I have a few questions and opinions...

[heartkranch]

This is sort of long so I guess grab a drink. Haha

I take horses to this really good trainer, not cheap either. I took 2 horses for the first 30 days to get basics then I can finish them. They aren't show horse people like I do with mine, but a good foundation and a few wet saddle pads do great so I can start working them and not have to "start" them. Only problems I EVER had was the amount of days. The first horse I took in april he could only work the horse maybe 15-17 days out of the 30 because of the rain etc. Those days were included in the "training days". Which I understand but he wanted more days with the horse and I said no. The old trainer (he passed away) would have the horse WORKED 30 days, not you have to pay for the amount of days the horse is there.

Speed up to September. I really wanted a mustang out of the wild. BLM has a program where they pay for the first month the horse is at the trainers. So I promised to have the horse an extra 60 days with him. Well I called him last week and I asked if he's ready enough to come home so I can start working with him. He'll be a 4h reining horse for my cousin if I can get him home in the next few months. Well the trainer said NO, he's still too wild, acts up, and he doesn't want to see me hurt. So I gave him another month. I said March IS the last month. I've owned the horse for 6 months and only been able to see him only a handful of times since the trainer lives 2 hours away.

I did ask if I could take him home in december to get him use to humans instead of being worked and not learning how to bond with us, and take him back after winter. The trainer said no, because he'll lose what he already learned.

I called to see if he was ready this month (the day is the 17th that the day), the trainer said there is something wrong with his teeth. The weather and his teeth have pushed him to not be able to be worked the horse for TWO weeks. It hasn't been that bad that he couldn't have worked my horse atleast 3 days out of that. I'm kind of mad, I understand not working two days out of the week. But two weeks straight, then asks if its ok that the vet comes out to do his teeth when the weather is better. I'm like he needs to get it done now, because the horse is sitting there while I'm paying for the horse to get broke.

The trainers been good to me about little things but this is starting to get stupid. Any advice about what you would do or even say to the trainer? March will be the last month no matter what. I was thinking just pay for another 2 months and just leave it because the weather is getting better and I have my hands FULL with horses that are getting ready for shows (minis, paint horses, and 4h stuff) 10 horses, don't really have time for a half wild mustang but paying 750 a month for a trainer not working is stupid, when if it's half way being abled to be handled I can do it. So, save money and have extra work, or get the horse home save money and have a horse I have to work with including it's only 6 months out of the wild?

 

[mydaddysjag]

Find another trainer.

I'm from the "big horse" world, and know how trainers work. Normally when you put a horse in full time training, it is specified how many days a week they are worked. Here full time is 5 days a week, part time is 3.

Looks like he took your money now doesn't want to work your horse. Your paying for training and getting board. If he wasnt able to work the horse in the winter he should have told you upfront, and he should have told you about the teeth two weeks ago. Hes just finding excuses not to work the horse. Take your horse home, and get some of your money back.

 

[heartkranch]

I don't think it's he "taking the money" but more like he has 11 other horses he's training.

He did say mine has been one of the hardest. He was gelded right before he came home. (2 weeks).

He is a GREAT trainer, just don't know if it's really the weather AND the teeth. But I don't think it's fair to pay that much when the horses isnt being worked with.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Good trainer doesn't really matter if he's not training your horse, know what I mean? Hes taking your money for training, and not providing the service.

Your paying for something your not getting. I think hes just making excuses for not working your horse because he took too many in training and doesnt have the time...

 

[Ashley]

I would find another trainer. I am lucky that when I decide to have my 2 year old broke out here I know several very good people that are reasonable in price.

That said, you stated you dont have the time to work with a half wild horse. Maybe you bit off to much taking on this horse. If you dont have the time now, how will you have the time to keep him in shape when he does get home?

 

[heartkranch]

That said, you stated you dont have the time to work with a half wild horse. Maybe you bit off to much taking on this horse. If you dont have the time now, how will you have the time to keep him in shape when he does get home?

