Choosing a Trainer

Brenda Robson Author

There is a lot to consider when handing over the well-being of your horse to someone you barely know. Here's some ideas to make the best decision.

Choosing the Best Horse Trainer

Your horse is a precious part of your life. You picked it carefully, have grown to love it, and serve it daily with care.

Now it’s time to expand your horse’s education so that you can ride and explore new adventures together. How do you decide whom you will entrust with your horse’s education and care?

Here’s a list of considerations to explore, based on the nature of your horse, your level of ability as a horse owner, and the outcomes you want to see from the training. These outcomes should also be determined by the activities you plan to pursue in the future.

Do you have a value standard when it comes to horse training? Does it align with your beliefs? Perhaps you already behave in a kind, calm manner and prefer positive reinforcement. Look for a trainer who demonstrates these qualities. This person should also prioritize your horse’s emotional and mental well-being during the training process in addition to its physical development. Avoid trainers who are loud, domineering, and boast of their fast results using questionable equipment and methods. If you don’t know how and when a piece of equipment is used — ask about it so that you start a productive conversation that will assist your decision.

Ask about the trainer’s level of experience: how long they have been training, what types of horses they work with, and for what purposes. For example, starting young horses, fixing behaviours, and refining skills for the showing ring may be some guidelines. If you were referred to them, ask for references and try to get a chance to watch them work with horses in training or attend a show where they will be showcasing their skills.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the training and riding you watch. A trainer with integrity should willingly explain what they do and why, so that you understand. An offer to have lessons and coaching sessions to support you and your horse’s continued work at home is a good sign, too. The trainer should be able to give you clear feedback about the horse’s progress at each visit. Everything should be explained in words you understand, not just industry jargon. So ask if you need clarity on any words and don’t assume you understand what any terms really mean.

Ask for a tour of the facility! Look at things like footing, fencing, stables, and pastures. Are the horses on the property healthy, well-fed, and relaxed? If you see ribs and a tucked-up gut line, beware. Will your horse have any turnout time? Will turnout be private, and how long? Who else will be handling, feeding, and tacking up your horse while in residence?

You will want to know how much training time the trainer plans to put on your horse and what a weekly schedule will look like. If you want regular reports, videos, or the opportunity to view training, these should be provided. Also, you may want to watch the training of your horse and others so that you can see firsthand how the inevitable upsets are handled. You will get a real feel for the emotional level of energy in the ring by being there in person.

Finally, you will need to know the training and boarding fees. Don’t forget there could be additional vet and farrier charges. Make sure you have a written contract outlining all the terms and that it answers all your questions.

Sometimes — maybe too often — you just don’t know what questions to ask. When that happens, misunderstandings are a strong possibility. Ask around to all your horsey friends and get them to share experiences and questions they wish had been clearly answered before they took their horse to a trainer. This is the crux of getting to the truth about a trainer — someone’s experience and the evidence of good or bad results.

I strongly encourage you to take all the time it takes to find the right trainer and the safest location for your horse’s education. Then make sure you visit often and get a sense of how your horse is handling the stress. Don’t be deceived: horse training is stressful for your horse, so be its advocate. Your horse is counting on you to do the best for it, just as you would when it is at home.

Categories: : Let's Talk Training