What to look for in a trainer

[dougndanielle]

I have a yearling that I bought and will eventually need training.He is a QH from reigning/cutting bloodlines that I just want to use as my all around horse(trail-riding, arena, and occasional gymkanas) I was reading a post from gbarmranch and the dilemma of choosing a trainier. I would like to know what everyone looks for in a trainer, what questions to ask etc. We have several trainers in the area. I have two friends whos horses came back with bloody sides from spurs. Another friends horse came back really hot and she was thrown off. So what sort of things are important to know when looking for a trainer?

[cboling]

See them ride their own or other training horses, get references.

Ask what discipline(s) they train for.

Best is talk to clients of theirs and see how they treat their own.

We get asked everything you could possibly imagine. Tell them what you want and look at how they react.

[Sirita_88]

I don't know much, take my info with a grain of salt because I have only had one horse trained.
I say go to shows and watch trainers. See how they school their horses. Also, look at the horse in the ring, is it quiet and responsive and how well did the horse do in the class? I found my trainer at the state saddle club show, he was great, the horse was quiet,in great shape, very responsive, and no marks. The horse won the 18 and under division and came in 2nd in the women's wp.

So, after that I asked him questions that relate to my personal beliefs. I don't like horses trained on draw-reins. So I asked if he uses draw reins. He didn't so that was a check. I like using leg aids, and he is big on them. I asked him to come look at my horse before training started for an evaluation, and he said that my horse is a candidate for wp. Another check.

I was lucky to have my horse stay at my barn so he came to me. I was able to watch him ride and liked the way my horse was handeled. If he would have been harsh, he would have been out the door (we only paid him for a few rides in advance so we could chuck him if we needed to).

So, I hope that helps. I know you don't want to do wp, but I am sure the same concepts apply to every dicipline. A lot of gymkana horses are hot, so I think its great for you to see other horses trained by him to make sure he doesn't make them hot.

Good luck!!

[dougndanielle]

I actually wouldnt mind a WP horse its just that my baby is the shorter athletic type. But thanks for the advice

[Danni L]

I agree with what was said.
#1.Ask a trainer what they expect to acomplish and discuss what you'd like to see and your personal training preferences.
#2.Ask to see them ride a horse they've trained and
#3.make sure you get references.
#4.Also ask about the equipment they like to use and make sure you agree with their methods .
A horse is too easy to ruin to trust to just any body.And I've heared too many horror stories of "trainers" who turn a horse into a hard mouthed, sensitive sided nervous wreck in 30 days.Also check on your horse through out the training process, that way , if you see something you really dont like you can either discuss it with the trainer or move your horse else where for training.

[cboling]

I just sent home a horse today that was at a trainers for 2 full years before making his way to us. The owner had bought two horses from us and loved them so sent her baby down to get trained right.

This poor horse after 2 years was a spooky bucking, squealing, belly rolling mess. He had no trust and would buck hard. We worked through it slowly and his mom understood we could not rush training, even though she invested so much with the other trainer.

After 6 months this horse could be ridden by anyone, go out and about, poles, barrels ( not well but he wasn't scared of them) he stopped great, did his wall work, moved well off leg pressure, neck rein, direct rein. I could go on but you get the point. His mom got on him today and was so worried he would buck, but of course he didn't. She now has two more she wants trained.

Ask to speak with repeat customers !!!!

[miss leanne]

References References References!!!

The best thing you can get from a trainer is lots and lots and lots of glowing references from people that person has trained for. I'd go so far as to say that, if the trainer is hesitant about giving references or only has one or two, I'd pass.

Only use a trainer that is willing to give you lessons on your own horse. It doesn't have to be right away, in can be several months into the training process. But if he's not willing to show you how to do the stuff with your horse that he's been teaching it, I'd pass on them as a trainer.

Make them sell themselves to you! THEY are being paid to do a job for YOU. Hear their schpeel and if you agree with it, continue. If you don't, keep looking.

Good luck!!

[Lady_MCSE]

After you think you're close to making your decision . . . make a surprise visit to the facility to see if things are as you would expect them to be.

After you've dropped the horse off, make a surprise visit to the facility to see if things are as you would expect.

Make at least one more "scheduled" visit.

Best of all is if you can find someone who gives you a regular time you can come check in, or even work with your horse. When I took mine out for training, I basically asked for privileges to the barn whenever the trainer was there or not, as long as it was during barn open hours.

[divinemisselle]

Yes to all of the above!

I would also like to add though: As a client/owner, be clear and reasonable in your expectations of where you want your horse to be after 30-60-90 days. Understanding that all horses move along at their own paces is so important! There really are people out there who expect a bombproof horse returned to them in 30 days!