Welcome to Trainer Tuesday! Each week we ask trainers a question and gather their answers for you. These trainers have a range of experience, backgrounds, and focus points of their programs, so the answers have as much variation as you would expect and also probably much more similarity.
This week’s question posed is: What’s a common thing that you hear said in the horse industry that you don’t agree with?
Here are their answers:
“A phrase I don’t agree with is ‘I need draw reins.’” -Denise Finch
“I dislike it when I hear a trainer say to their student, ‘Find a better distance.’ There are a multitude of factors that affect how you meet the jump. Give a rider the tools in track, pace, rhythm, etc, to arrive at the jump in such a way that the horse can make their best effort. The ‘distance’ is secondary to many other factors.” -Geoff Case
“Whether it’s said or sometimes implied, the idea that you have to be the winner at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) or on an elite stage to be successful.
Success is not finite. Doing right by your horses is success, doing right by your customers is success, doing right by yourself is success. Show up to whatever your role is and give it 100% and keep yourself happy and love the horses. That is always going to make you successful in whatever you do.” -Devan Cottrell
“I don’t agree with when people say, ‘You’re only as good as what you sit on.’ There’s always some truth to everything… but I’ve had great riders that became great riders because they had many, many different levels of horses to ride. Some with less quality, some with more quality, but if a rider wants to be great, they can do that with or without a great horse.” -Dana Hart-Callanan
“Something I hear more often than I’d like from both professionals and amateurs is referring to a horse as ‘lazy.’ Watching a horse pull a rail in a class, and from the in gate comes ‘Oh my god, he’s so lazy! He never wants to pick up his feet.’
Calling a horse lazy is really anthropomorphizing them and painting the behavior in a negative light. Horses aren’t lazy, but they can be unmotivated, confused by our aids, overworked, or uncomfortable. It’s up to us to figure out why they aren’t performing up to the standard we are setting for them. It could be as simple as not enjoying the job they’re being asked to do.
I’ve seen school horses referred to as lazy, who, in reality, might be dealing with anything from pain, exhaustion, to stress. I always remind my students that blaming the horse is lazy–finding out why they aren’t feeling up to the job is our responsibility.” -Ariel Univer
“A common thing that I hear a lot in the horse industry that I don’t agree with is ‘Carry a crop at all times because if you’re going to war, you need a weapon.’
I prefer not to go to war with my horse. I understand that you need to be prepared and you need the tools to get the job done, but if a horse does not need a crop, you don’t need a crop. It always depends on the horse you’re riding in that moment.” -Cara Wheeler
“Two things I frequently hear came to mind right away:
1) When I hear a trainer say, ‘When in doubt, leave it out.’ I would much rather see a good chip and where the rider stays safe. I joke with all students that there will be $100 added to their show bill if they leave out a stride.
2) That judges are political and ‘certain names will always win.’ I feel this opinion is used as an excuse by trainers when their kid didn’t win, or more likely that that’s what they tell the less horse-educated parents–not mentioning the cross canter/add/chip because the ‘political card’ is easier to pull.” -Jennifer Pigue
“This isn’t a statement, but I feel like most of us are all on the same page; I am not in agreement with due process in the case of horse welfare. I feel horses are like children–keep them safe first, not after.” -Wendy Brayman
“I’m not a huge fan of riders/trainers blaming the horse for bad rounds in the show ring. Bad rounds are 99% of the time a result of poor riding decisions, poor training decisions, and/or lack of preparation. Stop blaming the horses for your lack of training and homework.” -Lauren Schweppe
“There’s an attitude I hear more than a single statement, that riding in our sport is declining. While I agree there is a growing recreational, out-of-balance component in our sport, the riders who come up through the ranks are still riding as beautifully and correctly as ever. And yes, the entry-level classes and some regional shows will have looser riders and rougher jumping rounds versus what you may see at:
-International Derby Finals
-The Hampton Classic
– WCHR West/East Spectaculars
-Medal/Maclay Finals
-Nations Cups
-Grand Prix
Safety in our sport is paramount, and entry-level riders will have to be taught that it takes a little time until the training wheels come off. Responsible training leads to riders who look secure and are properly entered, not jumping higher than their balance.
