It’s not an evil thing, sometimes horses need to get the idea of something new or need a reminder, it is physically harder for them to carry themselves properly then schlep around on the forehand or go like a giraffe. Also can compensate for riders who either let them schlep, are to weak to prevent it or don’t know how.
BUT it is not a substitute for teaching the horse correctly, taking the time to let it learn and teach the rider to ride correctly, without gimmicks that fix the symptom but never address why it’s happening in the first place.
The situation described is discouraging. What’s going on seems to be like learning only the answers to a test without ever studying the material, at some point that knowledge is needed and it’s not there. Likewise the horse doesn’t learn self carriage and proper response to the aids…like training wheels, they come off, the bike goes over. That kid is not learning to ride without the training wheels and neither is the horse.
Why a " trainer person" charges for “training” needs a bungee every ride??? Would hint trainers skill set is…lacking. At best.
IME, trainers who put Green riders on Green horses that they specifically selected for that rider do so for two reasons.
1). Clients budget was such there was nothing else available in that price range and rider is sufficiently experienced to bring it along without too much help.
2). Client cannot ride/train it themselves and trainer sees a steady income stream in the foreseeable future.
There is a third reason-combination of the above.
Given the above info, it seems #2 is the very clear winner here.
But, OP, good luck convincing SIL she made a poor choice, spent at least three times what a rail thin, dead green, right off the track TB is generally priced at, if not way more then that (plus 15% finders fee commission to trainer?).
Or point out that TBs are generally are considered off type in todays Hunter show ring (except the beefier ones that look like WBs). Agree or not, good trainers who respect their clients goals and finances don’t find them a 1500-2500 rail thin TB at the track, tack at least 10k+ commission on it and ride the gravy train of Pro rides and lessons when it’s not the preferred type and needs to compensate by laying down perfect trips…under a Green rider.
Guarantee most of us could have found you an already going TB proven to lay down good trips under a Green rider and pin well or a Green WB of judge pleasing type for just under 20k. Or find you a very high quality lease horse for a year for 10k the kid can show tomorrow…which is probably about what SIL will spend on “trainer” rides and lessons in the next year with questionable outcome.
I can hear SILs response if you try to point these things out. “Trainer is very well known and has worked for GM and/or Olympic riders and trainer would never deceive us or put profit before our best interests because they are my BFF and have said DD has what it takes to go all the way”.
Yeah…right. Good luck with that one, especially since young teen is in love with her horse of a lifetime that will make her a star.
BTW, I have always had TBs, not knocking them, just pointing out the extra challenges which generally reduce the price, not quadruple+ it.