Meh, when I got him 6 months ago I could have said I didn't have the time, but the last 6 months my tb is finally where he needs to be, just needs to keep him legged up. The paint is going great. I ride them maybe 4 times a week. I could put the mustang in my "training" and not be pressed. Esp since I have my cousin helping with everything, the paint is her horse but I do the "training" on him. She rides the tb since she'll do the english classes with him for 4h.

It wouldn't be a problem now, a couple months ago. yes.

 

[wildoak]

I've had it both ways...trainers who actually kept the horse longer & didn't charge for extra time when weather was bad, and those who charged top dollar regardless of weather or extended out of town time for shows/vacations. Guess who won't get my business again... Your trainer may have good intentions and may be the best guy in a saddle, but bottom line is it's your horse - if you aren't getting your moneys worth for whatever reason it may be time to look elsewhere or bring him home for awhile. Just my two cents.

Jan

 

[heartkranch]

I've had it both ways...trainers who actually kept the horse longer & didn't charge for extra time when weather was bad, and those who charged top dollar regardless of weather or extended out of town time for shows/vacations. Guess who won't get my business again... Your trainer may have good intentions and may be the best guy in a saddle, but bottom line is it's your horse - if you aren't getting your moneys worth for whatever reason it may be time to look elsewhere or bring him home for awhile. Just my two cents.

Jan

Thanks! If they are out of town, they don't count those days.

I just don't think it's far. Even if they can't get the vet out atleast do ground work or something right?

 

[Sue_C.]

If he really has 11 other horses there as well, there is no way that your horse, (or any of the others for that matter)is getting it's proper training. He could of been the best trainer in the world at one time, but has stretched himself too thin, and is hurting his client's, their horses, and in the end...his reputation.

I would find someone who is not as busy, and take the horse to them. This guy's reputation isn't going to train your horse...wet saddle pads are, and he isn't getting that where he is.

 

[heartkranch]

If he really has 11 other horses there as well, there is no way that your horse, (or any of the others for that matter)is getting it's proper training. He could of been the best trainer in the world at one time, but has stretched himself too thin, and is hurting his client's, their horses, and in the end...his reputation.

I would find someone who is not as busy, and take the horse to them. This guy's reputation isn't going to train your horse...wet saddle pads are, and he isn't getting that where he is.

his finacee is also a trainer. She does the more "trained" horses. Forgot to mention that.

I just don't want to hear that I'm not ready to take him home, and argue with him.

 

[chandab]

I just don't want to hear that I'm not ready to take him home, and argue with him.

He's your horse, if you want to pull him out of training now, that's your right; he might not be as far in his training as you had hoped/planned, but it sounds like you can deal with that.

 

[CZP1]

He is your horse bottom line. I would take him home and do not worry about what the trainer thinks. If I was not able to see my horse to see his progess at the trainers, that would raise a red flag with me. JMO

 

[heartkranch]

The vet came today. They said he had a couple sharp points. Thats it. Makes no sense to me that a horse would act that bad over a couple sharp points.

 

[Ashley]

Sharp points can do more than you think. My old gelding had sharp points as did one of my minis. They both acted up, the big guy when riding, and the little guy when driving. Sharp points can destroy the inside of a horses mouth. While it seems like not much to us, I am sure it was pretty painful to the horse.

 

[heartkranch]

Sharp points can do more than you think. My old gelding had sharp points as did one of my minis. They both acted up, the big guy when riding, and the little guy when driving. Sharp points can destroy the inside of a horses mouth. While it seems like not much to us, I am sure it was pretty painful to the horse.

Oh I know, but the vet said that shouldn't have been that much of a problem. I talked to him and they said they ride him to see how he goes. I'm honestly ready just to take him home, even if that means a good argument with the trainer.

 

[~Lisa~]

As a former groom for a Hunter/Jumper trainer I can honestly say

I do not think 11 horses in training is the problem. Many good trainers have more then that in their barn and it does not change the amount of work or care the horses get. That is what a trainer pays an assitant or groom for.

Most people do not keep the horses in training over the winter unless the facility has an indoor arena for that very reason. However with a BLM mustang there is plenty to do with him daily even if being ridden can not safely be done due to weather conditions.