If I were a student paying for lessons or buying a horse, I would go to a show and watch until I saw a rider who looked safe and secure, then reach out to their trainer–not default to whoever trains closest to my home. That’s how to preserve strong riding.” -Diane Carney
“I don’t agree with saying there should be a class limit at horse shows. Currently, there is a big discussion around limiting the number of classes allowed for a horse to show in at a particular event. Every horse is different and requires a different warm-up and different prep, which can affect how many classes they should show in.
Neither riders nor horses are exactly the same every day. Trainers need to have the flexibility to do what is right in the moment, not follow a blueprint of how it should be done. What works for one horse or rider might not work for another. I may have one rider that only needs 3 or 4 jumps to warm up, while another might need 9 or 10. This (along with other prep: lunging, hacking in the morning, morning lesson, horse’s age, and the horse’s fitness from its training program at home) should be the determining factor of how many classes are appropriate for your horse (& rider) to do.
I think it would be better to educate people. If a horse is entered in 15 classes, have a steward talk to the trainer and find out their reasoning. Maybe because the show doesn’t allow same-day adds, the trainer has had to enter all possible classes, but plans to scratch some. Some trainers are just trying to do their jobs and be the ones who make the best decisions for their horses and riders.
In one article I read, a class limit would allegedly only impact about 5% of entries each year. If that figure is true, why are we making a rule for 5%? If the majority of the people aren’t over-entering their horses, then let’s help educate that 5% that is.” –Colleen Brombach
“While not a statement, I would like judges to post their cards. I got so much out of that when I was young, and it encourages people so much to see if they were maybe 4 tics off the lead or a ribbon. It also helps you to see where you may have made a mistake, but that you forgot, or maybe you thought you did well. Everyone seems to have flimsy reasons why they don’t post cars, maybe start by giving them a choice.” -Jan Pearce
“I don’t agree with when people say, ‘There are always going to be a few bad apples.’This response significantly downplays the scope of equine welfare issues. Many equestrians, both professional and amateur, use this dismissive phrase without looking beyond their immediate circle. If they expanded their view, they would discover that it is far more widespread than a ‘few bad apples’ suggests, with many so-called equestrians avoiding accountability through believing this narrative.” –Tamara Lee Barrett
“For me, I disagree with what some trainers aren’t doing more than what they are saying. I feel a key issue in training today is a shift focus away from establishing a proper foundation in their riders.” -Chantel Thyng
“When people say, ‘My saddle fits,’ I will most likely disagree. After having worked very closely with an Independent Master Saddle Fitter for the better part of 20 years, I have learned an enormous amount about saddle fit and how it affects the horse and their way of going.
A quick glance at many of the saddles and padding setups that I see really don’t fit properly. When I watch horses that exhibit certain behaviors in the ring, the first thing I do is look at the saddle and pads, and more often than not, they aren’t properly fitted. In my years of working with wool saddles and a saddle fitter, so many ‘behavioral’ and ‘training’ problems are solved by proper saddle fit!” -Becca Segaloff
“Although it’s just a personal opinion of mine, one thing I’ve heard people debate a lot is working a horse the day after a big Grand Prix class (or equivalent effort) rather than giving them a day off.
If you ran a marathon or had a very intense workout, the next day, the right thing to do for your body is to stretch and give your muscles a rest when it comes to human athletes. In my own experience with managing my horses’ health and care, I do believe decisions relating to horses often connect to what high-performance human athletes would do in many situations. I believe after a hard final day of a show, the horses should gently move around, stretch, go in the paddock as long as they’d like, and enjoy the day without a saddle on their back.
I think horses enjoy a day off as much as we do, and even human athletes need to maintain a balance of relaxation through mind and body. If your horses are getting worked 6 days per week, like many high-performance horses, I think we owe it to them to give them a day of rest after a hard day at the show to recharge. Of course, this varies depending on show schedules and such, but even if I have a big show the week immediately after, I like to give my horses the following day off after showing before resuming the work or show week ahead.” -Kerry McCahill
“I hear a lot that, ‘Trainers are just in it for the money.’ If these trainers exist, I haven’t met one because everyone that I know is in this industry for the love of the sport and the love of the horse, and most of them are struggling financially to make ends meet.
