I hate horse trainers

[foursocks]

Well, I guess you just did, so there you go.

I don’t think people should ride without trainers if they want to get better in their riding and/or compete. As I mentioned above, everyone- from beginners to Olympians- benefits from at least (educated) eyes on the ground. Even if it is one lesson a month, which is what I was able to manage for a while because my trainer at the time was far away, that’s better than nothing. It’s a chance to check in with someone knowledgeable who can give you homework, correct issues, provide a new lens on training problems, notice things about your horse(s) that you’ve missed or gotten used to, etc.

If all you want to do is be at the level you are at, you feel confident, you have no higher aspirations in your own education, you don’t show or whatever level you are showing at is very comfortable for you and your horses, then yeah, skip it. Have fun with your horses, dork around, practice things you know, whatever. Plenty of people do that and that’s great. But if you want to learn and advance your and/or your horses’ training, tackle a new level or discipline, solve training problems, well, I think you need more than youtube and a few books.

[Red_Barn]

My goodness. The snottiness of CotH is sometimes quite breathtaking, isn’t it?

Personally, I agree with those who feel that many people are absurdly overdependent on trainers - to the point, sometimes, that they lose sight of their own priorities. And when a person is unable to articulate a coherent sequence of goals for herself and her horse, then yes - she often becomes a doormat for opportunistic trainers.

Working alone for some period of time can help to address this, and make a person a better, more autonomous rider as well as a more discerning client. Oftentimes they’re better horsemen, more informed boarders, and more confident people as well.

[foursocks]

I didn’t mean that to sound snotty, I was trying to be funny, but I guess it didn’t translate.

[cardinale]

@Red_Barn

Personally, I agree with those who feel that many people are absurdly overdependent on trainers - to the point, sometimes, that they lose sight of their own priorities. And when a person is unable to articulate a coherent sequence of goals for herself and her horse, then yes - she often becomes a doormat for opportunistic trainers.

Working alone for some period of time can help to address this, and make a person a better, more autonomous rider as well as a more discerning client. Oftentimes they’re better horsemen, more informed boarders, and more confident people as well.

Agree, as long as the independent rider has a good knowledge base and adequate skills. Which, unfortunately, isn’t always easy to come by nowadays. Not that working with an inadequate trainer is any better. It’s tough in many parts of the country.

[Red_Barn]

@cardinale

. . . It’s tough in many parts of the country.

That’s for sure.

Even here on CotH, some of the Terrible Trainer stories could curl your hair.

[RedHorses]

Somebody did, up thread. I don’t remember who, and of course I can’t find it skimming through…

[Bristol_Bay]

Personally, I would never own a horse I couldn’t feel safe and have fun on outside of lessons.

To me, the best trainers include exercises that their students can do on their own that will help them get stronger and improve. It also activates that trainer voice inside your head to ride outside of lessons so that you internalize the ones you take.

[horsegurl]

@Red_Barn

So nobody’s yet suggested that maybe the OP should ride without a trainer (!!!) for a while.
Is there some reason why that’s not an option?

Hi, @BrendaJane . I have checked back in a few times, up thread.
@Red_Barn Riding without a trainer was sort of suggested and is somewhat a possibility. I do like having a ground person, and I need a ground person for coursework and anything over 2’6. I still need those reminders to not pull to the miss, or to not fall on his neck and send him off balance.

The suggestion was basically that I ride on my own, and then go take lessons with trainers who I do respect. Well, I don’t have a truck and trailer so that one is tough, but I have kind of reconfigured my plan for the first quarter of the year when I wouldn’t be showing anyway. So I think things are on the upslide! Thankfully.

There are lots of things in programs I see that I don’t like- unfairness to horses, and personal friends have been told things by trainers that I know is just so unfair, and a money grab (and so “I hate horse trainers”), but what really set me off to create the original post was my trainer making comments that my horse was just an a%#hole. But that is really not his personality he seems to love his job, but giving me some problems currently, and my first thought is that something must be hurting him. That’s where my head goes. I think for the most part horses want to work and want to be cooperative with us-it’s in their nature.

And so yes, I need a new trainer, a new Direction, and a new plan. I might need a new horse too, but changed the shoeing, added some front pads and that seemed to help quite a bit.

And for the record I can wrap legs, do polos, give shots and a plethora of other horsemanship skills! have you ever sat in on an Equine necropsy? That is one amazing animal we are sitting on!

Thx everyone!

[BrendaJane]

@horsegurl

Hi, @BrendaJane . I have checked back in a few times, up thread.

