07/24/2024
I didn't write this but thought it was so true.
some non pros and pros have been debating the issues within the equine industry. I think all points are interesting to consider. If we can learn from both sides, we could work towards growing an even stronger industry and thus fan base!
In a recent poll taken by 75 horse trainers online, there were some interesting and sometimes entertaining situations that were not discipline specific. The trainers could answer anonymously and were given the opportunity to add their own polling questions if they chose. Certainly many of these would be applicable to any business owner, but it was enlightening to see how many had shared the same situations.
97% of trainers have hid in the bathroom at a horse show to escape the drama between clients.
79% have considered selling body parts instead of training horses.
63% have had a spouse or significant other leave the relationship while they were at a horse show and 72% of those broke up over a text message. Most of them cited “priority of horses over the relationship* as a main contributor to the split.
100% have received non emergency texts from clients between the hours of 1 am and 6am.
81% of trainers have forgone a commission or finders fee on at least one horse in order to have the client be able to afford the horse.
75% of trainers have had clients with past due training fees over $5000 at some point in the last 3 years.
100% of trainers have customers that they consider closer than family members
80% of trainers said if they could afford to train horses for free, they would.
87% of trainers who consume alcohol say that their consumption increases “significantly” from August to November.
99% of trainers have felt pressured to attend shows that they did not have planned only to lose money when they didn't have enough horses showing to pay the expenses involved.
98% of trainers have had at least one client who they've had to ask to leave due to bringing an unhealthy atmosphere to the existing group o