Thoughts for new trainers

So you think you've got what it takes to make it as a professional in the horse world, eh? 

Let's just make sure: you mean specifically that you want to participate in a profession where your competition will either have a) more money than you, b) better horses than you, c) better connections than you, and/or d) a more impressive show record than you? (If your answer at this point is, "meh, they'll drop out soon enough and my horses are just fine, thank you", skip ahead to next paragraph) (And if you don't think a show record matters, do me a favor and compare lists of medal finals winners with Nations Cup riders... see my point? I know what I'm talking about, because I've done my homework, thank you). And you want to participate seven days a week, working grueling hours doing manual labor that is often not intellectually stimulating before getting to ride? And you want to do this even though other adults outside the industry will treat you like an idiot? And again, you want to compete against people with so much money that they will never lift a pitchfork in their lives? Because this can be very disheartening when you're tired and sore, you've had a bad day and business is slow and you see your buddy, for whom business is equally slow, climb off their horse and fly away on their private plane. Okay, great. Just wanted to double check.

Now if you're like me, you grew up riding on a local circuit. A good local circuit, but a local circuit nonetheless. You may have even learned a thing or two about your horse aside from riding him, good for you. I hope that you learned a whole lot more than just how to clean stalls and braid, because these skills will be your saving grace.

Now, if you're really really like me and you moved far away from home to work for some serious heavy-lifting professional who you're convinced will help you achieve your horsey dreams, pay attention. Even if you haven't moved away from home and you're starting out as a pro working for your old trainer, pay attention. I want you to learn from my experiences, and from things I've seen happen around me, so you can go farther than I have and together we can ensure the future of the horse business.

Most importantly: The moment someone starts to put you down in a destructive way, LEAVE. Do so as quickly as possible. The world is full of positive, kind horse trainers who will not destroy your confidence, or your self-worth as a human being for that matter. Do not stay with anyone who abuses you as an employee. Trust me, the sooner you learn this lesson, the better off you will be. Do not make excuses for mean horrible people simply because they know more about horses than you; horrible people are horrible people and will never help elevate you to success. Horrible people are horrible because they will slowly wear you out then break you down until you feel worse about yourself than they do about themselves, which is how they make themselves feel better. If you're in a situation like this, listen to me and leave. Immediately. (If you're worried about getting another job, chances are other seasoned pros in the area know your boss is an abuser and will help you - just don't whine about it).

Please note: There is a difference between an abusive person and a stern person who pushes you to excel. If you are situated with the latter, count your lucky stars, believe in yourself, and get to work. This line of work is hard work, there are no short cuts, and if you don't believe in yourself, don't expect anyone else to either.

Second most important: Your reputation is your life. Build it mindfully and continually; think of it like a lifelong work in progress. And as you continue to mindfully build your reputation, protect it. Show up early and give your best, do this every day. Be honest with yourself. Do not ever lie, cheat, or steal to gain clients or find horses. Do not lie about sale prices to give yourself higher commissions. Do not involve more people in the sales process than is necessary. Do not abuse those around you when you are tired, hungry, and body sore. If you have employees, remember that everyone is human and give them breaks. Your success rests on your team's ability to function as a team; take care of your teammates and give them breaks. If you say you'll do something, do it. Put your horses first. But also take care of yourself, because nobody else will and you can't properly care for your horses, or your clients, if you haven't taken care of yourself. The worst reputation you can have in this business is a bad horseman (or woman). Good horsemen won't sell you good horses if they think you will shortcut their care. You will lose your best clients if word gets out that their trainer is a bad horseman, or if they think they are being cheated in any way. Pay your vendors. If you owe half the hay farmers in your area money, nobody is going to sell you hay. Do not take short cuts, don't even think about it. Take care of yourself, take care of your horses, take care of your people. In that order.

(While I'm on the subject: Older pros: your reputation as you age will increasingly rest on how much you help the younger generation of professionals. It looks really bad if you're the old pro in the area, whose body is breaking down still trying to show 10 horses at every outing, who has capable, hardworking assistants, but won't provide them with opportunities. People notice this. So trust the next generation, help us learn, and reward us by giving us opportunities once we've earned them. Remember that you too made a lot of mistakes on your way to becoming the accomplished, knowledgeable professional you are today. We know we aren't perfect, but not all of us are the entitled idiots you think we are and we will eventually burn out if we work and work and work for no opportunities. Lots of clients actually like to be in barns where they see young professionals blossoming. Our success is good for your business. And if you burn out the next generation of assistants, who will carry the horse business?)

To break out as a pro in the horse business, there are a couple options. Either you find clients and start by providing instruction, or you find horses and start by producing, selling, and/or riding them. Choosing the first option usually means that you've got to get clients from somewhere, which probably means you've poached a few from someone else (you've really got to have at least a skeletal program in place before you will attract beginner students). This, unfortunately, is a natural start to the business. Hopefully, you have someone in your corner who will give you extra horses to help you get your own clients. Even more hopefully, you live in an area where the horse business is a thriving industry and clients are easier to come by.

Choosing the second option means that you need financial support to, you know, feed and shoe your horses. Or, if you're lucky enough, you make it as a catch rider. You get visibility without having to pay the bills. Just make sure that whatever you're catch riding isn't going to try and kill you.