Weekly Bonus Tip

Well we are well into the new year and it’s time to start thinking about getting your two year olds and futurity prospects into training. So what I’ve done is compiled a list of questions to ask any perspective trainer. Some of the following may be ones that you haven’t thought to ask. 1. What is your training cost per month? a. What is the due date for the payment? b. What are your late fees? c. Are lessons included? If so, how many? d. Who is responsible for vet and farrier? e. Who is responsible for insurance on the horse in training? f. If a horse is sick or injured, is there a discount rate? 2. How often is the horse worked? a. How long is a typical work session? b. How many days a week of riding? c. Is the trainer or the assistant trainer going to be riding the horse? d. Do you have a minimal requirement of days for starting a colt? 3. Feeding program a. What type of grain is fed? b. What type of hay is fed? c. How many times per day are they fed? d. Who is responsible for supplying supplements? 4. Show fees and expenses a. What is the rate charged per mile? b. How are the show fees covered? Deposit or credit card? c. How are winnings split between owner/trainer? 5. What shots/vaccines/etc are horses required to have when coming into training? a. flu/rhino b. rabies c. tetanus d. strep e. coggins f. VEWT g. deworming schedule 6. If a horse is sold while in training, what is your commission rate? a. Who is responsible for paying a split commission if another trainer is involved? b. Does you, as the trainer, get a commission if the owner sells the horse while in training? 7. Scheduling visits a. Do you require an appointment for me to come and watch my horse being worked? b. Do you work horses the same time every day? c. Am I able to drop in anytime? 8. What other information do you require? a. license b. club membership papers c. insurance, if applicable *be sure all are current. 9. What type of notice do you require if the horse will be taken out of training? 10. Goals a. How long should I expect my horse to be in training before being able to be shown? b. long term goals c. short term goals d. rider goals e. horse goals f. Who’s going to show the horse? Trainer and/or rider? I hope this list assists in the process of tracking down a trainer. The relationship between the trainer and the owner is built of friendship and trust, but above all, it is still a business and honesty is the best policy. I hope you have a happy and successful new year. As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe and Have Fun.- Steve Kutie