For those of us who have spent any amount of time in the horse industry, we’ve likely come across a wide variety of horse trainers. Even those of us who do it all on our own have had help at some point.
It takes a certain kind of individual to be a great horse trainer. Not only do they need to know how to ride, but they need to know how to handle their clients. Some succeed at this – while others fall short. Eventually, we find the coveted perfect fit. Every trainer we have along the way impacts not only our riding, but also how we look at ourselves and the world.
When given the opportunity to address every trainer I’ve ever had, I might say something like this…
My First Trainer
Thank you to my first trainer for being so, so patient. You taught me how to hold my reins and to look where I was going. You reminded me to put my heels down and sit up…a lot. You taught me how to “rise and fall with the leg on the wall.”
While I have long moved away from your program, I can still hear an echo of you reminding me to smile every time I went in the show pen. You helped me buy my first horse, which was no easy feat. I know I wanted the prettiest one in the pasture, but you taught me that the color of a horse is not what is the most important.
Ultimately, the horse you paired me up with was not the most glamorous, but the lessons this horse taught me still resonate with me. The most important thing you gave me, though, was the confidence in knowing that falling off was not the end of the world, so long as I get back on.
The Not-So-Great Trainers
Thank you to the trainer who doubted me. I left so many lessons with you convinced that I would never succeed. I tried to fit myself and my horse into your program, and it wasn’t the right fit. That’s not to say it was all bad. We had some great memories and I accomplished a lot during my time with you.
You may have been a good fit at that time, but eventually we grew apart. Looking back, though, I realize that I did not have the self worth I have for myself and my horse now that I had while I was under your guidance. Your harsh words and negativity have fueled my fire and inspired me to never give up.
The Trainer Who Wasn’t Mine
To the trainers who were not my own, thank you for setting a good example. There are so many great trainers I have seen working with clients at shows. I learned a long time ago that a lot can be gained from sitting on the rail.
Watching a trainer work with a young child, for example, always leaves me with a smile on my face. Seeing a novice amateur finally figure out a difficult part of a pattern may give me some ideas on how to overcome my own weaknesses. These trainers may or may not know I am watching, but I am sure to note their positivity and professionalism.
The “Perfect” Trainer
Thank you to the “perfect” trainer. While I know everyone has their flaws, your program was the ideal fit for myself and my horse. It took me a long time to find a program that fit, and I could not be more thankful. You saw potential in myself and my horse when I couldn’t. You taught me how to properly set goals, and how to achieve them.
I never thought I would say this, but thank you for making me drop my stirrups. This taught me that the results that come from hard work are worth a few days of leg pain. The perseverance and determination I have gained in the show pen have begun to become a part of my daily life.
As we move through our riding careers, we will come in contact with many trainers; some great, some not so great. The key is to learn what we can from each one and constantly try to improve ourselves along the way. Finding a trainer that will stick with you and do what they can to help you follow your dreams is no easy feat. However, when you find that individual, you will be eternally thankful for all of the others along the way.