I do understand that there is other costs in board and daily care for training horses but I would expect at least daily grooming and handling to be happening no matter what the weather

 

[Sue_C.]

I do not think 11 horses in training is the problem. Many good trainers have more then that in their barn and it does not change the amount of work or care the horses get. That is what a trainer pays an assitant or groom for.

Correct, but it wasn't made clear at first that he did have his wife or hired help. 11 horses to train when doing it all by yourself...IMO, is too much to get it done correctly.

To have a horse that he is being paid $750 a month to TRAIN...sitting around doing nothing because it simply needs its teeth floated...that is just wrong; especially when the client is not kept informed.

When I have horses in for training, I provide weekly emails and photos of the process...the client gets more than their monies worth.

 

[Marty]

Ok looking at this from your point of view and the trainers both to try to be fair:

in the first place when I used to ride horses for people yes we would get into some serious weather and flooding every now and then where I couldn't use my arenas or pastures to work a horse and all he'd get were fed and groomed. If it were an extended period of time, say we lost four days to a full week, I would pro-rate that time and give the client extra days I felt were owed. You cannot just take some one's horse and their money and leave him sit for days on end then have the gonads to charge for that. And in your case, I doubt very seriously your trainer spent any amount of valuable time daily on grooming or hands on mannering the BLM boy which would equal a ride in the saddle. So the thing he should have done is pro-rated you some cash back or applied it to extra rides.

I'm also going to tell you that before I rode a horse or colt I would ask if his wolf teeth had erupted or any older horse about a floating check if the person even knew because those puppies would for sure cause a problem.

But now in defense of the trainer having that many horses, you have to realize that some training horses are not ridden 7 days a week and given at least 1 day off, his schedule probably has the horses scheduled to ride could be juggled about so he is actually not riding all horses a day but that's subjective. And yes it is hard once a horse has but a couple of weeks training on them to stop it dead, let him rest for weeks, then expect them to pick it all right back up like clockwork. But whatever you will know when you bring your horses home just how much time has been spent on them if at all soon as you hop on. I'd venture to guess soon as you hit the dirt you'll find out. I'd say you have some decisions to make and best wishes to you and luck with it all.

 

[heartkranch]

Update!

Well he's still acting the same after the vet came out and did his teeth, The trainer thinks its because he has a larger pallet(roof of his mouth) thats there reason for everything. There was also a chiro out and I went ahead and told him to get Cody (mustang) worked.

The trainer gave me 2 weeks of "weather and vacation" time.

Now the long and the short. My horse HATES the bit. He is fine in a side pull, but really weird about bits. I hope I don't get flamed for this but Cody was laid down. (tied a leg up, made to lay down, and yes he fought like crazy). In the beginning they used the bit to lay him down, but now he can lay down without any pressure with a sidepull. I know lots of trainers that have done it but I think laying him down with the bit pressure made him hate bits. That's my opinion though.

They can get on him bare back, he's still a bit spooky right when you get on. The trainer has said this has been the most diffcult horse they have every worked.

He'll be coming home in two weeks, since that is my "extra" time. I've owned this horse for 6 month and barely had my hands on him 3 times. I'm going to start bonding with him and getting him to trust me, I'll have a helmet on the whole time since I've already lost vision from a past horse fall.

I'm finally excited to say he'll be coming home.

and I get to re-cop on all this money!

 

[Bess Kelly]

If his teeth need work, it needs done NOW, not when weather clears. If he has seen this and did NOT CALL YOU, then he's negligent in his dutiy as a trainer to NOT advise he isn't training due to such an issue. I would THINK that a trainer who charges the fee you state would have an indoor work arena -- weather should play no part in that horse being work to some degree.

Personally, I would have had a talk about these things before this and told him he owed me for this not working crap. A few days, maybe, this much over that many months -- he's taking advantage!

He's not being a GREAT trainer right now. In fact, less than average would be kind, IMO. Would you pay a hired hand his full salary if he didn't report to work? Well, this guy isn't..........are you sure your horse is being well fed?

This whole thing is a problem in my eyes. And yes, mustangs can be wicked!! But, plenty are out there broke.