Is My Trainer Blowing Me Off?

[trubandloki]

@candyappy

@trubandloki

I think if you had actually read the whole thread it would be very clear to you that the OP does not want to buy sight unseen.

Well my quote was off the first post and that was what I had read. Since the forum no longer signifies who the OP is as the thread progresses it is almost impossible remember who said what.

I think that information can be gotten from the original post too. But that aside, here is a tip for you - if you go to the first post of the thread (easy to do if you hit the thread title in the dark green bar at the top of the page), at the bottom of that original post is a bar of lots of neat things. Icons of all the posters and their post count. The original poster is always the first one, I believe (if I am wrong, you can see what icon is the original poster right above there and then pick that icon on the list below). Pick that icon (red arrow) and you will get the pop-up I show in the second screen shot.

In this pop-up if you pick the box that says how many posts that person has it will give you all the posts by that poster. This will allow you to not be bored by the rest of us, and only read the posts by the OP.

[TheJenners]

@candyappy

Since the forum no longer signifies who the OP is

I do very much miss this feature

[candyappy]

@trubandloki

I think that information can be gotten from the original post too. But that aside, here is a tip for you - if you go to the first post of the thread (easy to do if you hit the thread title in the dark green bar at the top of the page), at the bottom of that original post is a bar of lots of neat things. Icons of all the posters and their post count. The original poster is always the first one, I believe (if I am wrong, you can see what icon is the original poster right above there and then pick that icon on the list below). Pick that icon (red arrow) and you will get the pop-up I show in the second screen shot.

That made a world of difference. Bless you!

[trubandloki]

@TheJenners

@candyappy

Since the forum no longer signifies who the OP is

I do very much miss this feature

I think we all do. It is “On the List”. Not sure the list is on the top of any piles anymore, but it is in theory on the list.

[EssexFells]

@EndorRider I know you’re looking now at possibly moving barns, but these questions are useful anyway: when it comes to looking at horses, what does the trainer bring to the table that you don’t have? Or put it this way, what part of the horse purchase are you worried you’ll get wrong? By putting thught into the specific aspects you feel insecure about, you will be in a better position to ask for more specific help. A knowledgeable horse friend might be all you need to bring with, someone who could be your eyes on the ground and give you feedback. Or go ahead and hire a different trainer just for this purpose – pay an hourly rate for them to go look at the horse with you and give their impressions of it.

As others have said, you are blessed with an ample budget so I bet you’ll find a great horse who can do what you want to do.

I know you don’t want to travel around the country, but with a mid 5 figures budget, spending 2-5% of that budget on the search process itself is not unreasonable. For example I see a 5yo Dutch harness horse listed in Iowa - 15.3h, super versatile (rides, drives, arena, trail, does anything you ask.) Based on the video link in the ad, he looks like a fun ride. Listed for $17.5k. (I think it’s a violation of forum rules to post links to his sale ad, but if you want to look on Dreamhorse, he’s listed as “Connor, Bay Dutch Harness Horse”) I have no connection to the seller, just picked out an example that might be what you’re looking for, for a LOT less than $30-40.)

[eightpondfarm]

i still have about 20 more comments to read, but wanted to put this out-there. I totally understand wanting to feel connected with the local upper-crust dressagers and one of their preferred trainers and get in with their cool barn. Totally understand wanting to buy a horse that is beautiful and desirable to other people, but your horse needs and your budget will never make the big-time dressage women swoon,
Their horse-swoon would be a big KWPN…
They are not really into what you are into. And though I can really see how buying a suitable horse to their world might make you feel satisfied …compatible to revolve in their orbit, in the end, it does come down to your horse comfort-zone.

I THINK you can find a beautiful and sane trail horse that’s not too hot. The folks that suggested Morgans are pointing you to a classy beautiful breed. Not a breed that is going to make the serious dressage campaigners melt…But there are some truly beautiful Morgans. (to just about anyone’s eye) I had one that i kept at a barn and he had women (mothers of student riders) that would hang out by his door and let him nuzzle them. One lady said she dreamt about him…lol He was as handsome as Black Beauty. I admit it, i enjoyed the envy. It’s NICE to have a beautiful horse to hack out aboard. So GO FOR IT!!! Spend the money and get a gorgeous hunk of horseflesh!!!

And maybe you will find a very nice barn, with nice women and lovely horses and a great facility with all the stuff everybody wants to enjoy … and enough of people around to add to the pleasure of keeping a beautiful horse.

[BrendaJane]

It does not seem to me the OP is wanting to fit in with the upper crust, just ride and enjoy doing so on her terms. She picked a local trainer for this with the access to a suitable horse.

But for the life of me I don’t get people who cannot look past the ‘now’ and sow some good will for thier business toward the future.
So, the OP is currently not interested in showing
which can change.
The OP is planning on fun rides but has a demanding job - which could translate into training rides for the trainer when life gets in the way.
the OP could send business her way: yep X really helped me getting back in the saddle, and finding Dobbins. Nice lesson program.

Now it’s gonna be /shrug, not much coming from X unless you are looking into showing.
A concise ‘hey, I think it’s time we see other people’ would be more professional IMO

[mmeqcenter]

@EndorRider

I have been a pretty regular client taking lessons twice a week for a year+. BUT, I am not interested in showing and she is definitely into shows.

Some trainers prefer casual clients, some prefer actively competitive clients. That’s perfectly fine, they can and should set up their program how they want, but they should be professional enough to have a discussion with a client they don’t feel fits their program. IMO, this trainer is not interested in keeping you as a client, and you should look for a new trainer. Your budget is more than double what you need for your list of requirements for a horse (in many locations), even in this crazy market.