Ah, I stand corrected and offer my apologies

[horsegurl]

@BrendaJane. No prob!

[Red_Barn]

@horsegurl

There are lots of things in programs I see that I don’t like- unfairness to horses, and personal friends have been told things by trainers that I know is just so unfair, and a money grab (and so “I hate horse trainers”), but what really set me off to create the original post was my trainer making comments that my horse was just an a%#hole.

I hear you.

For me, “unfairness to horses” would be the deal breaker (and I did, at one point, fire a trainer for this, no second chances) so I don’t think you’re being at all unreasonable.

Constantly saying bad things about your nice horse is interesting too. Would your trainer, by any chance, stand to make a profit if you “have to” buy a new horse? I’m probably a terrible old cynic, but I’d think carefully about that angle if I were you.

[2bayboys]

In my experience, if a trainer doesn’t like your horse, it’s best to either get a new trainer or get a new horse. Whether or not the dislike is justified, those relationships tend to be very unproductive all the way around.

[meupatdoes]

I mean, basically, the best road is in the middle.

Some of the worst riding you’re going to see is with people who never take lessons and don’t even have an idea of what they don’t know, and on the other end you have trainer coddled people who are propped up by prep rides and sunshine blowing like that Shelley Browning person who blatantly abused her horse all the way around a dressage test.

The best horsepeople and riders usually end up being the ones who CAN and DO think for themselves, …but also use that noggin to seek out and listen to good advice from experts and keep actively working to be the best rider for their horse they can be.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

@2bayboys

In my experience, if a trainer doesn’t like your horse, it’s best to either get a new trainer or get a new horse. Whether or not the dislike is justified, those relationships tend to be very unproductive all the way around.

This, 1,000%. I used to ride a Morgan, and the trainer at the barn didn’t like Morgans. I felt terrible, because often she’d blame the horse not me, when things didn’t go well. And I knew it was my riding, not the horse! But she couldn’t see past the horse to help me fix myself so he could shine.

A good trainer will be able to work with a variety of different types of horses/rides, but some have a very limited bag of tricks and a very rigid program.

[kirbydog]

Depends on the why
If the trainer doesn’t like your horse because it’s not their type, well too bad for the trainer; if you love him, and he makes you happy, then find someone who will help you with THAT horse

On the other hand, if the trainer doesn’t like your horse because you want to be competitive at (for example) A/O hunters, and your horse jumps poorly, maybe there should be a conversation about the reality of the situation
I have an amateur , who is a good friend, who bought a horse that just doesn’t cut it for the A/O’s. But, he’s well educated on the flat, he fox hunts, gets a piece of the hacks, and makes her happy. The discussion was that, if she keeps this horse, she needs to understand that she will never be the winner, as he is just not good, or careful enough. But she will have a horse she enjoys riding, hunting, and showing occasionally. And that’s ok. It’s when rider blames trainer for them not winning, and telling them the truth of the situation, which you may not want to hear, that trouble will brew.
Both parties need to be very, very clear and honest in their expectations, of each other and the horse

[Lord_Helpus]

You hate trainers. You do not enjoy your horse. You are not confident in your ability to go to a fun barn and just enjoy the good parts of horse ownership. Your post says that all trainers are thieves. Perhaps horseback riding the right sport for you?

[horsegurl]

@Lord_Helpus Ummmm…nowhere did I say all horse trainers are thieves. Guilt complex much?

@Lord_Helpus

…Your post says that all trainers are thieves…

[KBC]

@horsegurl

@Lord_Helpus Ummmm…nowhere did I say all horse trainers are thieves. Guilt complex much?

@Lord_Helpus

…Your post says that all trainers are thieves…

Very much implied in the first post

Sick and tired of trainers. They only want client’s with money, a big piece of tape over their mouth, and the will to serve the trainer. Few really “train”

[Equestrian24]

Absolutely agreed with this! I also think part of it can be due to a lack of exposure to those things too, since I started out as a recreational rider in a farm community where a lot of things like lunging and wrapping polos were pretty rare. Someone coming from a similar background may have just never done certain things like that. I definitely took up an interest in learning though, and asked for lessons involving these kind of things as well.

I also agree that it’s much better for people to ask for help than try certain things on their own and end up potentially hurting their horses or themselves. Asking questions is how you learn, after all!

[trubandloki]

Laugh, @Lord_Helpus I saw your post in response to me and I thought - No way did I say any of those things. Then I realized you were responding to my post where I quoted the OP and you were likely responding to the OP.