this is why I have a horse buying contract. Before any services are rendered, the expectations and fees are spelled out so both parties are aware of who is responsible for what, and what the compensation will be for commission, travel, day fees, etc.
I do have two structures: a “consult only fee” which is usually a flat rate depending on services needed, and the Full Service Horse Search which earns a commission.
Considering you’ve helped her in the past and didn’t charge her for trailering her horse or charging for your time/expertise, I would be disappointed as well. Pay what you think is fair (10%…really?) and expect her to pay you for your services if she needs help in the future.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…
I believe in order for your realtor friend to be paid a commission you would’ve had to sign a listing agreement. If you did not sign any agreement I’m not sure how they could require you pay a commission. Real estate is federally and state regulated.
You hadn’t employed the trainer to find you a new horse, neither was the trainer actively looking for horses for you to try or look at, if you had then the trainer would get a commission. This seems to be a case where you asked your trainer/friend for an opinion on the horse but additionally got suggestions on insurance, shipper etc… Have a talk with your trainer and explain that you were merely asking for their opinion(s) so you don’t feel they are due a commission since they weren’t actively looking for a horse for you (or were they?). If necessary, remind them of all the favors you have done for them hauling etc. without compensation. That said, expect trainer to be a bit out of sorts if they were banking on a nice commission, you might offer something but I wouldn’t expect a full commission for offering suggestions on which insurance or shipper to use.
At present, I have a trainer asking me for 10% on a horse that they didn’t even watch the video on, so at least in OP’s case, the trainer did that much. 
Perfect example in this thread of how the industry has a standard that other industries do not.
My triathlon trainer would never charge me 10% because I found a new tri bike and he is my coach. That would just never happen, even if he helped me find it (unless he owns/works at the bike shop, in which case the commission is built into the price.)
Did your trainer do anything to support the 10% commission at all, or are you just obligated to pay because you are their client (e.g. “they own you?”)
At present, I have a trainer asking me for 10% on a horse that they didn’t even watch the video on, so at least in OP’s case, the trainer did that much.
that bridge in New York has already been sold up stream in the thread
Once again…written contract or get an attorney. Yes some verbal contracts are enforceable but once it gets to he said she said of interpretation of the perimeters of the agreement (if there was one) enforce become questionable.
This horse industry is starting to make used car salesmen look good
You aren’t kidding the amount of hidden fees/nickel and diming that goes on is astronomical. In the past we have definitely moved barns over it and we’re not cost sensitive clients at all. It’s more about us just expecting honesty and transparency for what we are paying for and getting that service in return. If you can’t even be up front about costs what else are you being shady about.
Glad we are at currently a barn with an upfront/reasonable owner.
I know I’ve been at barns with unreasonable owners.
2Dogs trots out her wellworn soapbox…
Trainer Friend - only one in H/Jland I ever met with no agenda - once told me:
“You enable the trainer”
Can I get an Amen?
Current Dressage trainer is of the same mind.
So they exist, but as client you need to be informed & proactive.
The latter.
Not to unwrap all of my barn drama , but long story short: assistant trainer (who did watch the video and liked horse) has my back and told main trainer that they did nothing to facilitate the sale and thus she felt uncomfortable asking for a commission. TBD if head trainer decides to keep pushing. Keep in mind, I’ve bought/sold two much cheaper horses already this year with no commissions involved–head trainer only wants their cut when its deemed financially beneficial. (And for the record, I have no qualms on paying it when it’s due, as I did earlier this year on a mid-five figure deal.)
I had a pretty major falling out many years ago with a trainer over a 10% dispute when selling my horse - he had not found the buyer or facilitated any part of the sale (the horse lived with me). I don’t think that he liked that I said we’d call it even since I did not get my 10% when I connected him with the buyer for his well-into-the-6-figures horse. I guess favors are only a 1-way street with some trainers: when it comes from the client, it’s a favor - but never the other way around 
DH tells me nearly daily that he doesn’t understand why there isn’t a reality show about all this drama
ETA: I think if he were still alive today, the same trainer and I would probably laugh over the whole thing now. I wish we could have done that.
