be purchased without a trainer's input to be the barn's next saddle seat or western horse. Understand why your trainer switches your horse's division. Your trainer wants a winner in their barn as much as you want one in yours.

What if you put the horse in training for 60 days as a trail horse and your trainer is saying you have a perfect western horse that is regional quality with your first horse show 6 months away? You have done your research and you know your trainer is honest but you don't know if you should continue training past the initial contract. The local breeder sold you a "pet" quality animal for less money and your trainer is now saying "show" quality. Whom should you believe? In that case, it never hurts to get a second or third opinion from another qualified breeder or trainer.

Be up front with your current trainer and tell them you asked for an outside opinion. If another reputable breeder says take your horse home, then perhaps you should do that and consider finding another trainer in the future. Although it is nice to assume everyone is as honest as you, it can sometimes be too costly.

Do you feel you're being overcharged? Be sure to ask for itemized bills with specific amounts for each service performed. Discuss this with your trainer as soon as possible to head off any "inflated" bills in the future. Too many people remove horses over money because they never discussed what it costs for vet bills, shoeing, worming, etc. which are additional costs. It is best to work out a yearly schedule for these extra charges before you bring your horse. You won't be surprised and you can budget as needed.

Don't assume your horse is being taken care of properly. Your research at the horse shows showed you that your trainer treated clients and their horses, or spouses and children very well. Don't assume they will treat you and your horse just as well. Assumptions can be too costly.

You need to observe everything your trainer does with your horse and evaluate your trainer carefully. Do you know enough to really evaluate the trainer working for you? Have you been in horses long enough or do you need to go to the library or purchase your own books in order to understand what you are seeing in the show ring or at the stable. Spend time reading and asking informed questions.

Show up unannounced and observe once that your horse's stall is clean, that there is enough hay and grain present, or that your horse is being worked consistently. Find out when the schedule is for working your horse next and be present to observe but don't demand a command performance. Horses enjoy their routines and you would upset their schedule, not to mention the trainer who probably has other clients waiting for their horse to be worked.

How do you know if your horse isn't being worked enough? Observe for a change in muscle tone. In other words, if your pasture pony still has a grass belly from rich spring pasture and hasn't lost it in 2 months, it may be time to start showing up regularly and watching every workout. If the trainer objects, you may need to move your horse. Is winter hair still present in June in cold areas or April or May in warm areas? Think back to when your horse shed before with similar weather and ask if they aren't putting on the stall blanket as instructed.

Obvious signs of filthy stalls and ribs showing can't be observed if you don't check up on your horse at least once a month. On the other hand, don't show up every other day and expect results. Even good trainers need three months with a green horse or two months getting to know a new, older trained horse.

When you are watching your horse being worked, pay attention to what the trainer is telling you but also how they are treating your horse. Do they cool out your animal after a hard workout and apply liniment or water rinse as needed or are they ignoring the horse's needs while speaking with you?

Do they need to use a whip while training? If a whip is needed, do they use it sparingly and for correction only? Any trainer that whips a horse in anger and for retribution is no horse trainer. Don't assume a trainer should never discipline your horse or that they won't spoil her either. Are training aids needed and being used properly? Can your trainer explain the shoeing used and is it legal according to the rules of your division and necessary to correct action? Do you see improvement in your horse's abilities under your current trainer?

Does your horse exhibit a drastic change of behavior towards the trainer? This may mean your horse isn't performing to the best of it's ability or perhaps performance drugs are being used. If you suspect something as drastic as drugs are being used, you can get a different vet to do a blood test for you but keep in mind it will be expensive with the barn visit and the lab work. Without trainer research and close observation of your show horse at home and the horse shows, none of these important questions can be answered. A good horse owner will pay attention to their animal's needs and make sure they are cared for properly.

You did your research before you hired your trainer and you pay your bills on time. It's been a year (or less), and your horse isn't broke to ride or drive yet. You've also been very honest with your trainer and expressed your concerns throughout the year but you see no improvement. It is now time to move on to a new trainer. The following tips will help you choose a better horse trainer than the last one.

There are several decisions you need to make before you go trainer shopping. Will your horse stay with the trainer throughout the whole year or does your horse need to be taken home after the show season? Will you go to the world championships? Does your trainer also hold a judges card? What is your show and training budget? Will you allow the trainer to switch divisions as needed? Will you listen to your trainer when they evaluate your horse? It is best to write these decisions down to remember them during the initial interview. And yes, it is a job interview so ask specific questions that need detailed answers.

