Expenses question

[Cat.J95]

I don’t see why it can’t be both. It’s a teachable moment.

[Rel6]

Absolutely appropriate for trainer to interpret, but doesn’t meant the parent should not have a copy of the records.

[Peggy]

While I agree that the parent shouldn’t just be handed the PPE results or maybe even interact directly with the vet without a trainer or knowledgeable person also present, how are people supposed to learn if they aren’t given a chance to go over the PPE results with the trainer/vet/knowledgeable person? Trainer could start by giving the decision based on the results, summarize the highlights, and then go over the PPE and any significant findings on the radiograph report. No, they don’t need to review every radiograph. But they should be given the opportunity to go over the results, ask questions, and have the trainer explain the reasoning behind any maintenance. After all, I get a copy of the work that was done on my car, which I possibly understand less well than some people understand PPE results.

And, after the briefing/summary, they should definitely have a copy for their files.

[BatCoach]

@Peggy

Funny but accurate (OK, pulling a trailer with a sports car is definitely stretching it)

When Kurt russel is at the wheel anything is possible!

[trubandloki]

@Rumorhasit93

On the flip side…do you think approaching the trainer would illicit an honest answer? “Hi, we are new to this, are these fees normal?” What is the trainer going to say? “No”?

Yes these are completely normal & very reasonable rates. In the PNW most lessons/training at shows runs $100+ Per day. Grooming can be $100/day easily and splits even more considering how many groom stalls, VIP, food tabs, etc.

I think this was the right place to ask for an honest answer

I do not disagree with the OP asking here.
That does not mean the OP can not have an adult conversation with the trainer about fees.

Simply saying that they are new to this and they need to understand how fees associated with things work so they can move forward making educated decisions on what their daughter will be able to do.
Any good barn should be willing to explain that the next show is just like this one so the fees will be similar, but the one in late September is at a different venue and they will be staying for two weeks, which makes it actually two shows, blah blah blah.

[Jealoushe]

@Limerick

What do you mean “poofed”? I showed the Trillium circuit in 2003. I hope that still exists? I think they have “level” names now-like gold and silver? I showed at Fiddlers Green, Gaelic Glen, and Ashland.

The South East Zone had one show then all the rest this year were cancelled. No organizer in sight now.

Other regions have them still.

[crackerjack]

@Jealoushe

Eastern Ontario Canada. BUT we have a severe lacking of recognized shows in our area. Our H/J series just poofed. Dressage series is almost dying, and our recognized event ran its last show about 8 years ago.

Closest recognized show series/horse trials = 2.5/3 hrs.

So while schooling shows are great for so many things, they also can kill the recognized circuit if the recognized shows can’t compete with the big fancy shows.

If you don’t mind me asking- where in Eastern Ontario? My geography is terrible! Here in Ottawa we have a pretty busy Schooling, Trillium and Gold show series. Yes the majority are at WCP but that’s better than some of the footing and locations we had to endure in the 80’s-00’s! Right now they are running the Major League Series at WCP with some pretty big names!

[173north]

@Rel6

It definitely depends on the area, but $1,000 sounds pretty steep for a PPE on a 6-month lease for a short stirrup pony. Personally, for that length of time and that job, I’d want it to jog and flex serviceably sound with no major red flags and then call it a day. The most I would probably do is take a view of its feet to look for any rotation.

I just paid $900 for a basic clinical and lameness exam on a short stirrup / children’s hunter pony type. Not in a major metro area either!

[Limerick]

I like the way you phrased that. I usually exclaim that “everything is an industry now even marching band!! Do you know marching bands can pay crazy money for their choreography!? Marching band!!”

[Jealoushe]

The South East Circuit was serving Kingston & Quinte region.

[crackerjack]

Ah ok. Yah I think a lot of their shows were cancelled. I forget they are considered eastern Ontario! Anything west of Ottawa is “West” or Toronto…

[Jealoushe]

its ok…we have F all here in the area. It’s easy for the equestrians everywhere else to forget about us LOL

[Samondel]

Same here in Windsor… Ontario ends at London. Getting saddle fitters etc to come west of London is like pulling teeth.

I get the impression that if you aren’t near London, K/W, the GTA, or Ottawa… Good luck.

[Turntable]

@erinmeri

I find it a bit perplexing that a PPE would be billed to a client who was unaware of its being done, or of the outcome/findings.

No reputable vet would do that so I think we can be assured it was not a PPE. It may have been an insurance exam, I just had one done and it was a couple hundred + call fee that I didn’t split due to poor planning on my part + it was time for Coggins and vaccinations + we did routine bloodwork so ended up in the $600-range.

But yes OP- the vet needs to send you an itemized bill and you pay them direct. It’s cleaner that way.

[meupatdoes]

@WeissMar

My daughter had forbade me from asking barn personnel about the bills as to avoid embarrassment to her, so I am hoping to get some help here.

Nip that sh*t in the bud right away.

Your daughter wants you to fork over tens of thousands of dollars a year and doesn’t want you asking any questions to “avoid embarrassment to her”?!

First of all, step one is informing your daughter that these questions will be asked and satisfactory answers will be received or she can stay home next time. Period, end stop.

Secondly, your daughter should participate in these conversations.
No need to shield her from what the sport really costs. She can stand there and be embarrassed and get some practice at/watch you model having difficult conversations (it doesn’t even need to be all that difficult!) so she understands what her sport really costs and doesn’t grow up to be one of those adults who can never discuss an issue with a barn owner or politely challenge a contractor, etc.

These conversations are part of life, kiddo, especially when you want to enjoy extracurricular activities that cost five to six figures a year.

ETA: My trainers when I was a junior always addressed the lease bills to me directly. My dad would leave the envelope on our mail spot until I opened it and brought it to him. I hated it, but I understood the lesson and am glad they did it that way.

[Bogie]

@WeissMar

We understood that we would be responsible for all the vet care during the six months as we went through the contract thoroughly. However, we received a vet bill that showed that the day our lease began, the horse also got vaccinations, physicals, etc, that costs nearly a thousand dollars. Should we expect similar bills at the beginning of our next lease?

I have only leased one of my horses a couple of times, but I always had a complete physical at the start of the lease so that everyone was on the same page when it came to the horse’s condition. This is so that if the horse was injured during the lease, we could all agree that it wasn’t a pre-existing condition.

However, the barn should have shared with you what that veterinary expense included and their thinking behind it. Since the barn has been transparent about the show expenses, there’s no reason they won’t share the details of that as well. It may be the case that many parents don’t ask.

[c0608524]

Sarnia area is the same. Trailering out for a half decent lesson feels like an all day adventure by the time I hook up the trailer, drive an hour, actually receive the lesson then get home. Really wish there was more here.