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 do you do when a new client moves in and they are riding an inappropriate horse for their goals?
Here are their answers:
“This is a tricky situation. Most importantly, an honest assessment and communication is at the forefront. This needs to be done while still showing respect to all involved. A rider not mounted appropriately for goals can be dangerous, time wasting, and in the end often more expensive. The path to success is delicate, an educated plan is essential. ” -Missy Jo Hollingsworth
“This is always a tough call. I would like to have the conversation before they move in if possible. I like to sit down with people and ask more questions and try to figure out what their goals are both in the short term, present—6 to 9 months, and for the following years. I think this helps to make their goals less intimidating and most often, more attainable. After this, we can discuss the horse(s) needed to obtain these goals.” -Christopher Mitchell
Read more Trainer Tuesday answers from Christopher here.
“I would try to get to know the client a little and figure out the best approach to talk to them about it. I’d try to lay out the good qualities of the horse and gently explain why they aren’t going to excel in the discipline of choice, then if they seemed receptive to it, I’d offer to help them find a new discipline or a new horse.
The horses’ well-being is top priority for me, so I’d hope that any new clients who already had a horse when they come to me would be open to coming up with new goals that were more suited to the horse they have.
I did have a client last year, however, who bought a horse without discussing it with me first and when the horse came in it was clearly very underweight and lame. When I told her I didn’t think she should ride the horse until she gained weight and we figured out her soundness issues, she promptly moved.” -Kevy Gostlin
“When a client arrives with a horse that fails to suit the goals of its owner/rider, then the only recourse is to have a candid, honest discussion about different possibilities. Unfortunately, too many trainers use this excuse to sell horses, which only results in upset clients and bad reputations.
One of the first questions I always ask is ‘why do you ride?’ One would be surprised by the answers. Too many riders set goals that may be unrealistic, but it does not mean they cannot improve. The best answer is: ‘because I love to ride my horse,’ not ‘because I want to win.’ Winning is a result of hard work and dedicated practice. If a rider isn’t having fun, then ask them that question.” -Scott Keller
Read more Trainer Tuesday answers from Scott here.
“The first thing I would do is have a private discussion with the client about what their real goals are. Sometimes people will say things to try to fit in – i.e. if everyone else shows, they might feel pressure to say they want to show, when they really don’t.
Once I have a clear understanding of what their goals are, I would ride the horse myself for a solid week and do a complete assessment of what the horse can and cannot do. Then I would assess if I have any ‘out’ options for the client if I really feel the match is inappropriate for their goals. For example – is it too much horse for an amateur but I have a Jr/YR that would take on a lease?
Then I have another conversation with the client to determine options, what they are willing or not willing to do (sell/lease/etc.), and next steps in training for the rider and the horse. Sometimes they are separated for a while to get things back on track for both of them.” -Linda Schultz
“I wouldn’t let them move in with an inappropriate horse in the first place. We don’t have any ‘inappropriate’ horses in this stable, and all the riders are able with the horses they are working. It seems manipulative to me, to get them in first, and then rearrange their riding life in a manner that will likely be upsetting and expensive. The best thing for me is to tell people all the bad news in the first 2 minutes if working together is to be considered. This policy is the case for all horse business, sales, and instruction.” -Jane Frizzell