You've decided you like a particular trainer after careful observation of their demeanor at a horse show. You should attend at least 2 shows even if they are only going to green break a trail horse for you. The important detail is don't tell them you are observing them for a possible job. As with any interview, they will always put their best foot forward.

Does your potential trainer present a professional picture from clean stalls to happy, well-fed horses. Do they have nice stall curtains and clean, safe horse rigs? The curtains and vehicles are nice but not essential when evaluating a new trainer. Don't rule out a smaller barn because they haven't bought stall curtains or hired an assistant yet, especially if they have excellent references from other trainers and clients. Is your potential trainer polite and easy to talk to even after they just lost an important class? Are their customers happy? Will your trainer take the time to answer all your questions if you're new to show horses? Do they have too many horses to give your investment enough time? Do they have assistant trainer(s) and enough grooms? All these questions can be answered if you take the time to attend a horse show.

Don't just ask one or two people about a potential trainer. Too often those in the stands at horse shows or other events may have been beaten consistently by you probable trainer. Your best references are current clients with that trainer and other established trainers in the region. Keep in mind that other trainers may dish some dirt to get you in their barn so be very careful how you ask for information. Sounds sneaky but this is part of your research to uncover someone who will be involved in you life. It is well worth the time spent.

Does your potential trainer place consistently last at this show with every horse they have in the show string? Be sure to observe the trainer at another show before making a decision about them as your potential trainer because they could have a barn full of sick horses or some other reason unknown to you. They could be a bad trainer but you won't know unless you attend another show or two.

You've now decided that the trainer should be approached and asked about availability in their barn for a new training horse. Be aware that some trainers may not work trail horses because of time limitations and they may have too many show horses already in their stable. In that case, feel free to ask whom they would recommend instead.

Make an appointment to visit your potential trainer at their stable before signing a contract with them. Too often, a contract for training will be signed at a show or event without first visiting where your horse will be staying. Don't make that mistake. Remember some horses are never happy, so look at every horse in the whole training facility and observe more than one horse being worked. Spend the day. Spend two days. Your time is valuable, but so is your horse.

Now you can discuss your questions about price, does the horse need to stay all year and if the trainer is going to the Nationals that year, especially if you have a contender. See a contract with specifics before you move your valuable investment. If your trainer has a judge's card, find out when judging occurs and who is taking care of the animals while they're gone and find out which horse shows you can't attend with your horse.

Another important question to ask is will they evaluate your horse in person at the next show or your farm. Set an appointment with them and then listen again if they want to switch division, etc. Ask for their opinion on a possible schedule of upcoming shows and you can start setting your calendar according to your vacation time and budget.

Hopefully you haven't burnt your bridges with your old trainer so you can get the information you need about your horse's feeding and working schedule, details about types of feed, shoeing, worming, or any other problems. Be very detailed and write everything down. Give this information to the new trainer after moving your horse. It will help them adjust your pony to a new barn.

You've been with your trainer and you are now quite happy with them. Something happens, and you run short of money. Talk to your trainer if you are ever having trouble paying your bill on time or if you don't have enough to cover for a previous bill. Some trainers are willing to work out a payment plan such as paying year round even if the horse goes home at the end of the season or paying a flat rate throughout the year.

A flat rate includes extra charges such as shoeing, vet bills, and so on. Be sure to ask that each bill is itemized to keep accurate records on your horse.

Perhaps you have run out of money completely and need to now take the horse home before the end of the show season. Discuss this frankly with your trainer as soon as possible. Many trainers may want the horse to stay and will take payments, because your horse is a consistent winner in the ring. Trainers always need a proven winner in their show string. They will never be able to work something out if you don't ask.

And listen, listen, listen. Honestly exchange information about what's best for you, your horse AND your trainer. Don't assume. Don't have unreal expectations for your horse. Listen without interruption. Respect flows from owner to trainer and vice versa. Discussions about differences of opinions are always done in a professional and calm manner. Let the trainer know if you feel you should move your horse and give them an honest chance to improve. A good trainer is one of the best investments your barn or stable can make; a great trainer can usually win with a lesser quality horse in the show ring!

If your research is done about your trainer and the communication flows well in both directions in your training relationship, you shouldn't have to look for a new horse trainer anytime soon. You'll be earning yourself many more blue ribbons in the future and increasing the value of your animal by hiring and keeping a good trainer.