An equestrian professional makes his or her living with horses, whether they are training jumping horses or mucking out stalls. When a rider hires a horse trainer, he is trusting that professional to provide a service in exchange for money. Therefore, riders should be no less diligent about hiring a horse trainer than they are about hiring a lawn maintenance crew or an electrician.
A jumping horse trainer specializes in jumpers, and might further sub-specialize in a particular jumping discipline. A trainer who works with three-day eventers, for example, will have much different qualifications and techniques from a trainer who works with hunters.
Compatibility Between Trainer, Horse and Rider
The first thing riders need to consider when hiring a horse trainer is compatibility. This refers both to personality and riding philosophy. For example, a timid rider who has difficulty giving strong commands should not hire a heavy-handed jumping horse trainer.
The best way to gauge compatibility is to actually talk with the horse trainer. Request a meeting and sit down for half an hour or so to discuss that equestrian professional's qualifications, experience and philosophy. Ask:
- How long have you been a jumping horse trainer?
- What types of horses have you worked with in the past?
- How do you discipline your horses?
- How often do you work with your horses in training (e.g. three times per week)
- Are owners allowed to watch training sessions?
If the answers to any of these questions seem incongruent with the rider's personal horse training philosophy, it is best to look elsewhere. Reservations now can easily turn into regrets.
It is also true that horse owners are the best judge of who will work best with their horses. If an equestrian professional seems to heavy in her hands and the rider knows her horse does not respond to that technique, he knows to find a new candidate.
Pay special attention to the way the horse trainer approaches fences and the ways in which he warms up his horses for difficult jumping sessions.
Horse Training Fees
Another consideration when hiring a horse trainer is how much the equestrian professional charges. Some horse trainers charge by the session, while others have weekly or monthly fees for a certain number of riders.
Horse training fees are by no means static, and the amount will differ depending on geographical location, experience of the trainer, quality of the facilities and numerous other factors. However, overpaying for a jumping horse trainer is a big mistake.
The best way to determine whether horse training fees are reasonable is to conduct a quick survey of barns and stables in the area. Riders should call around to different facilities and request quotes. This will give them a basic understanding of what it costs.
Horse Trainer Qualifications
There are plenty of jumping horse trainers who have only been in business a few months but are entirely qualified. Similarly, horse trainers with years of experience can easily disappoint their clients.
It is important to weigh horse trainer qualifications against all of the other criteria set forth in this article. Consider not only how long the equestrian professional has been training jumping horses, but also how long he has been riding and how he has fared in the show arena.
Most important, riders should verify horse trainer qualifications whenever possible. Just because John Doe says he has trained world-class show horses does not mean this is true. Ask for proof in writing or the contact information of previous clients to vet information.
Terms of Horse Training
The final consideration when hiring a jumping horse trainer is the terms in the agreement between rider and trainer. These can vary significantly, and should always be spelled out in a contract.
Never sign a horse training contract that extends beyond a month. Riders should give themselves the opportunity to take their horses out of training a move to someone else if they are not satisfied after 30 days.
Additionally, find out what time the trainer will be working with the horse and request permission to sit in on training sessions. This is the easiest and most practical way to monitor a horse trainer and ensure the horse's safety.
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