Another thing I disagree with is when a horse is being described as ‘stubborn, naughty, [ insert adjective],’ when in fact, the horse is trying to talk to us and we need to listen. Maybe their saddle hurts, their hocks hurt, maybe they have an ulcer, maybe they need more exercise or a different job, but horses don’t ‘try’ to give us a hard time. Actually, most of the time, they are quite generous to us.” -Julie Pickering
“So often we hear riders complaining about the judging and how it has become so political, or that certain judges don’t like them or their horse because they didn’t pin well at a show in front of that judge. For the most part, judges are hoping you will perform well when you walk in the ring. It’s up to us riders to be prepared and perform to the best of our ability, and the rewards will come.
Trainers need to set a positive tone and not let this be an excuse for poor behavior. We should also encourage more people to work towards getting their judge’s card. Complaining about judging is like complaining about your server at a restaurant when you have never done their job yourself.” -Allison Alder
“I don’t agree with inadequate horse care. I’ve heard and personally seen so many people in this business skimp on the horse care: not wrapping the back legs, improper nutrition, not clipping horses before they go to a horse show, etc. I believe if you are calling yourself a professional in this industry, you should have basic knowledge of all types of horse care, from shoeing, basic vet care, what the horses eat, to proper bit knowledge.
From head to toe, my horses have five-star care, and they always look their best, whether they are at home or heading to the show. Each one has a personalized routine; we leave no stone unturned when it comes to how the horses look and feel. My fiancé always says, ‘We live for these horses, and we eat because of them. They deserve the best care possible.’ And that is something that continues to stick with me, and we live by that every day for our horses.” -Shannon Ittig
“I commonly see posts and comments that judging needs to be more transparent. What I don’t agree with in that statement is that some of the people who say that are not taking advantage of their judges or learning about judging.
For example, I have seen evidence that some competitors and/or their coaches may not be familiar with all the sport rules and/or the class specifications. This is the first step in understanding judging. The whole rule book is quite daunting, but people can zero in on the sections pertaining to judging and the divisions they are particularly interested in competing in. The way a class is run and what the judge is looking for are generally laid out in the rule book.
The hunter and equitation divisions are subjective, and therefore someone’s opinion is going to count in the final equation. And yes, there are times that you may absolutely disagree with a judge or they, as a human, make a mistake and miss something.
While I know this is often discouraged, I wish more exhibitors or their trainers would ask to speak with the judge and go over their cards. Yes, this has to be done properly and respectfully. You have to have a steward present, and you have to be okay if the judge does not agree to speak to you. And if they do, it will often be at the end of the show day.
Many judges have a teacher’s heart and would be happy to share what they saw from their perspective and why they scored you the way they did. The judges are not claiming to be better than your trainer. We do have the unique advantage of getting to watch the entire class, and we have no expectations of you as you enter the ring, other than we hope you will knock our socks off! Talking to the judge is a great way to get some unbiased feedback on that particular class. It may be the one thing that helps you make great strides forward in this sport, or you may not agree at all. As long as you are respectful and thankful for their feedback, judges will be more encouraged to accept requests to speak to them.
‘Ask the Judge’ sessions at shows, when time allows, are a great way to learn about judging. I would hope all of the trainers and riders who ask for transparent judging take advantage of those sessions, as well as encourage shows to host them. And I would love to see a way professionals could get the chance to sit with a judge to learn more. I always felt I became a better rider as I became a teacher, and I became a better exhibitor as I became a judge. It would have to be outside of the trainer’s area, and they would have to be very respectful, but an eye-opening experience for trainers who have never witnessed competition from that perspective.
And lastly, despite human errors and personal opinions, take note of the results of the class, not the scores (if announced). The scores are all relative to each class, so of course can be confusing. Be realistic about the quality of your round and any mistakes that may have been made. And as always, have fun! Love your horse! Enjoy the ride! Don’t forget why we are doing this in the first place!” -Amy Owen Center
“I hear over and over that Equine Studies degrees are not worth it, and I disagree 100%! I have an Equestrian Studies degree from Lake Erie College, I taught for six years in the Equine Studies program at Centenary College, and I coached in the IHSA for over 35 years. I currently host the Riding in College podcast and am amazed each year at the brilliant courses that are being taught in various programs around the country. These programs are providing information and experience for the whole future equine professional. Times have changed in the industry since I was a student over forty years ago, and these degrees are changing with it.” -Sally Batton
“I disagree with people who say East Coast riders ride better than West Coast riders. That has never been true; the best riders on the West Coast can be competitive with riders anywhere in the world. Results prove it.” -Susan Hutchison
