Please don’t PM me, @aohunter0629. Anything I have to say I’ll say here.
I suppose the owners like yourself who spend ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars a year’ on their hunters don’t ever flip through the USEF magazine they receive? The one that features big winners, medalists, Horse of the Year stuff, feel good articles, and the one that details pages and pages and pages of offenders names, their offence, and their punishment? Are they too busy patting themselves on the back?
If only I, a mere barn scrubber and foaler and everything to the herd here, could be so dismissive and full of disdain… as someone who has repeatedly whined to us that they spend hundreds and hundreds of thousands on their horses. Just in case you(g) missed that repeated Very Important Message.
And far better than I could. Well said.
Because it seems that one must be judged by their spending ability… and that seems to take precedence for some? My experience with that was years ago when there was a Very Nice Farm near where I lived and worked then. Astounding property and custom facilities. I remember going to an open house there - and wandered around with my mouth hanging open. That place beat the hell out of the extremely fancy Arabian barns I had seen. Chromed out big rig & trailer with spectacular amenities that pulled into shows and left everyone speechless. Grooms and barn staff were paid quite well compared to the rest of us… but the turnover was constant. Red flags everywhere. It obviously was not the facilities or the horses that were an issue… or even the sons who rode at the top level. The Mom and her barn manager made life a living hell for anyone unlucky enough to get hired and work the usual backbreaking long hours. The Mom constantly bragged about how much she spent on this or that - and yet complained that she never seemed to get any respect. Finally even that barn manager could no longer handle it and walked away as soon as the horses got back from the biggest show of the year. That was many years, barns and disciplines ago - and I often wonder what happened to that facility… time to be a Google detective…
Thank you for that. It is incredibly offensive to me, as a very hard working trainer, known for her blunt honesty, that someone thinks that there should be cap or limit to what we make. Nobody’s damn business. Period…
Anyway, back on topic, there was a horse this past week at Ledges that signed up for 26 jump classes (one rider, divisions from 2’6 to 3’3 and also puddle jumpers for some reason) and completed 24 of them before management stepped in. There was a couple other horses in the 20+ range. I just have to wonder what the heck some of these trainers are thinking and why show managers are allowing people to sign up for so many classes.
I mean, I KNOW what they’re thinking. But it still boggles the mind and I feel very sad for the horse.
because if you spend money, you are “included” and good enough. My guess is that the child spending 100’s of thousands each year is bankrolled by a trust or mom and dad and assumes the $$$ equals horsemanship and it. does. not. Tell me that you have 2 private grooms that you pay double…good for you, I guess? But why aren’t you taking care of your own horses instead of arguing with people on the internet?
ETA @smoofox this was not meant to be directed at you, just an add on to your comments to the ding dong who thinks they are smarter (and wealthier) than everyone else in this thread.
I just was out taking care of my own horses and I honestly don’t have time to argue with people about something that has nothing to do with this topic or the concerns at hand. Just like in this country people want to be at odds apparently. Agree or disagree but name calling and assumptions is uncalled for. Between working full time for our business, normal life, and having a 15 acre farm to take care of I think the fact I have 2 grooms part time is not to be questioned and I don’t owe you an answer. I spend a tremendous amount of time with my horses, more than most of you that “board”.
I do not think I’m smarter or wealthier AT ALL. I’m sure there’s many more with higher qualifications in life and there’s always people with more money! That’s life, hunny.
and yet you can’t stop humble bragging in any way…
seriously, good for your and your horses that you can offer such exceptional care. You are fortunate.
Owning a farm is not glamorous lol it’s a f ton of work even if you have people to help you. I am done responding to anything on this as it’s pointless and non-productive with regard to the topic.
This is the impression I got as well. That there was a falling out with the trainer when aohunter said no to something. I didn’t get the impression that they were gripping about tipping grooms but rather having a “what the heck” moment because they didn’t want to pay for something.
From their posts I am guessing this is all very fresh. The general consensus in this thread is that owners need stop putting their horses with these unethical trainers especially the unethical ones at the top of the sport. I think aohunter is that owner that had a huge wake up call and is still processing what all happened.
I don’t think they were talking about the trainers with solid programs doing well at the rated shows. I think they are talking about people like Larry Gelfke (I probably butchered the spelling) who was well acquainted with drug suspensions.
Just wow. I agree - if a horse trainer is making a living wage, they are lucky. Shouldn’t be the case but it is. I’ll raise you anyone who makes 7 figures is lucky and rare. My uncle owns his own business, he has no formal education and makes 7 figures- I guess he falls into people who you think have no business making 7 figures?
I think we all agree if people are making money off of abusing, in any fashion, horses that is a BAD THING (that goes for harming anyone or anything if you want to be warm and fuzzy)
What the scale? HS tops out at 50? BS 100? I know PLENTY of the professions you mentioned that are making 7 figures.
It is your opinion and no one is going to change it, but whew, a lot of people won’t agree.
You nailed it exactly. And if I could publicly post photos and say what I “discovered” you would all be horrified. The person who abused my horses is one of the “golden ones”. There must be a stop to what is going on and we (my husband and I) will do all we can to raise awareness and try to help there be change. Rather than just moving on to the next one to do the same. I appreciate your understanding.
I have 32 acres. I win, I win! Right? Since you only have 15 acres this means I win the game of horse owner’s Monopoly you are playing. It’s apparent in your own words that it is vitally important that we all know how much you have, how much you spend, and how monetarily generous you are because money = qualifications in your thin little book of life’s lessons. Are we comparing educations next? Schools? Whatever will it be…
You win! I don’t care about anything anyone has. It was said why don’t I go take care of my own horses and I responded and mentioned I spend more time than probably most boarders do. This isn’t a competition, this isn’t about shaming, as I said there’s a lot more work honestly having your own farm regardless. DON’T STEAL and DON’T ABUSE HORSES as a means to make/make more $$$$$. That’s all I care about.
and life 
