GoHorseShow had an overwhelming response to Darla Lee’s first article on the Top Ten Best Ways to Be A Better Client. The next article deals with the responsibilities of the trainer, and Lee provides some honest, simple, and clear ways for a trainer to improve their ways to communicate with their clients. We are hopeful that these tips will be helpful and beneficial to you.
Top Ten Ways to be A Better Trainer
- Communication–This goes both ways so it’s number one on the trainer list also. The WORST thing you can do is make decisions on a horse without contacting the customer. Sometimes they may not want to hear what you are saying if it is bad news, but it’s your job to make sure they understand what is going on at all times.
- Don’t make promises unless you can keep them–A terrible mistake a trainer can make is to promise a client success. We all get excited when we get a really nice horse but one sure fire way to fail is to promise big and perform small. It is better to tell the customer their horse is very nice and could be capable of great things but don’t promise. They will only be unhappy if things don’t go just the way you said they would.
- Don’t talk about clients to other clients–Everyone has a right for their business to be private. Customers will bait trainers to find out information about other clients. Don’t let it tempt you. Even if you are upset with a certain customer, bite your lip, it will only make things worse in the barn for everyone to know everyone’s business.
- Do more than is expected–This is advice you can give for any job. Always try to exceed your client’s expectations.
- Stay Organized–It’s hard for customers to figure out a program if there is no program. Try to be consistent in billing, horse show prep, routines and what you expect from the clients. Make sure horses are shod on time, stalls are booked, horses are entered properly. This is all under the guidelines of the trainer. Even if you just delegate, make sure you are consistent.
- Treat everyone equally–This is a very hard thing to do, but make sure everyone gets their time to be with you. When they are all paying the same, they expect to be treated equally.
- Work Hard--No one likes a lazy horse trainer.
- Understand clients love their horses—Everyone has their own barn rules but just remember clients LOVE their horses. Sometimes they just want to pet them and spend time with them, and, yes, sometimes give them treats. You should accept this in moderation! Let them enjoy their animals.
- Take amazing care of their horses–This seems easy but all too often horses are just not taken care of well. Clients will be quicker to be upset about their horse looking skinny, not shod, dirty or just plain unattended. You are more likely to lose a customer for this than to lose one for not winning in the show pen!
- Be Positive–It’s great to be hard on your customers so they become better, but, remember, everyone needs some positive feedback to stay motivated. Make sure you point out all the good things that are happening as well as the bad. Your attitude will be reflected right back at you through your customers.
