My Views on Becoming a 'Trainer'

I've noticed lately several posts on CL about an apparently (sp? That word never looks right, no matter how I change up the letters...*sigh*) young lady who is training for the public and catching all sorts of hell for it.

'Back in the day' (before the earth's crust cooled) it was sort of accepted that if you rode, were a member of 4-H and lived/breathed horses, you could 'train'. I got out there and rode anyone's horse that would let me get on. I read everything I could find. I hung out at any horse barn that I could finagle my way into. I showed at any show that my mom would let me go, hung out at the family ranch and pestered the cowhands to death, jumped any fence I could find...you get the picture. Horses were my life (and still are, I'm just a helluva lot older and body parts ain't what they used to be...).

Little by little, people asked me to ride for them and somehow I always had a talent for taking a mediocre horse and beating a much better horse in the arena. I still don't know how I do/did it, it just happened. But my point is, I got on and rode and learned, went to clinics/lessons and studied horses.

If nothing else on this planet, I know horses and am still learning everyday. Learned something new this morning while perusing the 'net too. Something I've been wondering about just finally 'clicked' and I can't wait to try it out on my bratty mare.

The thing is, I got out there and DID it...didn't just theorize or pretend, DID it. I think I have a fairly well rounded education of horses even though I don't ride a certain way (think saddleseat, which I don't 'get' but kind of understand...sorta). But I'm still learning and know I'm small potatoes because horses are so awesome and there is way more to learn.

This young lady who's been advertising on CL, she's offering some 'riding' for a very reasonable price. It used to be, you get what you pay for but in this economy, that's not true anymore. If you're worried about getting on your horse after a winter of sitting, there is someone who is willing to fork your horse so you can get on without making yourself look silly (been there, done that, have the T-shirt).

But, I've noticed that nowadays things are so freakin' specialized, that no one can see the forest for the trees. If you can't get on and ride so technically, then you must not be a trainer. I mean, it's all over, not just around here. It's almost like you're looked down on.

There is room for everyone. No one needs to try to hog all the training dollars. I've seen this before, numerous times. Listen, folks, there are plenty of niches for everyone. Because someone is young (I'll get into the insurance and taxes in a sec) isn't much of a reason to run her outta town. Go watch her, get a feel for her horse abilities and go from there.

I've seen people who woke up one day and had that innate natural way with horses that they could practically look at a horse and the horse would fall down trying for them. Then there are the 'experienced' trainers who shouldn't be allowed near a horse. Check http://community.equineoutreach.com/2009/01/example-of-horse-abused-in-training/ for a big name trainer who, last I heard, is getting booted out of the AQHA for this type of stuff. Disclaimer: I haven't kept up with this story and there is his side too, just haven't heard it all yet but it was a big story for a while.

As for the insurance and taxes...welp, things are plain different nowadays. I usually required my OWNERS to carry their own insurance on their horses. If I had a horse I couldn't handle, back they went to the owner. I knew my limitations, still do. But if the horse got hurt (very seldom, knock on wood because I have been careful all my life), the owner understood sh*t happens and they paid the vet bill or I did the vet work myself. None of this umbrella insurance and everyone not trusting in their trainer.

Glad to say, I always paid my taxes even if 'everyone else' didn't. Never mess with the IRS is my motto.

Given that there is a serious lack of young people coming up in the horse ranks, I would think that owners would give a young trainer a chance to go farther instead of tearing them into filet strips for daring to enter the hallowed world of training. Sure they have lots to learn but their prices will be down low or free but you might see an emerging superstar in the future.

As an aside...as for working under an established name for 3-5 years before striking out on their own, I have worked for 'big names' (look in the AQHA Journal) who bought their way into horses and don't know that much but can sure talk a good line. Gorgeous horses and fab training barns, oh yeah but I wouldn't trust them with a dead dog...but that's from the backstretch, you don't see it in public. Also, just gotta add this in too, when my daughter was an up and comer, I talked to a lady who rode/owned one of the biggest dressage horse (not Hilda Gurney but one of her contemporaries. I'm not naming her because I can't back up my claim and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't remember me from two phone calls but this did happen) and asked her about the British Horse Society tests (which were the rage for a while for 'licensed instructors/trainers) and she said it was all a crock. But that wasn't her public face or statement.

Gotta do your due diligence and think outside the box. Sorry this is long winded but this has been bothering me for quite a while. Ride safe, everyone!!