FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have a Question? Here’s an Answer
HOW MANY HORSES DO YOU TRAIN AT A TIME?
The horse training industry is like Ford vs Ferrari. In other words, a lot of horse trainers are volume based vs quality based. I do not train horses on a production line. A horse is an animal that requires a lot of time to train well, and quick fixes on a horse only last as long as it takes for someone to put it on them. I train for quality over quantity, so I only train a limited number of horses at a time.
HOW LONG WILL YOU WORK WITH MY HORSE?
I typically dedicate 2 1/2 hours to a horse per day. Half an hour is spent saddling, unsaddling, grooming and towards just the general well-being of the horse. Two hours are dedicated to training. Generally, I do groundwork for 45 minutes to an hour, and then I ride for 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes.
HOW MUCH DOES TRAINING COST FOR 6 WEEKS?
Training costs $1,600 for 6 weeks and $5/day for board. A $200 non-refundable deposit is required upon signing up and will be applied to the training fee.
WHAT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS DOES MY HORSE NEED BEFORE ARRIVING FOR TRAINING?
Your horse will need proof of a current negative Coggins.
DOES MY HORSE NEED SHOES?
No, but I do prefer horses to arrive with their feet trimmed.
WHAT IF I CAN’T GET MY HORSE TRIMMED?
I understand that because of limited handling or a horse’s habit of kicking, etc., that not all horses will be able to have their feet at least trimmed before arriving for their training session. If you are unable to have your horse trimmed before he arrives, I will be happy to ensure your horse’s feet are taken care of. Trimming costs $75 and will be added to your bill.
DO I NEED TO PROVIDE ANY EQUIPMENT FOR MY HORSE?
No. I have all the equipment I need to train your horse.
WHEN DOES MY HORSE ARRIVE FOR TRAINING?
I will schedule a designated arrival date for your horse that will be about two or three days before the start of the training session. I like to have a horse arrive at least a day before the training session begins so that the horse can adjust to his new environment. You will be contacted after you enroll your horse for training by filling out the enrollment application and paying a nonrefundable $200 deposit.
WHERE WILL MY HORSE STAY WHILE IN TRAINING?
Your horse has his own large 16ft x 80ft run allowing him plenty of room to move around. The run is maintained daily with an automatic waterer.
WHAT WILL MY HORSE BE FED?
Your horse will be fed free-choice, high quality alfalfa and grass hay. Starting after the second week of training, or when the horse is doing well mentally – he’s not hot or nervous, he will receive grain twice daily. I will safely incorporate grain into the horse’s diet. Therefore, there is no need to change your horse’s grain before bringing him for training.
WILL YOU BLANKET AND/OR PUT A FLY MASK ON MY HORSE?
When necessary, I will blanket your horse and provide a fly mask.
WHAT IF MY HORSE BECOMES ILL OR LAME DURING TRAINING?
As a horse owner, you know that illness and lameness are realities when training a horse. I don’t foresee your horse becoming lame or getting injured, and will do everything in my power to ensure that he doesn’t. You can be assured that if your horse does become ill or lame, you will be contacted immediately and the best care possible will be given to him.
If the situation arises in which your horse does become ill or lame and can’t be worked, his time will be extended by two weeks to ensure that he receives his training. While the training fee won’t increase, you will be responsible for paying for additional board and care ($5/day), which I will discuss with you.
WHAT IF MY HORSE NEEDS VETERINARY CARE DURING TRAINING?
If veterinary care is required, I will notify you and see to it that your horse is treated. In the event of an emergency, you will always be contacted, but if I can’t get ahold of you immediately, I will go ahead with care. You will be responsible for covering all veterinary expenses.
WHAT IF MY HORSE DOESN’T PROGRESS AS FAST AS OTHER HORSES?
Each horse will be treated as an individual and progressed at his own rate of learning. With that being said, I can’t guarantee how quickly each horse will learn. The majority of horses will be able to come a long ways in 6 weeks, however, if the horse came with really bad behavior or goes lame and needs time off, it’ll take longer to get him to that level.
If the situation arises in which your horse does experience a learning curve, his time will be extended by two weeks to ensure that he receives his full training. While the training fee won’t increase, you will be responsible for paying for his additional board and care ($5/day).
WILL I BE KEPT UP TO DATE ON MY HORSE’S TRAINING?
Throughout your horse’s training, I will update you on your horse’s progress every two weeks. You’ll receive your first phone call two weeks after the horse has been in training, and then after four weeks you’ll receive another phone call. During this call, I will indicate whether the horse will be ready to complete training in 6 weeks or whether he may need additional time to get to the desired level of performance. If additional training is required, you won’t be billed for the training, but you will be responsible for the extended board ($5/day). Additional training would be necessary if the horse came to me with extreme training issues, has a bad attitude and/or had time off due to lameness or illness.
Other than the phone calls listed above, you will be contacted if your horse becomes ill or gets injured and veterinary attention is needed now or possibly in the future. That means if the horse is injured beyond a basic cut or scrape, you’ll receive a notification call.
Because of my schedule, all phone calls will be by appointment only. Please do not call every other day or stop by the facility on your own accord.
CAN I VISIT MY HORSE DURING THE 6 WEEKS?
No, personal visits are not permitted. I am responsible for training several horses and I am committed to training each horse to the best of my ability and am very focused on achieving my goal. Allowing owners to randomly visit their horses would consume large amounts of my time. You will be kept up to date on your horse’s progress through scheduled telephone calls.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT MY HORSE HAS LEARNED OVER 6 WEEKS OF TRAINING?
Once your horse has successfully completed training, you will be invited to the facility for a day’s lesson with me personally. During this lesson, I will work with you one-on-one, showing you exactly what your horse knows and helping you refine your application of the techniques used to progress your horse. The date of your lesson and when you’ll pick your horse up will be finalized during your horse’s fifth or sixth week of training. (Lesson and pick up dates depend on the horse’s progress and therefore can’t be scheduled until he’s completed his fifth or sixth week of training.)
HOW MUCH TIME WILL I GET WITH THE TRAINER BEFORE I PICK UP MY HORSE?
I will spend an entire day with you ($600 value) to ensure that you thoroughly understand the training that your horse has received. It’s important to me that you understand how to continue your horse’s training at home so you can experience the same level of success and continue to strengthen your partnership with him. On your lesson day, I will work your horse showing you how your horse was trained and all that he knows. You will then get to do groundwork with your horse and ride your horse in an arena while I coach you. Throughout the lesson, you’ll be encouraged to ask me questions, and I will help you refine your understanding of your horse’s training.
CAN I BRING FRIENDS ON THE LESSON DAY OR BRING ANOTHER HORSE?
No. This lesson day is meant for you and your horse in training. It’s not meant to be a social occasion for your friends, or an opportunity for you to bring another horse to receive lessons on. Throughout your horse’s training, you will be kept up to date on his progress, his strengths, his weaknesses, etc. By the time you arrive for your lesson, you will thoroughly understand where he is in his training and what he has gone through. Others who aren’t privy to the horse’s background can be quick to make judgments or jump to conclusions based on what they see during the private lesson. Rather than spending time answering others’ questions or concerns, I would rather concentrate on helping you learn how to work with your horse. Having me at your disposal for an entire day is a great learning opportunity, and I want you to take full advantage of it! I will take you and the horse through everything he has learned from the ground-up.
Still have more questions? Contact me and I’ll be in touch.