Horse training is a booming business, particularly in areas where equestrian sports are popular. Many of the owners of champion performance horses are not advanced riders themselves, and require a horse trainer to prep their stock for show. If you’re planning to hire a horse trainer, you’ll need to know how much you should pay.
First of all, horse training is as diverse as it is popular, so you’re going to find all kinds of different price structures. Some horse trainers charge by the hour, while others charge by the month for a set number of rides. You’ll also find that some tack on extra fees, such as cooling your horse out after a training ride or an equipment fee for using the trainer’s tack.
Before you decide how much you should pay for horse training, conduct a survey of popular trainers in your area. For example, in Houston, horse training usually costs between $300 and $800 per month, while horse training in Kentucky is much less (rarely more than $200 per month). In addition to geographical locale, it will also depend on the age and breed of your horse. Many trainers will charge more for a young Arabian than for a seasoned Quarter Horse.
You will probably be asked to sign a horse training contract that includes the price and any additional fees. Ask to see that contract before you decide on a trainer and have your attorney look it over. As with any business, there are unscrupulous horse trainers who will try and bury hidden fees in complex legal jargon.
It is also important not to be talked into training you don’t need. For example, if your horse has been giving you trouble with tossing his head at the canter, you might want to have a trainer work with him. This small problem doesn’t require two months of training, however; I would agree to no more than three or four rides. You’ll get the same results paying $40 per ride as you will paying $400 per month, so don’t waste your money.
In most cases, you’ll be expected to pay for horse training in advance, which means making the assumption that the trainer knows what he or she is doing. This is why I recommend finding a referral from a friend who has used the trainer before. Most will not give you a refund even if you are unsatisfied with the work, so again, don’t throw your money down the proverbial drain.
If you are going to pay for horse training from someone you don’t know and don’t have a referral for, my best advice is to pay for one or two rides, and watch both sessions. Pay attention to how the horse trainer works and whether or not your horse is responding. It is possible that even a qualified, experienced trainer won’t work out simply because his or her personality doesn’t mesh with your horse.
Tipping is not expected when you pay for horse training and you shouldn’t allow yourself to be talked into other services unless they’re something you want. For example, many horse trainers make extra cash by offering to bathe your horse after training. This isn’t necessary and too many baths can dry out your horse’s skin, so be wary of these sales tactics.
Horse training is a great way to get your horse in shape and teach him new things when you don’t have the time or ability. Just make sure you’re not paying too much for horse training and that your horse is well taken care of.
