boarding and training stables

Question
Hi. I have a 13 yr. old NSH gelding that was a little more than Green broke at the age of 6 or 7, and then left out to pasture with little training until now. I am doing the groundwork to the bedt of my ability and he is improving overall, but I would like to board him at a good training barn to have a proffessional trainer work with him and me also. What are some of the deciding factors in chosing a training stable?what are some of the "red flags"? I ride English saddleseat or pleasure. The horse is 1/2 Arab and 1/2 American Saddlebred. Also, is moving him to another barn from where he is now going to need time to adjust to new surroundings before starting training? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Anne!

Most "horse trainers" do more harm than good.  Just the fact that they call themselves a "trainer", tells me their mind is not right when it comes to the horse.  Any time you hand your lead rope to someone else, it is as though you have just sold your horse.  It is a serious occasion.   

ASK the person you hand your horse to, who were their teachers?  Where did they learn?  What do their other horses look like and how are they going?  Is there a relaxed and comfortable feel in the barn?  Are the horses relaxed and happy?  Can you visit at any time of the day or night?  There should be NO restrictions on you visiting your horse, as a matter of fact, if the horse professional does not insist that you be part of the training process, find someone else.  If you can't teach the human, you are creating nothing but frustration for the horse.  

I would be looking for someone that has studied with the best of the best.  Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrence, Walter Zettl, Bryan Neubert, Tom Curtin, Joe Wolter, Martin Black.  These are world class horsemen that offer a complete education for both the horse and rider.  Their goal is to make the owner a complete horseman and not just a dependent with a check book.  

Remember, it does not matter to the HORSE what type of saddle the rider uses!  What matters is that the human is able to feel, understand and communicate with the HORSE in terms the horse knows and understands.  The essential nature of the horse is to preserve itself in MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT.  This is the nature that the true horseman tries to use and NOT fight.  The horse is never wrong.  Find someone that shares and has learned this philosophy.  This is someone that will do right by you and your horse.

Start looking at my past answers, read and watch anything and everything by Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrence, Buck Brannaman.  Attend a clinic with Buck, Ricky, Bryan, Tom, or Joe.  Tom and Ray are gone, but their work lives on in these fine men.  Learn about them.  The more you know the less likely it will be that you will fall into unscrupulous hands.  Beware the "horse trainer", trust your gut and follow your instincts!!!  If it FEELS wrong...RUN and take your horse with you!

I'm always here for help.  Keep me posted!

Smiles!

Denise