Your perfect trainer/program

[clancypants]

If you could design your perfect BNT and their program, what would it look like?

[ReSomething]

The fairy godmother in Cinderella, you know, big wand turns mouse into nice, kind warmblood and creaky old woman (me) into Beezie Madden. Sorry to be flip, but that would be my best scenario.

[CaliforniaSyndrome]

Honesty.

[mvp]

I'll offer a serious answer.

A BNT would have gained that Big Name by training his or her clients to train horses, not just ride them. Long ago, a non-BNT pointed this truth out to me: "For better and for worse, you are training your horse every time you ride." I took that and lots of thoughtful help offered by someone who had the time and desire to really teach and became a good amateur rider/trainer. Professionals like to ride the horses I make up, so I feel I have gotten what I came for from trainers who have not/will never be in the BNT limelight.

[GettingBack]

I agree with mvp. I want someone who knows how to teach well, and can get me to do what I need to do, however I need to do it. I'm a highly visual/mental learner so I need a lot of analogies (they work for me and not everyone) so I would want someone who could accommodate my learning style. I also would want someone who could push me just beyond my comfort zone, but would know enough to know when my current limits (level of fitness, fear factor) would cause me danger to push forward (I'm known for pushing myself wayyyy beyond them, which can cause crashes).

Programs? Ideally this trainer would be available to me for every ride - not necessarily a lesson every day, but would be available to watch me ride and point out things where I'm not doing my homework properly. Someone who would have the setup to videotape my lessons etc. that we could review them so I could see what I'm actually doing vs. what I feel like I'm doing.

They would, of course, also have the best barn staff, organization, and well thought out and flexible facility, where I could put my 24/7 turnout-er on 24/7 turnout, but still be able to get him easily and bring him in, regardless of weather etc. I don't need many people to do things for me along that line, but as a working person, it would be nice to have that flexibility. I would be able to trust that at all times they cared the utmost about my horse and our individual needs and wouldn't be so rigid that they treated all horses alike.

Of course, they'd have a nice indoor with good footing, an indoor wash rack, and all the rest of the amenities (while I'm dreaming, I might as well dream big). Oh, and it would be super cheap. (hey, I'm really dreaming now - but that could be because they "do it because they love it and they are independently wealthy" - it COULD happen *laughing*)

I've found all the elements of these at different places that I've boarded, different trainers that I've worked for and with, but unfortunately not all in one place *sigh* Course, a place like that realistically would be way out of my price range.

[findeight]

Actually, my trainer of the last 14 years is about as close to perfect program wise as you are going to get. Probably an MNT nationally, BNT in Ponies and getting close as a judge.

Professionally run operation, you know, like a business.

Everything in writing-they say what they will do and do what they say.

Outstanding home facility, well maintained footing. Top notch care provided by core group of full time adult professionals. Low turnover in core group due to competitive pay and decent benefits.

Good road crew also with low turnover.

Go to AA shows including WEF or stay local. On site shows and visiting top clinicians.

GOOD COMMUNICATION.

Quality at home trainers with a highly qualified assistant plus an apprentice type position to fill in the gaps and work with the tiny tots.

A very social atmosphere with group activities (weekly dinners, holiday parties etc.) and alot of fun.

The only thing missing is it's not free;). But you'd be surprised it's not the most expensive around here.

[mvp]

Reading GettingBack's response to my post, I'd clarify one point--

My perfect trainer would not be available to me every ride. In fact, it is important that I am left alone to experiment, to test my own interpretations of my horse and my own proposed training solutions.

In lessons, my trainer ought to say "Why do YOU think your horse is doing that?" or, "How do YOU want to fix it?" or if, I'm stumped, "Here's what I'd try and why."

While she's riding and I'm watching, she should be able to narrate the silent conversation she's having with the horse. "By doing this with his body, he's saying X." "When he says that and I want something different, I say Y." And the horse should change with an understanding of what the rider has asked for.

Perhaps the very best teacher of horse training I have ever met is a very unfancy local cowboy who starts colts, fixes problem horses and makes ropers. That guy can interpret horses like nobody's business. But even more important, he can put all that into words for his students.

He puts no pressure on his students to ride better or smarter. He just makes you want a piece of what he has and offers it to you. Though he's way outside my discipline, I'd go be a working student for this guy in a heartbeat.

[clancypants]

Your program does sound ideal and not cheap, so how not cheap is it?

[findeight]

Board is 850, all inclusive full care.

Lessons and training are a la cart and about average for AA barns in the area. Range from 40 or 45 to 60.

Edited to add that would be 45 minutes outside a medium size midwestern city. In some parts, it would be triple that, easy.

[Lucassb]

My current trainer's program has a lot in common with Findeight's, although on a much smaller scale (which I prefer.) The trainer personally manages the program and is hands-on with each horse, a luxury that would be nearly impossible in a larger program, but which works great for us.

The barn is run as a business. There are written agreements which detail the services and charges, and you can rely on them; there are no surprises when you open up your bill.

Management is professional and hands-on. The staff is consistent, professional and caring. Facilities are maintained to a high standard and the care is top notch. You can walk through the barn at any time and see clean stalls, organized tack and feed rooms, and clearly outlined schedules for all the horses, who are happy and gleaming in good health.

Lessons are productive and enjoyable; the students do well and are able to move up the levels if they desire (and their horses are suitable.) The client with the older/less able horse is treated just as well as the client with the fancier mount. There is a nice atmosphere among the clients, who are supportive of each other and pleasant to be around; drama is not tolerated.

The trainer is not only knowledgeable and personable, but also secure enough to encourage clients to be/become independent, thinking riders. She is happy to consult on any issue without becoming controlling, and has no problem encouraging her riders to take advantage of other opportunities that come along (clinics, catch rides, etc.) She has an arrangement with a VBNT to allow her clients to show on that level if they desire, without leaving the barn - something appreciated by those who want to spend some time on one of the winter or other big circuits without having to live in such a program full time.

[damecheval]

Lucassb -

If you don't mind me asking, where do you ride? I live in Connecticut also, and am just wondering.

[Beau Cheval]

I <3 my current trainer. She is not a BNT but her training is truly just as good in my experience, albeit limited. She has been able to completely transform me and my horse through teaching me alone. She has never given my horse any training rides and she has completely transformed him through teaching me. I think what keeps her out of BNT is the location (middle class and upper middle class clientele) and the fact that she herself no longer rides as much and doesn't take in horses for training. If I could change anything I would make our indoor bigger, and have my trainer have loads of horses for training so that I would have opportunities to ride lots of horses which is what I really need to do right now. I would say the details are limited. Blanketing is not done by barn staff, there isn't a lot of fanciness, and everyone knows to take care of their horses. I think that as teenagers that is a good thing. It's a great barn to learn at. Everyone is very down to earth and I have made some of my very best friends there. The other great thing about her is she is really chill and really GETS us. Like we tell her about our crazy escapades and drunk-call her all the time and it's hilarious. :lol: I'm in a very happy place right now and there isn't much I'd change. I think I deserve it after all my years in VERY UNHAPPY places.
:yes:

[Tivas_a_Diva]

In lessons, my trainer ought to say "Why do YOU think your horse is doing that?" or, "How do YOU want to fix it?" or if, I'm stumped, "Here's what I'd try and why."



LOVE THIS! :yes:

[gf]

I'm extremely happy to say that my current barn is as close to perfect as I've seen. After looking at MANY barns in the area I think this is the closest to it.

KEY things:

CARE:
Horse care is a major priority and is managed impeccably. The farrier is fantastic as is the veterinary care. The BM is over qualified, educates herself on all of the major health issues and breakthroughs.

The hay is fantastic quality and plenty is fed. I can't stress how important this is.

The indoor is big and the footing is great (and brand new). The outdoor is also big and footing is good.

The stalls are large, airy and kept clean.

My horse can be turned out in a small group in a large paddock on grass (HUGELY important to me).

TRAINING

The training is FANTASTIC. My trainer has been involved with my horse from a very young age and understands her strong personality. He's tough but understanding. In addition the h/j trainer there is a fantastic dressage trainer on the premises available for lessons.

The facilities are way beyond what I have ever had. There are many different outdoor rings and the facility hosts A shows, which helps keep the cost of showing down. There is also access to trails and open space to ride in, which I loooove.

The atmosphere is friendly and professional. There is no drama allowed and the billing and services are clear.

There are a few things I would love to change (all day turnout for example), but overall this barn meets or exceeds all my expectations, which is saying a lot. And while it isn't cheap it is reasonably priced for the area I'm in.