Why Do I Need A Trainer?

Q.  After showing at the club level for several years, I will be stepping up to the AQHA level.  I’ve observed several of these shows, and one thing I’ve noticed is that most of the amateur competitors seem to have trainers.  As an amateur on a budget, I would like your opinion as to whether or not I need a trainer.  Although not a professional, I do enjoy the process of training as much as the results.  My husband (not a horse person) does not see why I need to spend the hefty fees for a trainer. 

A.  It’s important to periodically step back and evaluate our goals and analyze the reasons we invest our time and money in any endeavor.  You have stated that you enjoy the process of training, and I’m assuming a hands-on approach to caring for your horse as well.

Many of your fellow exhibitors enjoy the showing more than the day to day management, and results more than the process.

Others have no extra time in their lives to devote to the care of their horses and would prefer to concentrate on lessons and showing, leaving the training and care to someone else.

If you are a results-oriented person, even on a limited budget, consider that it can be a false economy to do all the training yourself.  A skilled professional has learned to avoid many of the miscommunication skills which slow down a horse’s education, or cause things to get worse before they get better.  A real horseman knows how to use cues with the appropriate timing, intensity, and repetition (not too much, not too little) to get the job done efficiently.

As a trainer, my involvement with hundreds of horses, gives me the advantage of building a system that works, a template of proven consistency, I can apply to each new horse.  I’ve learned what doesn’t work (I cringe when I think of the horses I’ve certainly confused in my early training days!).  I also understand that there are exceptions to every rule – I have been both humbled and affirmed by experience!

Other advantages of engaging a trainer are:

A Mirror

Every rider needs an objective eye to evaluate her performance and spot details of movement, skill or turnout that could be interfering with her success.  A trainer can compare her student to the other competitors, bringing to light areas that need improvement and were overlooked in the arena at home.

Strategy

Being familiar with the typical show routine and timetable, a trainer can suggest a game plane for when to get ready and for warming up, so that his client doesn’t under prepare, “peak too soon”, or miss her class!

He can design a strategy for riding a pattern or course or for how to safely negotiate the busy warm up ring because he’s done it himself so many times.

Resources

Working with a trainer gives you access to a shared show tackroom, saddle and bridle racks, and trailering to the show if needed.  At home there is an indoor arena, and other riders to practice with.

Other resources include contacts when you want to buy a horse or equipment, where to get a deal, and who you can borrow that piece of tack from that you left behind!

She has access to different bits and grooming products, and has experience interpreting that big AQHA rule book.

Understand, that while you gain the relationship with your horse and the pride and education of having done it all yourself, you may reap the benefits of all your hard work later than your trainer-hiring competitor.  Your progress may be slower, your resources more limited, and you may have more bumps along the way.

It’s up to you to weigh both options, or perhaps come up with a part time compromise that works for you and your family.

Voice Commands

Q.  Is it acceptable to use voice commands in the show ring?

A.  In some disciplines, i.e., dressage, voice commands are unacceptable.  However in A.Q.H.A. and other stock horse breeds “using your voice” discreetly is just fine.

I keep words to a minimum when training horses.  I teach the meaning of a cluck, a kiss and a whoa to a youngster on the longe line and these, when later used in conjunction with my hands and legs, makes the transition to under saddle work easier.  Voice commands act as a bridge to clear up any confusion when teaching a horse a new skill.  The rider pairs something the horse knows (the voice command) with something new (the aid).

A novice rider whose cues might be unsteady will find her voice handy to reinforce them.

I always remind my students not to "chatter" to their horses.  Doing so desensitizes them to the words that they really want their horses heed.  (Like the Boy Who Cried Wolf).

To summarize, voice commands can be a help, but never a substitute for your classic aids.

© Copyright 2006 Lindsay Grice.  All rights reserved.