Wow, excellent question. Here is what my hubby & I have found out in this area..... do your homework, read up on the trainer (if possible) and ask around. I think one of the best things I have found is go to some local shows where the trainers are showing & watch, learn & listen. I will tell you this I have seen some trainers that I would LOVE to work with and I have seen some trainers who I WOULD NEVER use, just by how they treat the animals they are dealing with and not only the animals but how are they treating their students or the general public for that matter.
Go to the trainers barn & look around, if you have a gut feeling that the place is not on the up & Up, it probably isn't. I know we dealt with one trainer who was as nice as the day is long, but to me, the trainer turned out to be a little flakey...and by that I mean, we would have lesson times & we would show up & the trainer wouldn't be there, etc, etc.....and this was not a barn that was close to where we lived, so that got old in a hurry.
Ask others who they use and how they liked how they worked with them & their horses, etc....I tell you people are usually very honest when it comes to their horses, atleast that is what I have found.
You can also do some searches on the LB sight for trainers, etc...and some trainers may be able to recommend other trainers in your area, etc.
As for cost, it varys on what kind of training you want done, performance, halter, etc. I think we paid like $400 a month or so and that included board also. But that was a couple years back...but it gives you an idea.
Good luck, I hope you find the right person for the job, I know now in hindsight, I would have done a lot more homework before picking the trainer we picked the first time around.
:
