Seeking article sources: several trainers, one barn

[stephstphn]

(For barn owners or trainers): I’m working on a story for a national trainer’s magazine on the following topic: You've got a barn where there are one or more trainers handling clients. There is bound to be conflict for arena time, school horse use, philosophies, clients, etc. I don’t want to touch on different disciplines at one barn; the same discipline with all students and trainers doing that form of riding, in this case, dressage.

What is the best way to keep the peace and make sure everyone's clients and the trainers are happy? I’d like to speak to a medium to large barn to find out how you handle this situation.

[slc2]

not a big barn owner or trainer. deleted.

[egontoast]

not a big barn owner or trainer. deleted


One day at a time. Maybe there is hope after all. :cool:

Sounds like a great idea for an article. This will at least serve to bump it up for you.:)

[slc2]

Not really. I think it's more of a mistake, actually.

Plenty of boarders can offer very useful answers to the question. In fact I think boarders are very qualified to offer observations and opinions on this issue.

They more than anyone else suffer when it doesn't work out well, and boarders typically see more situations to compare than owners do. Owners only see their own barns(their memories of boarding are not always accurate); boarders see many.

[BohemianRN]

I must say we have a great atmosphere where I ride. It is primarily an eventing barn, but the distribution of riders across the disciplines is quite even. There is H/J, Eq trainer (mostly works w the Pony Clubbers, kids, younger set), an event rider (15th in the country overall) who trains event hopefuls, jumpers, kids and us dressage folk. Also, we frequently have "visiting" trainers. All the trainers speak highly of each other and even recommend each other. I am not the barn owner, but I have heard her say the same. They are aiming for a positive, fun, safe and family friendly barn (which it is). Also nice that there is a good representation at horse trials and shows!

[narcisco]

At the large stable where I worked, over 100 horses, probably 50 of them doing dressage, we had 4 dressage trainers, a lesson program, and of course, the other disciplines.

At the time, there was one "S" judge, one "R" judge, one L graduate and I. The S judge and the R judge worked only with clients on their own horses. I had my own school horses, as well as clients on their own horses. The S judge and the R judge taught each other, the L judge and me, so there was a very cohesive system and philosophy. We often all worked under the same clinicians.

We shared horses and clients. Often, one trainer would teach the student, the other trainer would ride the horse and when someone was out of town, we would fill in for each other.

Most of the students were fairly flexible although there was always trainer loyalty. But with the judges out of town most of the summer, one instructor had to be "stay at home" in order to meet the clients' needs.

The wonderful part was it pretty much all happened based on what we enjoyed doing. So, if one trainer clicked with a horse, she rode the horse. If one trainer clicked with a student, she taught the student. So, I might not be teaching the student regularly whose horse I was riding. Or some else might be riding the horse regulary of the student I taught.

But we would switch on and off, so at some time or another, we rode all the clients' horses, and we all taught the client, so we knew what the student was going through.

Sometimes I would take lessons with one of the judges on the student's horse, so I could help the student advance the horse.

We had an indoor arena and two full sized outdoor arenas. In the indoor, we tried to work the schedule so that preferably only two of us were teaching. But sometimes there were three.

Because these were extremely experienced instructors, we were able to situate ourselves and students in the arena, modulate our voices and speak to the students at the right times so we did not shout over each other. We had chairs at A and at E. The third instructor might go into the arena. We were careful never to shout directly toward the other instructors.

We also experimented with headsets and walkie talkies but one downside was the rider could not hear the other instructors' orders and might get in the way.

For the most part, students listened closely, and recognized their trainer's voices. We adapted our exercises and direction so that traffic flowed smoothly. One example was if the traffic was all going on the right rein, and my rider had worked long enough to the right. Instead of going against the traffic, we might continue going right but work counterflexions so the horse was softened left.

Ok, only a part of it. Probably the main reason it worked is that all trainers had to agree with the addition of a new trainer. In other words, we all knew each other and all got along well to start. If you want more info, you can PM me. It was a great stable and a terrific experience.

[staceyk]

I boarded at a big barn with multiple trainers. Here are my suggestions based on a some fairly difficult experiences...

-- As the owner have clear, consistent policies that apply uniformly to all trainers. Example of where problems can occur: some trainers don't allow others to ride during lesssons, others allow other riders. At the barn I was at, one trainer did not allow anyone to OBSERVE!
-- Have rules that apply to all boarders. Don't let each boarder do his/her own thing with regard to barn behavior, there should be barn-wide rules about wash stall use, cleaning up the aisle or the ring after use, etc.
-- Don't let trainers "buy" exclusive rights. If there is a washer dryer, or a lounge, or other amenity it should be available to all boarders. One day at my big barn, we came out to find parts of the facilities locked and only one trainer's boarders had keys!
-- COMMUNICATE about clinics, shows, other uses of the facilities that may limit ring availability, etc. Also saddle fittings etc should be broadly announced so that others can participate.
-- Owners really need to be available and hands on about coordinating and managing trainer conflicts and expectations. Avoid favoritism.

[Carol O]

I am not a bo, but I have a suggestion. If conflicts do arise between trainers, please deal with it trainer to trainer, and do not go through the students/clients to resolve it.