04/04/2025
❗️UNPOPULAR OPINION❗️
✨You have to be okay with your trainer doing “nothing” with your horse🙃
“How was Fluffy this week?”
“Great! I rode them once, long lined once and then we went on a hand grazing adventure the other day.”
*blank stare*
Oh, that sinking feeling. As a trainer, you can tell exactly what your client is thinking in this moment, and sometimes they even have the nerve to say it. “I don’t PAY you to hang out with my horse.” 🙄
Well, yes, you do actually. You see, for me to get the best work and change out of your horse, I need to have a relationship with them that is based on mutual trust. Trust isn’t gained by making demands and riding 3-5 days a week. Trust and partnership is built in the quiet moments, the hairy moments, and yes of course the ridden work as well. But if all your horse associates your trainer with is “work” then you’re really missing out on how much is to be gained by them actually having a relationship with your horse. Also, dare I say, EVERYONE benefits from a relaxed program with minimal pressure to perform. If you can’t trust your trainer to work your horse without you staying on top of them, you really shouldn’t be training with them. Some trainers earn a reputation for not doing what they say they’ll do, others don’t, but instead suffer from the opinions of over-bearing owners. My humble opinion is that if you send your horse away for training you should know how to let go of control and let the trainer use their best judgement as to what your horse should do day in and day out.
What are your expectations for your trainer and horse on a weekly basis?
