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What to charge for horse training?

J

Judith

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Joined
Dec 29, 2005
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BC
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.
 
Depending on age,and if anyone has fooled with him (nothing like an "educated bronc" :roll: ) I usually charge $500,with owners paying for feed,for 30 days riding,but maybe im underpricing?.....
 
The trainer I have always used, puts a honest ride on them..but you might not see them for 6 months. Just breaking them and putting some wet blanket is $500/mo. and he does feed them. He collects the first month from you in advance and then you have to agree to 60 days with him. He specializes in roping and cutting...but, a lot us that ran out of time just like to send our horses there, because he will not let them come home till he feels they are ready, and only charges for the months he agreed with you on. And, when you get the young horse back it is ready to go to work...

I have another friend that is excellent and he will ride them by the week, which I have never had done till he came along. He charges $175 a week, but will ride the horse till he feels it is ready to go home. He puts them into all situations as well, once they are going he will put them into the swamps around here and teach them to trust, he will push cattle with them..and just about any other situation. He has been known when his truck broke down to use 2 to ride to town (30 miles one way)...parks them outside the grocery store and post office. The mare I sent to him spent 2 weeks and she never hesitated at water again, nor did she shy at anything, she had big issues with crossing water.

Anyway, I think as a trainer you have to just charge what you see yourself worth. There are some big trainers that I dont feel are worth it and they charge $1000 a month, plus miles that they haul your horse. Those are the ones that haul to the big shows, cuttings, and ropings. Of course we live close enough to what is being called the heart of horse country...Ft. Worth is like 4 hrs from me. LOTS OF BIG TRAINERS, and WANNABES there...;)

Judith working in the industry myself for over 20 yrs, it is a hard thing to put a price to your worth. I always got griped at by my ex because I under paid myself. I just always wanted the client to feel they got their moneys worth.


Hope that this gives you an idea...And good luck in your pursuits. The future is yours.

Easty :wink:
 
Things are sooo different with all avenues of this industry. Prices vary so much province to province state to state. For breaking and working with the TB (prepping for the track) we have what is called a day rate. I charge 17.00 per day for prepping. That said alot of the big stables charge 45.00 so it really depends. For a western pleasure horse out here on the coast it is 750.00 + board at 425.00. But then BC is REALLLY expensive. I think 500.00 per month and feed would be fair. I wouldnt be charging as much as some of the big trainers but owners would get their money's worth. I've had to fix so many western pleasure horses lately it's nuts. Too many rookies watch videos at home and trying it themselves.
 
I charge 750. For a couple reasons. One is I really don't have the time so if someone just has to have me start one I will but not for free, the other is that at that price I get good horses not someones bronc that they just want someone else to deal with. Amazingly right now I have 4 outside colts and one more coming this morning. No I'm not that good, but like you Judith I put a solid 30 rides on them, and I don't count my time on the ground., I will say that when I'm done they(horse providing) are going pretty good, and are very soft to the leg and hand. You should sit down and figure out what you need to survive, how many colts per month that is at x dollars and go from there.
 
Very sound advice Heel Fly! The biggest problem I will have to face is that in BC I have a reputation. In Sask I am basically starting fresh and don't have any connections to the horse industry there. I don't want to over price the service. But I guess it is true that you get what you pay for.

Thanks to everyone!
 
Horse trainer in my area charges $500 a month and he supplies the feed. He just built a new indoor arena so he must be doing okay at that rate.
 
Wow, I felt lucky before, but I am really lucky.....$450 they feed on the guy that starts them and $400 from the guy in the feedlot That takes them next....Both these guys give me 30 rides to call it a month..The next girl that takes them is $250, BUT, she rides them 3-5 days a week...Also full care.....

Two reasons I get these deals....I send good minded horses that are much more fun and rewarding than work....My money is always on time and good.....

Funny thing, the guy at the feedlot is also a place I feed cattle.....Once he commented I was wierd in that I check my calves and never ever call and nadger him on the horse....My comment was, "Do I need to check on you?" He smiled and said it was nice, but different, LOL,'

PPRM

Pat
 
I live in Saskatchewan near Tobin Lake.
A few years ago we had a young fellow start a mare for us for $200 including board. He was cowboying at the time and welcomed the extra income.
My brother-in-law has a gelding going to get started next month for $500, a common rate for proven trainers.
The highest I have known of is $700. I think the guy won the ranch horse competition at Agribition a few times. It's the some guy that charged us $200. You can get whatever you are worth, but have to ask for it. If he lived nearby, I wouldn't hesitate on the $700 as he is well worth it and loves his job. I think he does mostly arena horses now.
I found a fine young Mennonite over near where Rod lives that says he will train for $300.He's not well known, but my nephew got a rope horse from him that is trained to a tee. He's just a quiet young guy that just seems to connect with the horse.
I have herd that if a horse is bucked out, it will sometimes go bronco when it gets excited. Any truth in that?
 
Judith, prices range pretty wildly in Alberta, with some guys at 400/month in the feedlots, 500/mth is what my guy charges, to 700 to who knows what for reining/cow horse training. Of course some of the reining horse trainers need them granny broke before they get them, so the horses are ready to move on beyond basics rather than just getting started. I've seen ads from guys looking for horses to train in the feedlot, and knowing who some of them are, wouldn't dream of sending them anything of mine. Of course I don't think a feedlot is a place for a horse that is too green. PPRM has the right idea, sending once they have some training on them.
 
Well, I wouldnt want an unbroke horse in a feedlot. But i am sure that they learn a ton when they are in that position. Prices are bonkers for training though. I just got ahold of a trainer that shall not be named in alberta ( family outfit, really well known, hint hint) and they charge 1200-1500 a month! HOLY CRAP!!! I wanted them to move Zippy up when I have put 60 days on him. I think that Casey (out here) is going to get him instead. He charges 800.00 per month. Ya gotta pay the bucks if you want them shown unfortunately... But Casey does a fantastic job.
 
I don't know what area of training you're looking for, reining, cow horse, etc, so can't help you there. Of course cow horse (and therefore reining, as it's an element of cow horse) is about the only area I pay much attention to. There are some good young trainers doing a fantastic job for not too much money - yet...... They will be getting expensive soon too, but for now they are still building their reputations in the show ring.
 
idk if this'll help much, but there's a trainer here in NY she's really good. she charges $300 including board and feed for 30 days, and before she lets you take the horse home she makes sure she gives you lessons on how she's trained the horse. Everyone rides and trains different, so having her teach you how to cue the horse for certain things and work with it the way he was trained helps a lot, it makes for a much better experience.
 

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