I do not receive money for training thus maintaining my amateur status.
Trainer Factoids:
- Ethical horse trainers ride their training horses an average of five days a week.
- Ethical trainers ride their training horses in good and bad weather.
- Normally, the trainer is better than the the person who hires the trainer.
I’m a trainer now. It is the hottest day of the year and I rode. I rode in an indoor arena with one big fan. The horse creates a breeze for the rider when out of fan range. I ask for horse movement and stop in front of the fan for the release and reward….for both of us! I “trained” for thirty five minutes.
It was after I rode when I identified myself as a trainer. I rode. I was near heat death when I left the stable, but I rode.
As to me being better than the person who I’m training this horse for, no. I can’t even give you a percent of how much better my client is….90%? So while I’m riding, I’m thinking about where my hands are, what my feet are doing and softening up my cues. More core muscle cues, less foot pressure. Press with my calves, not my feet. Press with the inside of my feet rather than the spurs on my boot.
Being a trainer is tough!