Finging a good and reliable local horse trainer

Question
I have a very wonderful, but distrustful and powerful (not mean) 8 y.o DWB "project horse" that needs to be re-trained. I've had him for 1 1/2 years and have had him at two trainers farms and have been disappointed with the lack of progress and would prefer that he be trained on my farm.  How do you find a skilled trainer to work with? I am prepared for this to take a long time. I live in NE GA.

Answer
Hi Charlotte!

I always recommend talking to your vet, farrier or tack shop to find a local trainer.  

The most important thing is to find a trainer who has experience and knowledge about your breed of horse.  A QH person would not work well with an Arab horse or any other of the saddle horse breeds.  

I have no idea what the NE Georgia Warmblood population is and you did not say what discipline you wanted training in.  If it is Dressage, you should find that most trainers are familiar with your breed.  However, rarely do Dressage trainers work with "project horses"...oh, they'll work to improve your advanced moves but, usually will not touch a too basic mount.

So, back to square one.  If your have no trainers in your area familiar with a DWB, try the Internet.  Start by searching breed organizations and often they have a trainer directory.  Will one live close enough to you to train at your farm?  Maybe, maybe not.  A solid second alternative is to find a trainer who deals with draughts or half-draughts.  They will be used to the large, powerful and slow to mature mentality and if he is "pushy" they should know how to "push" back correctly.  

Your big boy needs a firm hand, clearly delineated boundaries and a consistent no-nonsense environment.  He is almost young enough to get a handle on but, don't wait any longer...he needs to have his world rocked and soon.  We don't want anyone getting hurt, right?

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange