Sending a horse to a trainer

Red · 02-20-2006, 05:43 PM

I wondered if there is a prevous thread that discusses the legalities of sending a horse to a trainer. Is there a sample document of an agreement that owners and trainers use when accepting a horse for training ? Or any advise about what to ask a trainer when choosing one?

Thanks ALot
Red

luvnhrses · 02-20-2006, 06:05 PM

Make sure that you check out the reputation of any trainer you are thinking about using. Talk to people in your area and see who other people have used and if they are happy with their horse. Word of mouth is the best and worst advertisement. So talk to as many people as possible. Once you find a trainer, don't feel bad about showing up un-announced to check on your horse(of course do it during regular business hours). Best of luck, with finding a trainer.

A J · 02-21-2006, 06:58 AM

As a trainer myself, there are a few things I would suggest you do: first, talk to the trainer themselves. Do they seem knowledgable, can they adjust how they train the horse (for example, some trail riders don't want their horses to react to leg cues since they don't know them themselves - had that one a couple times)? How long have they been training professionaly (getting paid to train)? Have they worked on any large farms/stables - (often people will be newer to "freelance" training, but have experience at barns and stables with good reps)? Can they provide any referances? Where do they train at - an established stable, or out of their own home (especially if they are newer to training, this will give you other people to contact - ie the stable owners)? Do they seem honest, or are they "too good to be true"?

As far as legal contracts, there should be one there for you to sign. It (or the boarding contract) will cover what vet to call, how to contact the owner, etc. The training contract may also cover how long the horse is in training, for what, releases, etc.

sheri7785 · 02-21-2006, 09:01 AM

I've had the bad trainers and the good. The first trainer I sent my gray gelding to was a friend of my aunts. He needed thirty to fourty-five days to help get a head set finished. I already had it started. She tried to get money from me for ninety days and was very rough with my horse. I don't know how many times I saw whip welts on him, but couldn't pull him out because my aunt wouldn't let me. I didn't really like that at all especially since he had such a soft temperment. The second trainer I used was awesome. I had taken lessons with her and was able to come watch her work young horses all the time. I couldn't have asked for a better person to break my last horse. The horse really liked her and she was always calling me updating on how he was doing.

I got her name by going to shows and talking to people. I would definitely get references that you can talk to. It really helped to talk to her current clients to learn what they thought of her. I would see, if you are a show person, if they have anything that is out on the ring showing so you know what their finished product looks like. I would then try to go see the trainer ride the horses. If they have any green horses those are the best to watch them with. Also I would take lessons with them before to make sure you don't mind their teaching style to the horse. Most trainers want to teach you how to ride the horse when it is finished at their place. That and spend a lot of time talking to them to make sure it's a match between you two. Nobody wants an unhappy horse and nobody likes to be mad at a trainer.

EquineAlberta · 02-21-2006, 01:38 PM

Ask if the trainer is insured. If they are serious about what they do, they should be.

Also make sure that any waiver you sign also covers you...you should not be held liable if your horse injures the trainer, staff, bystanders or facility, unless of course you have lied about the horse.

Find out what the facility does to prevent the training horses from spreading diseases (such as Strangles).

Karen2

02-20-2006, 05:43 PM
Red Halter broke Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atikokan , Ontario Posts: 187	Sending a horse to a trainer I wondered if there is a prevous thread that discusses the legalities of sending a horse to a trainer. Is there a sample document of an agreement that owners and trainers use when accepting a horse for training ? Or any advise about what to ask a trainer when choosing one? Thanks ALot Red

02-20-2006, 06:05 PM
luvnhrses Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sanger, CA Posts: 362	re: choosing a trainer Make sure that you check out the reputation of any trainer you are thinking about using. Talk to people in your area and see who other people have used and if they are happy with their horse. Word of mouth is the best and worst advertisement. So talk to as many people as possible. Once you find a trainer, don't feel bad about showing up un-announced to check on your horse(of course do it during regular business hours). Best of luck, with finding a trainer.

02-21-2006, 06:58 AM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,477	As a trainer myself, there are a few things I would suggest you do: first, talk to the trainer themselves. Do they seem knowledgable, can they adjust how they train the horse (for example, some trail riders don't want their horses to react to leg cues since they don't know them themselves - had that one a couple times)? How long have they been training professionaly (getting paid to train)? Have they worked on any large farms/stables - (often people will be newer to "freelance" training, but have experience at barns and stables with good reps)? Can they provide any referances? Where do they train at - an established stable, or out of their own home (especially if they are newer to training, this will give you other people to contact - ie the stable owners)? Do they seem honest, or are they "too good to be true"? As far as legal contracts, there should be one there for you to sign. It (or the boarding contract) will cover what vet to call, how to contact the owner, etc. The training contract may also cover how long the horse is in training, for what, releases, etc. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

02-21-2006, 09:01 AM
sheri7785 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,074	I've had the bad trainers and the good. The first trainer I sent my gray gelding to was a friend of my aunts. He needed thirty to fourty-five days to help get a head set finished. I already had it started. She tried to get money from me for ninety days and was very rough with my horse. I don't know how many times I saw whip welts on him, but couldn't pull him out because my aunt wouldn't let me. I didn't really like that at all especially since he had such a soft temperment. The second trainer I used was awesome. I had taken lessons with her and was able to come watch her work young horses all the time. I couldn't have asked for a better person to break my last horse. The horse really liked her and she was always calling me updating on how he was doing. I got her name by going to shows and talking to people. I would definitely get references that you can talk to. It really helped to talk to her current clients to learn what they thought of her. I would see, if you are a show person, if they have anything that is out on the ring showing so you know what their finished product looks like. I would then try to go see the trainer ride the horses. If they have any green horses those are the best to watch them with. Also I would take lessons with them before to make sure you don't mind their teaching style to the horse. Most trainers want to teach you how to ride the horse when it is finished at their place. That and spend a lot of time talking to them to make sure it's a match between you two. Nobody wants an unhappy horse and nobody likes to be mad at a trainer.

02-21-2006, 01:38 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,692	Ask if the trainer is insured. If they are serious about what they do, they should be. Also make sure that any waiver you sign also covers you...you should not be held liable if your horse injures the trainer, staff, bystanders or facility, unless of course you have lied about the horse. Find out what the facility does to prevent the training horses from spreading diseases (such as Strangles). Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!