[hoopoe]

Brenda Jane puts it well. Where so many trainers fail is that they sew negative seeds and forget that todays casual rider may be tomorrows hot rider… and they missed that bus.

Plus , more than likely than not, behavior like that will get talked about and so the behavior earns interest, so to speak.

I am sure our OP will be honorable and not burn the current trainer, but I bet if someone asks her about references , current trainer might not be on the recommend list

[PamnReba]

There are some sales coming up with awesome western-broke ranch style horses that I would LOVE to have five figures to throw at! I absolutely would (and have) buy sight-unseen based off sales ad and videos, and several of these sales are geared specifically for remote bidders - up to and including one where each horse is evaluated under saddle by the sales staff before being allowed to enter, and having vets on site to draw blood and run PPE’s.

You peruse the catalogue, bid on the ones that make your heart flutter, ship the one you win home (they usually have options for that available as well), and if you don’t like it, you can always sell it. Sounds like there’s a market for resale there as well if it’s not a good fit for you personally.

[Spudsmyguy]

My friend bought a Kentucky Mtn Gaited horse sight unseen off an internet ad; she’s in WA and horse was in Kentucky. However, she did do her due diligence and watched a lot of videos of the horse and researched the breeder. This horse is one of the cutest, sweetest, and well broke young horses and she is over the moon in love with her.

[BrendaJane]

wellm this is not something the OP wishes to do per her opening post.

[atlatl]

From your wish list, I’d recommend finding a quarter horse. See if there are any AQHA trainers in your area and call them directly.

Good luck!

[Ruth0552]

Well, I’m in Central MA and I think your budget should buy you more than what you are looking for. I see horses similar to what you want for sale frequently between 5-15K. 2 years ago they would have been cheaper! The problem is that there are NO horses for sale in NE so they get sold FAST. If you spend 40K on a smaller, middle aged horse that needs maintenance and is relatively safe for trails and flat work, I’d say you are getting ripped off. I mean, that’s just ridiculous.

I do know a woman who bought basically this horse from somewhere south of us and the horse is exactly as described and she trail rides him EVERYWHERE. If you want I can find out who she bought him from. She did not try him first- just had him shipped up. You should put your own ISO ad up on AREA 1 USEA group on Facebook. I’ve also heard decent things about Pond Hill Ranch in Vermont. It’s huge, for New England, and they usually have a lot for sale, and are honest. At least that’s what I’ve heard- it’s not my personal experience.

[Ruth0552]

Oh, you could also try Hemphill’s in Maine. They usually have a bunch of decent all-around types that aren’t super fancy show horses. But safe and reasonably priced.

You could also try calling Patty and Joe Forest at Horton’s Farm in Grantham NH. They aren’t a sale barn but run a top-notch training business and might know of something appropriate for sale.

[TheDBYC]

Something we just discovered personally: check out the USEA Facebook group for your Zone. Possibly the adjacent ones if they’re within the distance you’re willing to travel.

[Casey09]

Personally, I would find a barn that has a lesson program and try it out.
If your trainer is so busy she can’t go see the horses you do find in your area, then honestly I don’t think she’s much use if you want to buy a horse locally. I’m in an area in my discipline where there isn’t that much that is for sale. You really need a trainer that has a lot of contacts to find something by word of mouth and you have to be able to act quickly. In your situation I don’t think you’re going to find something locally with this trainer.
You could definitely go look yourself if you’re comfortable with it. Personally I like a trainer to go to ride the horse before me because I’m a chicken.
Even if you did that, I’d question if maybe this trainer really prefers clients that show. There’s nothing wrong with that as a business model, but I find that a lot of trainers are not very up front about that - which is a shame. It would be easier if people were more willing to just say that they have a different focus.

[IronwoodFarm]

I apologize this if I missed something, but how is the trainer being compensated for her work as a buyer’s agent? Hourly rate, day rate, fixed fee, commission? Some combination? I sure hope the OP is not thinking that the trainer/agent should be working for free and only get paid when a horse is found.

I sell a specific breed that is in demand. I am a breeder and I take consignments. I absolutely refuse to be a buyer’s agent. The reason is simple – the market is national, there is travel involved, and you have to move like the wind to get the kind of horse this OP wants. I promise you that there are no secret stashes of trained horses that I know about. There are horses that will come on the market and get sold quickly…like within days. I admit there is some internal sales among breeders and multi horse owners, but it is almost always related breeding animals and not necessarily performance animals.

So expecting a trainer/agent to post ISO ads, screen replies and go out an visit numerous horses is not realistic IMO unless you are paying a nice premium for her time. If I were the OP, I would take matters in my own hands. Post your own ISO, go out and see horses. Make videos of your rides, so she can give you feedback. Be willing to put a deposit down on a suitable horse pending trainer approval and a PPE. The contingencies should be within a short period of time as the seller will not want the horse to be tied up. And be sure you arrange up front with your trainer/agent what you will pay for whatever services she offers.

And do recognize that your trainer does have other sources of income that are more lucrative than what you offer. She IS going to make more money off clients who want to show frequently. It is difficult to earn a living with a horse business. So don’t be surprised if your trainer does not prioriize the bigger spenders.

[PamnReba]

And since that is working so swimmingly for her (the buying without meeting first), maybe she needs to rethink that? Realize that it might actually be a viable option as posted by others?

[BrendaJane]

How would I know?
I mean, I know what the OP stated. She is the one shopping and knows what she is comfortable with.
Why the belated snark? For all we know she is at this point trainer shopping prior to resuming the horse chase.

Those are her perimeters, not mine.