Remember Me
forgot your password?

How to Pick a Horse Trainer

When looking for a trainer, you need to decide what your goals are. They may change depending on what you and your horse decide to do, but at least have an idea of what you want to do. Do you want to show or just take lessons? Do you want to trail ride and just want to learn how to control your horse and ride better?

WHERE to look for a trainer

You can start with your vet, horse-related magazines, local tack store, friends or the classified advertisements in your local paper. Tack stores usually have a bulletin board, where they allow barn owners and trainers to post announcements when they have stalls available and if they're accepting new clients. If a tack store has been established for a while, they can usually tell you about the local barns, trainers and their disciplines. Compile a list from everyone and give the trainers and/or barns a call.

Pleasure or show?

Showing your horse is quite different then just riding for fun or taking lessons. If you're serious about showing and winning it requires a different mindset then taking lessons and going trail riding or hanging out with your horse. Its also much more expensive. Show barns usually charge more for boarding, but usually have a trainer available if the barn owner doesn't train and show horses. Make sure the trainer has shown in the discipline you're involved in.

VISIT THE BARN

After you get a list of trainers, call them to set up an appointment. Go to the barn they work out of. Check out the facility. If the barn isn't in great shape, don't worry. Instead, look at the horses - are they well fed and cared for? Do they have plenty of grass and turnout? How's the fencing?? Is the barn neat and orderly? Does it look and smell clean?

MEET THE TRAINER

It's helpful to watch a trainer teach a lesson, so try to schedule a time when a few clients will be at the barn. Talk to him or her in between lessons. Find out about their personal riding experience. How long did they show as a kid or adult? Where and on what circuit? If they still show as a professional, that will take away from their time to teach. And if they're on the road with advanced students a couple months a year, they may not be the right trainer for you. And find out how long they've been teaching. If they're new to teaching, they may have more time for you and your horse. Just because they're new, doesn't mean they don't have talent. Ask the trainer for references and if they're reluctant, don't enlist their services.

And finally, remember finding the right trainer is a personal choice. You need to like and trust the trainer you choose. They should be willing to answer your questions about their training philosophy and what they're doing with your horse. Lastly, go with your gut instinct. If you click with a trainer who's relatively unknown, that will turn out to be a better choice then going with a well-known trainer that everyone knows, that you don't click with. Riding and having a horse should be fun. If you do your homework beforehand you'll have more options and make the right choice for you and your horse.

Edna X Wilson
Edna X Wilson is a writer for www.HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of horses for sale, used trailers and ranches for sale.
Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Pets Articles
  • More from Edna X Wilson

Raising Goat Tips for Easy Goat Raising

By: Justin Case | 27/12/2009
Keep on doing your research about raising goats. You will find out why it is so exciting for so many folks and why it can be for you also. However, part of the fun is the time spent with them. So be prepared to make a time commitment to taking care of them. If you expect to be in the goat raising business very long, you will need to keep a good eye them and follow these tips.

Getting Your New Puppy To Stop Chewing On Everything

By: Max Cook | 26/12/2009
Training and teaching your pup good behavior now is most essential in controlling the chewing habit. With a few tips, you can be well on your way to teaching your new puppy to stop chewing on everything it sees.

Before you get a dog - train the children!

By: Anne At Green Community | 26/12/2009
That's right - train the children. Teaching your children how to treat pets with respect and a basic understanding of dog behaviour can help to avoid unpleasant nips, bites or worse.

5 Critical Facts about building your Own Chicken Pens!

By: Frank Mull | 26/12/2009
Did you know that there are some critical facts you should know before building your own chicken houses? Here are five important points to keep in mind when building your own chicken pens!

Smart Cats Use StopTrax!

By: David K | 26/12/2009
StopTrax is a patented two part litter containment system that virtually eliminates the litter a cat will track from the kitty litter box. Where Stoptrax works really well is that it keep and contains the litter the cat will get out of the box and keeps it from being retracked all over your home

Lovebird Breeder - How To Select The Best Breeder

By: Thomas Roberson | 26/12/2009
It is the responsibility of a lovebird breeder to be familiar with the numerous aspects of a lovebird's life and its proper care. So, make an effort to discern a lovebird breeder lovebird breeder well before finally deciding to bring home a lovebird from his aviary.

House Training Your Dog Requires Time and Patience

By: Damian Cross | 26/12/2009
When your dog is caught in the act, doing his business in the living room floor, remember that as a child you were also unaware of the right thing to do. Teaching your dog not to leave his excrement all over your home will require teaching your dog a few...

Is Your Dog in Need of Behavior Training?

By: Damian Cross | 26/12/2009
We are all aware that there are certain behavior patterns pet owners will not tolerate from their dog. Activities such as eating your newspaper in the morning and your show for lunch can be categorized as bad. Barking all night or attacking your neighbor are also signs that your dog...

How to Pick a Trailer

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Pets
Buying a trailer the first time can be overwhelming if you don't know anything about rigs. It's best to take a friend with you who hauls their own horses. Even then, you'll still have to provide information on your horse and truck to make sure you get the right...

The Fell Pony Breed Review

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Pets
History The Fell Pony gets its name, FELL, from the Norse word meaning "hill." During the four centuries of Roman occupation on the border between England and Scotland, extra troops - French, Dutch, German, Polish, Spanish and eastern European cavalrymen -- were brought in to protect Hadrian's Wall which separated the...

How to Choose a Barn For You and Your Horse

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Pets
Choosing a barn ought to be easy but it may take a few moves to find the right fit of cost, location, horse care and people. It's a tricky thing, finding the right place for you and your horse. If your horse and riding are a large part of your...

How to Prepare For a Horse Show

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Sports & Fitness
When you're getting ready for a horse show, it's always best to have a list of things you need to take with you. Invariably everyone forgets something, so it's best if you have your own list of tings to bring and your trainer has his or hers. Don't depend...

How to Choose Your First Event Horse

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Pets
To have a safe and enjoyable eventing experience, you need the right horse for the job. It starts with choosing the right horse to partner with for entry level eventing. If you already own a horse, these guidelines will help you decide whether he's a good fit for the sport....

Avoid Scam When Buying

By: Edna X Wilson | 17/07/2008 | Pets
Internet fraud is prevalent everywhere and the horse industry is no exception. If you can avoid selling your horse over the internet, do so. But if the Internet is your only option or you chose to buy/sell your horse or tack on-line be aware of the following inherent obstacles. Dubbed the...

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.21, 1, w2)