Miniature Horse Trainers

[Tremor]

In the next year or two I am planning on sending my broodmare to a trainer so that she could be trained to drive. The plan has been "finalized" with my mom and we're both excited about it. (Mostly me, lol.) She knows what I want to do and that I am going to go through with it. Throughout the next five years I would like to send my broodmare and her two foals (2010/2011) to the trainers for something. My goal is to get them out there to do something for fun and a few shows. That's it.

Well, as I'm getting more serious about the idea of sending my broodmare to the trainers next year or the year afterward, I've decided to come to you guys for some suggestions on trainers in Iowa or (Northern) Missouri. I would like to have a list of possible trainers to contact in the coming months.

Thanks,

Julia

P.S. I know that its possible to train a mini how to drive all by yourself, but I don't have the knowledge or the experience to do so. I would rather have somebody else train them. I don't want to take that risk.

 

[wcr]

I'm in Oregon so don't know anyone in your state but look around, many people drive and it doesn't have to be a "mini" trainer to help you.

 

[SampleMM]

We have a forum member, TenLTraining that is wonderful with driving horses and great with people. She is located in Kentucky so not exactly in your neck of the woods but you could always get a shipper. Here is a link to her website: TenLTraining . Laura is honest and hardworking and someone that I would completely trust with my horses.

 

[chandab]

Here's the link to Small Horse Connect: http://www.lilbeginnings.com/breeders/ There are some Iowa breeders, so perhaps you could contact one/some of them to help find a local trainer.

 

[CheyAut]

Ask Lavonne who she uses, she loves her trainer

Gambler was trained by them and he drives great!

 

[targetsmom]

If your goal is to be competitive in the breed show ring, then I would look for a mini driving trainer and follow suggestions already made. But if what you want is a well-broke, safe, driving horse, then I suggest you not limit yourself to mini trainers. Your local driving club (try the American Driving Society at www.americandrivingsociety.org) may have members that can help you. That was the route I took and I learned to train and drive my mini at the same time. Your local driving club may also run clinics with a variety of clinicians. We take advantage of those opportunities too.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

If you're looking for fun and some showing, I'd contact ADS too.

You really need to think about what your goals are with each horses (local, regional, national shows - driving, halter, ?). There is quite a variety of training styles and levels of competition AND you'll pay accordingly.

If you go to local shows, watch the trainers and see how they treat their horses. Is their handling of their client horses agreeable to you? Check how the horses are cared for, fed and how the equipment is stored. Also make sure you get a written contract spelling out all the costs. Some are all inclusive, some are low but hit you with small fees every time they do anything.

There are a couple of trainers in my area that I wouldn't give a horse to ever. Mean and abusive. Most people that have been around know this, so they prey on people new to Minis. It's a shame.

Ask around. Word of mouth is the best way definitely.

 

[Genie]

We have a forum member, TenLTraining that is wonderful with driving horses and great with people. She is located in Kentucky so not exactly in your neck of the woods but you could always get a shipper. Here is a link to her website: TenLTraining . Laura is honest and hardworking and someone that I would completely trust with my horses.

You are right about Laura