Hiring a horse trainer can be a daunting process. You don’t want to hire someone who won’t put in the time and effort necessary for your horse, but you also don’t want to waste your money hiring someone who is going to leave after a few weeks. Read on for our 7 tips for hiring a trainer and training your horse from the ground up!
Research potential trainers
Finding the right trainer is a bit like finding the right horse. You want to find someone who is compatible with your horse, has an aptitude for training, and has the experience to get the job done right. Start researching trainers by doing some legwork on their social media accounts.
Find some trainer’s Facebook page and see what you can learn. You might also check with your local horse community to see if any trainers live near you. Ask your friends and family who they know who are trainers that would be a good fit for you and your horse.
Always ask to see a trainer’s training program and credentials
After you have narrowed down your list of potential trainers, take the time to actually meet with each one in person. If you can meet a potential trainer for an informational interview (an “in-person” interview is better than an “online” interview) that is even better. Find a time when you and the trainer can meet somewhere other than the trainer’s training facility.
If the trainer has a website, take the time to look at the information on the site. If you aren’t sure how to do this, see here. Ask the trainer if you can get a copy of their training program, credentials, and any other information that you may need to make your decision.
Speak with the trainer in person before you hire them
Now that you have researched potential trainers and their credentials, you need to meet with some of them in person. This will help you feel out the trainer and their facility. You might ask for a tour of their facility, ask to see the training program or credentials, and even try to meet with their students. These visits will also give you a chance to assess the trainer’s personality and their ability to communicate with you.
Don’t hire a trainer if they are taking your money and have not provided any services
During your in-person meet-and-greet with a potential trainer, make sure you understand what services they are providing. Ask the trainer exactly what they will be doing while they are working with your horse. Don’t hire a trainer who says they are going to “train you to ride your horse.” That is training, but that doesn’t mean it is what you need. Make sure the trainer is clear on exactly what they will be doing.
Look for trainers who are certified by an organization that has a good reputations
When you are looking for a trainer, you may see that the trainer has certifications from various organizations, but is not certified by a “good reputation” organization like the American Association of Professional Trainers. A good organization to see on a trainer’s resume will be Equine Canada, American Association of Professional Trainers, or the North American Training Association. These organizations have a good reputation for certifying trainers who have demonstrated experience and success.
Ask about past client references
You may be tempted to only look at the certifications of a trainer on a resume, but that isn’t enough. A trainer’s past clients can be a good way to gauge their ability. Find a couple of past clients and ask them what they liked about working with the trainer and what they didn’t like. If you find a couple of past clients that were happy with the trainer’s work, that is a good sign.
Ask if the trainer offers other types of training or services for your horse
You may notice that some trainers specialize in one particular discipline (e.g. dressage, show jumping, eventing, barrels, trail riding), but a good trainer will also have experience in other disciplines (e.g. western, trail riding, roping, team roping, driving). If a trainer only offers one discipline, have them tell you why they have chosen that discipline to specialise in and what experience they have in other disciplines as well.
Conclusion
We hope these tips will help you find a horse trainer that is a good match for your horse and your lifestyle. Hiring a trainer can be a rewarding experience if you hire someone who is experienced and committed to helping your horse reach its full potential. Make sure you research the trainer and their credentials, speak with the trainer in person before you hire them, don’t hire a trainer if they are taking your money and have not provided any services.
Look for trainers who are certified by an organization that has a good reputations, and don’t forget to ask if the trainer offers other types of training or services for your horse. The best part is that it doesn’t take long to get started with training! With the right plan, you and your horse can get started right away.
