Switching trainers, would love advice

[VelvetsAB]

Snowrider–They are maxed out at 2’9". Horse has been winning champion and reserve champions in a majority of classes, so I doubt he Dobbin has soundness issues. That’s assuming, of course, but…

I’ve learned rollbacks on an older horse, who had his hocks injected for comfort. We just didn’t make them as tight, and the exercise was to make them smooth, not quick and chopped off. It can be done. The exercise just needs to be adjusted to the horse and rider. Would my coach have done that same exercise with the same horse, with another rider? Maybe not. Or maybe she would have adjusted it more to be more like jumps on a circle.

[Jersey_Fresh]

Leave.

I was in this situation except it also involve my horse being unhappy.
I didn’t realize how much she affected my self confidence until I left. I wish I left months before because my horse was thin and he knew she hated him. My vet came by the other day and made a comment about how thin he was when I left ex trainer. When I expressed my concern over his weight, my ex trainer told me he couldn’t have a turn out buddy (he fence walked for hours) and refused to do anything.

I was at my barn for almost 8 years. Yes it was hard to leave but what I have now is so much better. I wish I left sooner.

In my case I switched disciplines and my trainer lost interest in me. I tried to keep riding with her but my lessons were pointless and not helping us. My last straw was when I gave her a list of 4 goals I wanted work towards over the winter and she told me she didn’t think I could do it. So I asked her to still work towards them. The first lesson after that was amazing. I worked really hard and I felt like “wow! If this keeps up, Ill be golden when show season starts”.

Next lesson we were back to zero effort. That was when I told her I just wanted to board not ride with her anymore. Moved my horse about 3 months later and I couldn’t be happier.

Best part of the whole thing? My new trainer helped me meet all of those goals AND confidently jump around training in the 6 months since I moved. Ad my horse is fat and happy. He LOVES my trainer because she likes him.

Life’s too short. Time for a new trainer.

[Alter3]

Again, I can’t thank you all enough for your thoughtful and helpful responses! You’ve given me a lot to think about. Interestingly enough, I am at an away horse show right now and last night we all went to dinner after the show. Once most people went home, trainer and I decided to have a drink at the bar and ironically the conversation just unfolded!

We started taking about how the show had gone and how happy she was with how far my horse and I have come since we started training with her. Without my prompting, she told me that she worries about keeping him comfortable - he’s getting older, has some hock issues, and has kissing spines which all require a LOT of maintenance to keep him going.

This was an easy way for me to bring up the question about our lessons. I innocently asked if that was why our lessons had become so simple and told her I wasn’t feeling challenged. She said that because my horse has become such a packer, there is no point in drilling/challenging him or his body. She told me I was ready to move up, but at this point I just need to have fun doing easy stuff with my guy until I can buy another horse.

We both agreed that this is my last year showing my horse until he’ll need to be retired and she said she just wants me to have fun with him. I told her that I felt like I wasn’t being challenged anymore and she surprisingly offered to let me start riding one of her pre-green horses in lessons.

I’m SO glad the conversation unfolded the way it did and I feel like at the very least, I should stick it out another year and see how things go. And I’m relieved to have gotten some answers and like a lot of you said, I really think she’s just kind of bored/frustrated with us because we can’t do a whole lot more than we’re already doing!

I’m excited to start riding a new horse, and I suspect that our lessons will freshen up now that she can actually teach me some new things! So that’s where we are! Thanks again you guys - and if this still ends up not working out, you’ve given me such amazing advice if/when I decide to make a switch

[Foxglove6]

I love updates like this!

[fordtraktor]

Yay! I am so glad that you two have a plan! Enjoy riding the new horse and having a blast with your old guy!

[541hunter]

Hooray OP! I’ve been watching this thread with interest and I’m so glad you had a chance to talk to your trainer. Sometimes a good chat (with glass in hand!! :winkgrin:) solves a wealth of issues.

Hopefully the lessons improve from now on, and I suspect that now the line of communication has been re-opened it’ll be easier to revisit the conversation as you go.

[SweetTalk]

So glad you had an honest, adult conversation before running for the hills. Sounds like things are back on track!

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=SweetTalk;8888424]
So glad you had an honest, adult conversation before running for the hills. Sounds like things are back on track![/QUOTE]
Yes! Glad you talked to her.

[HorseLuvr]

Sounds like you have a great trainer, she cares about the horse and wants you to progress. Kudos for you talking with her and getting the on the same page!