I start colts, retrain and tune ups, my passion is making a well rounded versatile ranch horse. My longest standing client is a broker for the guest ranch business, another specializes in trail horses to be marketed back east for sale. I have something for you guys to consider before considering training a older horse....
If you have an older problem/unstarted horse you've got to ask yourself is i
t worth it? Yes I can train then but it will take more time,
And it will take even longer if your horse is disrespectful and has bad habits. A younger horse that has never been trained may take 10 hours a week, where as a older one might take double. (Which I'm sorry to say will cost you more)
So ask yourself is it worth it? My pet peeves:
If you send a horse to me expect to get a well mannered respectful horse back. If you send me a horse BE HONEST if he bucks, bites, kicks, bolts, or rears, because I will find out very quickly and you will be charged accordingly. I make my living from horseback working on cow calf operations and feedlots. I get in on the local ranch rodeos, parades, and playdays in the summers to expose my horses to different things. I have a indoor and plenty of open country to ride. At Smokey Hill my fiancé also offers riding lessons and horsemanship skills. She has spent her most of her life riding performance horses and marketing sale horses. Training/Board Agreement and Release Form
1. Board, and General care: Smokey Hill Horsemanship agrees to provide board and general care for animals covered in this agreement. Shoeing, vet care, administration of dewormer or shots are not part of general care and the owner is responsible for all costs. The horse(s) listed on this agreement will arrive at Smokey Hill Horsemanship premises with a recent shoeing/trim. The owner agrees to pay Smokey Hill Horsemanship for training before training starts. The horse(s) listed on this agreement will arrive at Smokey Hill Horsemanship already dewormed and will have the following vaccinations (and booster shots if required) given prior to their arrival. The vaccinations include the following; flu, rhino, tetanus, eastern and western encephalomyelitis. A Coggins (Equine Infectious Anemia) certificate or Strangles vaccination may be requested if the horse(s) listed are coming from a high-risk area. The horse(s) will arrive with no previous health issues including but not limited to poor body condition or lameness. Smokey Hill Horsemanship reserves the right to refuse any horse(s) that arrive in poor health, poor body condition, lameness or that have not followed the above-mentioned conditions. The horse(s) will be returned immediately to the owner at the owner’s expense. The full training/board fee of $_________ is non-refundable in these circumstances. The owners agree that they have made themselves aware of the facilities and general care given by Smokey Hill Horsemanship and they approve of the same.
2. Training: Theses are guidelines only, as every horse is different and each horse progresses at their own individual rate. Horse training is on a monthly basis for horses that are broke and just need refresher or conditioning or starting under saddle. During the each month your horse will receive groundwork and riding according to the level of training required for each individual horse. Your horse will be refreshed/trained on how to stop, move forward, move to the left or right and back up. They will also learn ground manners, which include standing while tied, being brushed, tacked and untacked. I also recommend asking questions if you have any once your horse has returned home. Your horse will continue to progress if you ride them at home on a regular basis. Smokey Hill Horsemanship agrees to provide humane training methods. Additional Notes To Include: _______________________________________
3. Hauling Horses: Clients who have their horse(s) hauled by Smokey Hill Horsemanship are aware of the risks involved with hauling and have made themselves aware of Smokey Hill Horsemanship’s hauling vehicle and trailer. The undersigned agrees hold harmless and release Horse Basics and Beyond of any liability or responsibility for accident, damage, injury, illness and/or loss of horse(s) stated below.
4. Emergency Care: If the following horse(s) show any signs of illness or lameness during training, transportation, coaching, private riding lessons or boarding; Horse Basics and Beyond agrees to attempt to contact the Owner immediately. If unable to contact the owner within a reasonable time, veterinary care will be arranged (if deemed necessary by Smokey Hill Horsemanship or appointed coverage person) and charges incurred will be the responsibility of the Owner. The owner agrees to provide Smokey Hill Horsemanship and their local veterinarian with their contact information and their horse(s) information and payment arrangement in case of an emergency.
5. Risk of Loss: During the time that the horse(s) is/are in the care of Smokey Hill Horsemanship or appointed coverage person shall not be liable for any sickness, disease, theft, death or any type of injury which may be suffered by the horse during training, transportation, coaching, private riding lessons or board. This includes, but is not limited to; any personal injury or disability the horse may receive while under the care, training, transportation, coaching (private riding lessons) or board by Smokey Hill Horsemanship. The Owner fully understands and hereby acknowledges that Smokey Hill Horsemanship is not insured for training, transportation, coaching, private riding lessons, boarding, public liability and equine mortality and all risks relating to training, transportation, coaching, private riding lessons or board of the horse(s), are to be borne by the owner.
6. Release and Hold Harmless Agreement: The undersigned acknowledges and accepts the unavoidable risks inherent in all horse related activities, including but not limited to bodily injury, hauling of horses and physical harm to Horse, Rider and Spectator, and/or damage to associated personal belongings, including vehicles. The undersigned agrees to HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY Smokey Hill Horsemanship and anyone associated or employed with this business located at 29500 US Hwy 24 Stratton, CO 80836, and further release them from any liability or responsibility for accident, damage, injury, illness and/or loss whatsoever to the undersigned or to any family member and/or invitee, of any kind whatsoever, accompanying the undersigned on the premises identified above or anywhere that Smokey Hill Horsemanship conduct business.
7. Fees and payment terms: There will be a non-refundable $100 booking fee for each month that a horse is registered for training/board. The remainder of the $__________ fee is to be paid before training/board of the horse(s) starts. If the horse(s) is unavailable for training due to an illness or is lame, documentation from a veterinarian will be required for a full refund of the $100 booking fee. In order to cancel any training/board that is paid in full previous to the start of training, one month’s notice will be required in order to receive half of the $________ fee. The training rate is to be paid before the start of training/board. The Owner agrees to timely make payment of the standard training/board rate in advance without notice from Smokey Hill Horsemanship. The standard training rate are set forth above and is subject to change by Smokey Hill Horsemanship on 30 days written notice to the Owner, unless a fixed training/board rate is agreed upon and secured by full payment for that time in advance. A penalty charge of $35 will be applied to NSF checks.
8. Right of Lien: The Owner is put on notice that Smokey Hill Horsemanship has invoked the right of lien under the Colorado Livestock Act, for any amount due for training, transportation, coaching, private riding lessons and board of horse(s), and further agrees Smokey Hill Horsemanship shall have the right without the process of law, to attach a lien to your horse(s) after 30 days of non-payment or partial payment and Smokey Hill Horsemanship can then sell horse(s) to recover its loss. If any sale pursuant to this section does not result in a price sufficient to satisfy the Owner's obligation to Smokey Hill Horsemanship, the Owner shall remain liable to Smokey Hill Horsemanship for any remaining balance. If such a sale results in an amount exceeding the amount owed to Smokey Hill Horsemanship by the Owner, any such excess shall be remitted to the Owner.
