Whether you realize it or not, if you have a horse who had owners before you, then someone probably got him ready to be handled before you acquired him. The very important job of breaking horses and preparing them to accept riders falls in the capable and necessary hands of horse trainers.
It takes special people to do their jobs, because it involves a lot of difficult work and excellent communication skills. You’ll be amazed at how important horse trainers are to everyday horse riders like you.
What exactly do they do?
Horse trainers get horses ready to wear saddles and bridles, and also help them understand riding commands. They train horses to prepare for whatever field they’ll enter, whether it be racing, showing, police work or basic riding. As such, trainers need to help horses get used to humans feeding them, exercising them and ready for constant human contact. In short, the goal is to establish a relationship, so trainers must learn how to communicate in order to properly train horses.
What takes place during training?
Trainers assess behaviors and use different methods to get horses to respond. That might involve giving a snack or using some positive reinforcement when the horse responds properly. Trainers use a lot of physical contact as well as voice commands. Trainers observe nutrition, feeding and general health, though a veterinarian will handle the heavy details. Trainers also spend time with the people who will be handling the horse eventually, if possible. Those people may include jockeys or owners, so that they know how to the handle and care for a specific horse. They might even work with other horse trainers.
How does a person get into the field of horse training?
Experience is key, as is working under a good, solid, qualified horse trainer. If a young person is interested in entering this field, they’ll want to get plenty of practice with horses as a child. Whenever you’re not with the horse, do whatever you can to study them through books, videos and any learning tool. There are plenty of specialized academies and universities which can provide hands-on learning in an educational setting.
Are there dangers in what trainers do?
Absolutely. If a trainer is working with a difficult horse, there’s a much greater chance of being kicked, bitten or thrown in some way. Proper safety measures must be taken before even mounting a horse, so most trainers work with them on the ground first. It takes time to get to know the horse’s personality before trainers can move on to more advanced work.
Do horse trainers specialize in different areas?
Yes, trainers may specialize in equestrian disciplines, such as jumping, reining, dressage, taming, vaulting, polo, racing, rodeo and others. Most will focus on English or Western riding, then focus even further, and that may involve working with foremen, assistant trainers and barn managers.
Horse trainers are special people, and very important to the development of a horse. Most will contend that any horse is rideable, and only physical problems limit their training – not mental. A lot of love and patience will help a trainer endure with a horse until he’s ready for an owner.