Well, to be fair bikes can be returned and generally have a manufacturer’s warranty. Horses have nothing like this. Also, you don’t have to worry about your bike being lame, taking off with you, having potential gait issues, undisclosed issues on examination, etc…
I don’t have an issue paying some type of commision if the trainer actually does the job and helps close the deal. A trainer can help make decisions for you, like, “Is this bone chip something I should worry about? If not, how much does it impact price? Is a little arthritis in the coffin at age 9 a deal breaker? This lead change isn’t finished - how long will it take to complete it?”
The bone chip likely means the horse won’t be insurable on that leg. You need to consider if you are okay with that.
Arthritis will take maintenance. You can factor that into your price (and $10,000 may save you $$ in the long run depending on the finding).
A lead change? You might be okay with it, your trainer may find the horse is changing incorrectly and needs to be retrained (could take a year to fix that one if you have to fix a front to back to back to front). So, you have to calculate the cost of training into that equation if you can’t fix it yourself.
A trainer can help you factor in the findings and come to a decision. Sure, some may not need that, and it’s not foolproof, but a trainer can at least help ensure you’re getting something close to what you expect and that you’re protecting your investement.
I have never, persoanlly, had such issues with a bike (or a car, or a house). Not even my Orbea Onix (and that was a nice bike!).
Well, to be fair - I’m talking about customizable bikes - new or used…my last bike cost about the amount of my last horse, and my next bike will be more expensive than my most valuable horse. Not that it is saying a lot since none of my horses are particularly valuable…but I’m not really talking issues that are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. There are a lot of similar questions when considering a new racing bike regarding size, suitability, ability to improve your previous performance, whether it will keep pace with your race goals, maintenance requirements, brand reliability, etc.
It is just not the standard expectation that asking my trainer to weigh in on a purchase would result in a payment to him. That said - if I asked him to look for a used bike on my behalf (and potentially negotiate the price) - I would absolutely pay him for that…whether a commission or an hourly price.
However, in the case of my trainer, and many other trainers - I pay a monthly training fee. Presumably, that fee takes into account lots of things that don’t strictly fall into a “workout” or other easily defined thing. Most of the riding trainers I know or have worked with charge by the lesson only (and/or charge board + lesson + whatever else…). So in that case - the are not reimbursed in any way for conversations about suitability, availability of other horses, etc.
I don’t have an issue paying some type of commission if the trainer actually does the job and helps close the deal.
I agree 100%. I just object to that being an undiscussed amount. And in the case of this situation, the trainer should have made it clear when “conversations with a friend” turned into a “now I’m working so you will have to pay me.”
Dear hunter rider,
I am a trainer myself and even though I was not present when the “deal” was made, I think it’s irrelevant.
Because of issues like this throughout my career, I have written out a contract to be signed by any person that starts looking for a horse with me or asks for my professional opinion on one.
The main problem arises from the fact that this industry calls for “friendships” between clients and professionals. It is a VERY difficult thing to handle.
Clients believe that because we love what we do, we should do it for free.
I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars and I am still spending in expanding my knowledge on a daily basis. It is very broad and it even goes as far as psychological events.
Maybe it would be in order to have every single person that sets foot in our barn to have them sign the pre- agreement even when they haven’t taken the first lesson. I say this, because many times there are purchases that we are involved in that we were not officially hired to do but yet we are involved and by that time there is also a “friendship”
I bet you didn’t complain when free services where handed to you since she is you “friend”. You probably didn’t even realize because you don’t value it. We tend not to value things that we do not pay for.
One more thing, some purchases are as easy as making the deal over the phone and not having to even look at the horse, and some go for months… they all cost the same 10% with a minimum Ofcourse.
I hope you can take these comments constructively and I wish there were guidelines and laws that protected us trainers so that we do not get badmouthed when we try to get paid for our very valuable services.
Very truly, thammy
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