I saw one someone’s website recently that they charged a fixed rate for reviewing videos of horses clients found and going to try horses with clients. They didn’t publish what those charges were. This was new to me and not something I’ve experienced before. Those who have worked with trainers with this policy, what sort of rates do they charge?
At least what they charge for a lesson, often 10-15% of purchase price. It’s for their time and expertise they’ve gathered over the years…their services should never be expected for free if they are making their living as a pro horse person.
2 Likes
Thanks!
I’m not trying to say that I disagree with the practice, of course they have to make a living. I’ve just only ever paid commissions so when I was looking at some websites helping a friend find some boarding options in her new area, I saw something on a website that mentioned the charges. It wasn’t a structure I’d seen before, so I was just curious is all and wondering how that was customarily broken down. No criticism at all, just curiosity. 
1 Like
I’ve never seen a fixed rate, unless there’s a minimum number (i.e. it’s $500 if the horse is any value less than 5k). All of my trainers have had a minimum fee for horse shopping, then if the horse is over a certain value they charge a percentage.
If the case that the trainer is working with lower priced horses, a fee per video reviewed or horse visited might be more fair, especially in the case of super enthusiastic clients who email a link of every horse listed in their price range and/or want to go see and ride everything within a day’s drive
2 Likes
all that is why it is important to have a contract outlining the specifics so that there are no surprises when a purchase is made. As a buyer, if I was paying per video and per shopping trip, I’m not so sure I’d be too keen on also paying the industry average of 10-15% commission- isn’t that how they earn their commission - by helping a buyer find a horse?
1 Like
[QUOTE=gottagrey;n9884591]
all that is why it is important to have a contract outlining the specifics so that there are no surprises when a purchase is made. As a buyer, if I was paying per video and per shopping trip, I’m not so sure I’d be too keen on also paying the industry average of 10-15% commission- isn’t that how they earn their commission - by helping buyer screen prospects and then looking at them (within in reason)
I have done this (though, as an eventer who kept my horses at home), it was in lieu of commission and charged like a lesson plus travel, so basically an hourly lesson rate.
It works well in circumstances where commission doesn’t exactly suit–really inexpensive horses, or an opportunity to buy (or not) one specific horse but not necessarily a commitment to buy one this year, etc.
The one’s I’ve seen give the buyer credit towards the commission. Here’s one example from a BNT: http://www.archiecox.com/training.html
My trainer’s policy is that once she’s looked at one video, you’re going to pay a (10%) commission.
I think a day rate for travel etc. is perfectly acceptable. A full 10 or 15% commission on the purchase of a horse that the prospective buyer has already found. No way.
1 Like
It really depends on the horse, how far it is, and the price.
Do I have to ride it before the client gets on it? I charge for that.
Do I have to miss half a day of lessons and training to go look at it? I charge a day rate for that (Basically the same as I would charge to travel to a local show for the day).
Do I charge for watching videos and looking at pics? No. That to me falls into the “nickel and diming” category, and I try not to do that to clients
Is the client going to keep the horse in training, in my barn, and take 2 lessons a week? If so, I might charge a little less, since they will be spending a ton on my services. I try to make this my policy particularly when the client is spending the very top of their budget on a horse that I approve, and will be charging them monthly board and training for.
1 Like
My client’s pay me for my time not a commission. They do most of the leg work and just get me out once they think they are close to a suitable horse. I don’t charge to watch videos though.
Every trainer will have a different idea of what is fair, so it is important to discuss beforehand.
2 Likes
I have paid a general 10% commission. My trainer does not charge per video, horse’s tried, and often undercharges me in my opinion. When we have flown to look at horses I pay her way. When we drove to look at a horse, and she brought a long a horse for the trainer we were going to to try, she did not charge anything for travel. Otherwise I usually drive while she is doing paperwork in the truck.
There is a lot she considers part of the commission - even includes hauling the horse home and to and from vet checks. Granted, the longest haul has been 3 hour, but that was the entire day. But, I am a long term client that often has multiple horse’s in her barn. I do think that makes a difference.
1 Like
Thanks everyone!
I agree. Trainer has to do more than look at a video to earn the commission. They have to find the horse, coordinate the visit to try horse, arrange for trial at barn, negotiate purchase price if moving forward, arrange vet check, etc,. If I do all he work, I am not paying a commission. A per diem rate for traveling to try said horse is appropriate.
IME, charging by the video viewed or trip to look at one is in lieu of commission and not rare in barns dealing primarily in lower price range horses within a reasonable drive. Like…a 10% commission on a 3k horse a trainer spent 2 hours looking at videos and 6 hours physically looking at possibles doesn’t equal 8 hours of lessons and schooling income. So many of those trainers price a la carte per service usually based on their per hour lesson rates, when evaluating horses for their clients instead of flat rate commission like those dealing in 10k on up horses.
And, as mentioned, asking trainer to give a Pro evaluation on a few videos is one thing, 20 a week for a month or more is worthy of getting compensation for.
2 Likes
A trainer might have a rate sheet of what they charge but a client can still (and should) request a written contract where all the terms can be negotiated and agreed upon. If I were a trainer I might have a clause in the contract where the fee is a % commission and includes so many video viewings and outings within X proximity, anything exceeding will be charge X rate in addition to commission. It’s hard to make blanket statements and agreements because clients all have different needs and requirements not to mention budgets.
In my case trainer did more than watch videos I sent her. She actually found the horse, did the driving (on a rainy Friday afternoon in LA) to see one horse while I did the other drive, provided snacks, videoed, arranged for trial and vet check, came to vet check, and negotiated price. Her luck that it happened to be one of two horses we looked at. It’s just that looking at the video is the point at which you’ve entered into an agreement, and she made that clear.
I understand why trainers might want to charge per service and then take it off the commission. One friend spent hours looking at horses, working with the vet, discussing the vet check, etc., and then the client got snagged by another trainer and didn’t buy the horse. I also feel that if a trainer has driven all over creation to look at horses with you, watched videos, and then the horse you happen to buy is one you found, you still owe them whatever their standard fee is. Maybe that’s a fee by service. Maybe it’s a commission, esp if they go to look at the horse with you, help with the purchase, etc.
Here is an anecdote to consider. When I was a young adult, I was looking for a 3’ hunter. I did all the leg work. Found a horse. Traveled out of state to try the horse. Arranged for a 3-day trial and vetting at my personal farm with the owner of the horse. Horse was a mid five figure horse.
Trainer I shipped into for bi-monthly lessons at the time heard I had a horse on trial with a third party and offered to sit on the mare. Thinking this was a courtesy gesture, I said “sure”. Trainer comes to my farm, sits on horse, and then informs me I owe her a 10% commission if I purchase said horse.
If you involve a trainer in any way with the purchase (or sale) of a horse, be prepared to pay a commission. It is just the way the industry works.
