Success Stories of Sending a Green Horse to Distant Trainer for Full Training?

[equest]

I am in an area where it seems no options exist for full training, both that I can afford and that meets my needs and expectations for training and care. My horse is a quite green, especially adjusting to the show arena as a OTTB and I am struggling to find a program in my area. It’s a combination of issues in my local area. Good barns are few, either too far and / or priced too high, some only do rated shows where my budget requires a mix of unrated and rated, facilities/turnout are not satisfactory and most importantly I don’t have confidence with the barn trainer’s ability with a greenie.

There is a trainer I have worked with at a couple shows when another trainer I had been with had a conflict. I really like this trainer, trust his staff and have observed good success with the trainer’s clients who include green OTTBs as wel.

However, I know it will be a limited time thing for me as the barn is a couple hours away and I would basically be turning my horse over to the trainer for a few months. Because of my limited options in my immediate area, I am thinking that the trainer could work with and put some miles on my horse over maybe a three- four month period. With the distance, I could make trips to see and ride the horse about 3 -4 times a month. Then, once my horse has more training, I could find a more local facility and trainer.

Any similar experiences, cautions or success stories that you can share would be most appreciated.

[NaturallyHappy]

So…admittedly I am jaded. Can you take some time and go visit the barn? I’m not sure meeting someone at shows is enough to be able to develop a trust fit full-time, out of sight care.

[clanter]

the only horse we had in training was a long yearling that was placed in training in Kentucky. The training farm was 950 miles from us.

I met with the trainer often to map out what was to be done next

Worked well for the horse as she continued to develop becoming a very desired horse. We had multiple purchase offers, one after she won a regional championship in very competitive region was actually why we brought her home.

She spent the next twenty five years here at home but still campaigned nationally

[StormyDay]

That’s pretty common. I know people who go and ride their horse Saturday, spend the night in a hotel and ride Sunday and then go home. My only suggestion is to talk to the trainer about what they think a realistic goal is with 4 months of training so you’re both on the same page.

[equest]

Thanks ! I actually have visited the barn before and would make another visit before signing a board and training agreement

[Critter]

I have had 3 of my young horses started by a trainer several states away (I am in NJ and trainer is in KY). First horse I needed started under saddle I sent locally…it was a bit of a disaster. I pulled him and brought him home…and then went oh crap, now I have a poorly started young horse and no one I trust nearby to send him to who can also fix the issues that were created. The breeder (not in KY, but one state over) had used a young horse trainer and highly recommended them. The breeder was not the type of person to give high praise easily. I am not sure I would have sent a horse that far to someone I never met had I not been a bit desperate!

I will say that I got video updates 2-3 times a week (sometimes more). They weren’t always long and sometimes were just fun videos…but it allowed me to see my horse was happy and in good health. I also usually talked on the phone 1-2 times a week with trainer.

Trainer in KY is starting my current 3yo (who I left grow up out there)…again, I still get routine videos/pics and phones calls a few times a week. I also try not to micromanage anything with the horse…they do all the management in the way they want…I make sure all bills are paid on time. I don’t dictate the feed or turnout (other than they know that I prefer as much turnout as possible, which fortunately they do!). I pay for extra stuff needed, like fly spray and equispot.

[2DogsFarm]

Not for showring training, but I sent my 2yo halterbroke mini to a young Amish guy my Faux Grandson had done business with - selling, buying & training Hackney Ponies - to be broken to drive.
He was a 2h drive away.
Mini went there in October for 60 days, but weather got bad so fast driving there was not an option.
I didn’t see mini until April when I went to drive him for the first time.
I went out in a cart so small it barely fit me (5’2", 150#) & the guy’s 13yo son. His teen kids had done a lot of the training & I got back a well-trained Driving mini.
That was 8yrs ago & no training except by myself since.
While my show career has been minimal, due to my lack of interest. we’ve done well when we do go.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

I’ve had great experiences sending horses to boot camp…annnnnnd not so great experiences. My best advice is to level set that you would like weekly videos and a check in weekly with trainer on progress. Make trips there and schedule some times to make sure you can observe training and then sometimes just show up (to drop off carrots, “forget something”, whatever).
If you don’t have many options locally, then this sounds like your best bet. 3-6 months in the grand scheme of things isn’t that long.

[Zlotych]

Can you ask for references from other clients of this trainer? Vets, Farriers etc.
If you find good reviews from people you trust, that may help you to decide.

[anonevent]

I would have to talk frankly with multiple people who have had horses in their program, who I consider to be good judges of horsemanship.

I do send my horses away for training for a few months every year, but I know the trainer well and have boarded with them as a local as well. Even so, I still worry the whole time It’s hard to not have them nearby.

[Inimitable]

I did this last summer with my 5 yo TB mare for very, very similar reasons. I sent her ~3 hours away to get started because there are no programs in my area that ticked all of my boxes (ie. if I trusted the trainer, the facility was a death trap; or if the facility was nice, the trainer was a kook). So off she went! Zero regrets. I was only able to visit her every few weeks and didn’t sit on her until the day I brought her home. I think I visited her 3 times over 3 months? It was hard at first, but I knew she was in great hands and the horse I got back was 100% worth the separation anxiety.

[red_mares]

I haven’t had horse local, within 30 miles, in forever. Any trainer I’ve had has been at least a 100 miles away. I’ve kept them as far as 500 miles away, but they were local to my parents then. I go down on weekends. I used to work from the barn one day a week, but my schedule & work load won’t let me now.

I really don’t worry about them. I’m not a worry wart in general and if I had something to worry about, they’d move.