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What to charge for horse training?

I have a Doc Bar colt that I think a lot of so I took him to a fancy trainer down in Utah. He kept him for about 12 months total and charged six thousand ($500 a month). Its more than I wanted to pay but he won some big shows with him and he has turned out to be about the best horse I've had on the place. Money well spent.
 
How many people send a young horse out to be ridden, leave him for
a month or two, and when they pick him up, never ask the trainer
to ride him and show what he has learned?

Happens A LOT!

And how many owners get the horse home, don't ride him horse for 4-6 months, and then are mad because the horse didn't remember what he
was taught.

Sometimes, it's the owners fault...

and I agree, Curley, the ones that ride them for 15 rides and charge
for 30 are unscrupulous. But it happens all the time.

I think you were right to send him for that length of time. Then
they are SOLID...and will stay broke. You aren't hoping for a 30-day
wonder.
 
Actually FH..I don't think we are very far apart on our thinking, but..After I get my 2 year olds back from thier indoctrination, I like to leave them alone for awhile. But my two year olds are pretty gentle to begin with.....So not always apples to apples...

Here's my thots/reasoning.....They have been to schooling for awhile. I find if they get a break, they actually look forward to the next level. I am just trying to keep them fresh. So, my main guy starts them for 45-60 days (His decision as to what they are ready for), Then they are home for 45-60 days.....Then off to the next guy for a month in the feedlot....Then home for awhile before going onto a lady that rides them 3-4 times a week,

I kinda picked this up when at the feedlot myself. Most times horses were better after morning coffe break or lunch. It was like they had a chance to sit and think about what worked and what didn't. Seems like they get a chance to freshen and mature and it helps.....However, they do get fiddled with some...brushed, Feet cleaned...Everytime I catch them they have a chance to respond to lighter and lighter ques. If you were to watch me, you'd pick up on it, but it is generlly too subtle of little lessons going on for most people,

PPRM
 
Excellent point, PPRM. And I was never thinking of two-year olds anyway, except in the mention I made of young horses not remembering after 30 days.
I was speaking of more like 4 year olds, for longer training.

You just can't drill those youngsters. Our horse trainer friend says that
you have to get them in a "learning frame of mind", but you can't drill
them. And horses need new things, not the same thing over and over.
(drilling). They need to keep their mind fresh, not resentful or soured
on doing the same thing constantly.

They do need mental rest too. We turned ours out in the winter, clear
away from the buildings for awhile. Sure helped them grow up, and very
seldom were they not better after a rest. Mental and physical.

And horses need to have fun too.
 
yeap I agree FH that horses can't be drilled. Even the older horses dependin on what they are doin. Barrel horses are the worlds worst for gettin burnt out on what your doin. These two new one's get about 20 to 30 minutes of ridin each day, maybe 5 minutes or so on each thing, once they do it right, she moves on to somethin else. When she's done with the "learning/teaching" part, she takes em off out thru the woods and just rides, or out in the pasture.
Same thing with a finished barrel horse...walk, trot, lope the pattern, correct anything that aint right, then quit, go for a trail ride, ride thru the cows....whatever.....just somethin that's totally different than what you were doin.

Keeps em on their toes, you on your toes, and their mind is fresh.
 
Good minded arena horses are work to keep that way. Breaks and just miles outside do wonders. Glad to hear someone is doin it right jersey

PPRM
 
Judith said:
Well, As of Monday I am officially free of the shackles. There are a few things that need to be ironed out but things are looking alot more positive than yesterday.

That said, it also looks like I have a couple of opportunities in Sask that are looking very promising. Nothing is signed yet so hopefully I havent jinxed myself.

What is a fair and reasonable rate for training colts? I figured that everyone in Sask broke there own young stock. Apparently I am wrong in that assumption and that there is an opportunity there.

I put an honest 30 days on them meaning when I say 30 days I mean 30 days in the saddle. Not like most facilities that put say 15-20 rides on them.

I would really appreciate an imput on this one. I like to be fair and feel that people get more than their money's worth.
Click to expand...

Well its like this, there are some heck of great deals on horse set-ups in SK. I know because I have been looking at them.
Here is the problem as I see it. SK really doesnt have much for a horse industry. The average income in SK isnt very high. I dont think your going to find a whole lot of clients in SK that are either going to have the means or desire to put much coin in a horse.
Watch what horses are selling for on Northern Horse and the Equine Trader. Horses / tack/trailers/everything sells for way less in SK than what it does in AB. Actually stuff even sells higher in BC than what it does in AB.
Here is another problem with SK. Places that have the good deals on acreages/farms tend to be in places that dont have a lot of off farm employment opportunities.
If you make the move it might be a good idea not to plan on any off the farm income. If you do find off the farm income its not going to pay like in AB or BC. Example 99% of jobs listed that are traditional woman type jobs are min. wage type jobs.
Anyway I think its going to be tough to try to make a go of it over there. You will never get enough volume selling $2500 broke horses to make ends meet. The cost of living is low in SK but not that low. Well I guess it depends on how much money you have to start with.
 
Roper, you have very valid points and I do appreciate your input!
I am very fortunate in that the horses that I work with and sell for the most part are sold in the states. So for me location is not very important. However I would like the option of taking in local horses if the opportunity presented itself. We are now looking at 600,000 per acre here in the lower mainland. I could buy a really nice place for that in Sask. I also am returning home so I know what i am getting into weather wise etc. I just hope that living out here on the coast for so long hasnt turned me into a total pansy :)
 
Judith,

You better hope OT doesnt see that about you shipping horses to the US he'll get his R-colt buddies together and try to block the border.... :lol: I bet they come up with Mad Horse disease as the reason behind it........ :wink: :shock: :lol: :lol:
 
It's already getting rough to get through the border. Just try sneaking through with a tomato in your car :)

Bottom line is that the TB industry is KY, FL,NY, and CA. If ya want to dabble in racing ya gotta be willing to be involved in these states.

Ontario doesnt do to bad, but I have no interest in living there, may as well stay in BC.
 
8) As the lady said-Yu charge yur self worth.Days with 1/2 @#$ trainer are not the same as with horseman.Have to do yur homework,ask around
 

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