Horse Training Job/Life Changes

[Reinmaker]

I have been involved with horses my whole life pretty much. I took a break for a while when I was getting my career(outside horses) started after college.

When I was younger all I wanted to do was ride horses, and be a trainer. I started working for a pro trainer when I was 15 learning everything I could and helping break out horses he got in for training. During HS I owned my own reiner and showed him all over. In my family education was a big priority so I went to college. Then I got a "real job". HAHA

Anyway, I said that to say that my first love has always been horses and training. However, I took more of the traditional route and went to college got a job and then started my own business last year.

Now I have the opportunity to do what I really love. I have been offered a position to be a full time assistant to probably the top NRHA and NRCHA trainer in Florida. He is a carded judge in both associations, has a barn full of nice horses in training, and has been listed in the top 40 professionals for reining multiple years.

So now I have to try to decide if I want to transition out of my business, sell the house and move to follow my dream of being a professional reining horse, and cow horse trainer.

I know that I could go out and train horses right now. I could have done that years ago, but I didn't want to just train horses. If I do it I want to be at the top of the game, training good horses for reining and cow horse and competing at the top shows. I wanted to work with someone who could help me position myself to do so. Who I would have the opportunity to ride and show some top horses, learn from someone who has been there and done it at the highest levels. I now have that chance and I think I am going to take it, but it is a pretty big transition and I just need to make a good decision.

[WashingtonBay]

Is your current business something that you can return to when you're 45? Or will you be dated if you don't stay in it now? I think opportunities to ride and train, particularly for big names in your sport are terrific adventures for the young and I would definitely not turn it down. ... but don't give up the 'practical planning' either. By the time you hit middle age, you've probably got to either transition back to something else, or be in a position where you can own your own training operation that hires the young bodies to get the bruises. You need to decide in the next year or two if you're good enough to become the man you'll be learning from now, and where will the cash to fund such an operation come from.

[Reinmaker]

I agree. That is something that I have thought about and something I spoke to him specifically about. If I didn't think I could become the man and I hadn't gotten the vote of confidence from him that he was sure I could "do it" then I wouldn't be considering it.

I told him pointedly that my desire was to learn for a couple years and then have my own operation. That was the point I was making on why I haven't just gone out and started a training business in the past. I could take in problem horses or colts needing starting and have no problem finding clients to do that for. I have more experience in that than most trainers around here and have worked for some good trainers that would recommend me. However, that is not what I want to do ultimately. This will give me the opportunity to get the exposure I need in the disciplines I want to do. It will allow me to work with good horses bred for the job and learn from someone who is showing all over the country in the big shows. Most importantly it will give me an opportunity to show. To make a name for yourself you have to show, so people can see you compete and ride in that venue. It is very hard to get the horses good enough to show at that level when you haven't been able to show at that level(professionally), if ya know what I mean. So riding for someone and getting to work with that caliber of horse will open that door.

I could always come back and do what I have done for the past 7 years.

[gaited07]

I can not help you with that decision but can only offer follow your dreams and keep the future in focus. Unfortunately the future creeps up on us faster than we expect.

Good luck in whatever decision you choose.:)

Can you do both?

[WashingtonBay]

Well, then I would say go for it and good luck!

[dame_wolf]

Is your current business something that you can return to when you're 45? Or will you be dated if you don't stay in it now? I think opportunities to ride and train, particularly for big names in your sport are terrific adventures for the young and I would definitely not turn it down. ... but don't give up the 'practical planning' either. By the time you hit middle age, you've probably got to either transition back to something else, or be in a position where you can own your own training operation that hires the young bodies to get the bruises. You need to decide in the next year or two if you're good enough to become the man you'll be learning from now, and where will the cash to fund such an operation come from.

Very well said WB.



Sounds to me like you are being handed your dream on a silver platter. But as WB said when you are 45+ years old are you going to be in the position to be listed in the top 40 professionals, have your own training 'empire' and youngsters to do the dirty work, or are you going to have to go back to your 'non-horsey' business? Will you be able to go back if training doesn't work out? That would be my main question if I were you, can I go back or not? If you can go back and jump right in then I say go for it, don't even hesitate! If you will be dated and behind the times then sit down and decided how much your dream and pursuing it means to you.

No one knows the future or what it will bring. Good luck in whichever venture you choose.

[dame_wolf]

I was typing when you posted answers to my questions for you. I say go for it!!!

[Vacker Hast]

The only dilemma I would have in this decision is if you had children because that would be a priority in this move. If that is not the case then just do it ... this kind of oppertunity to make your dreams come true doesn't come around for most of us for one reason or another and it's right there in your hands GO FOR IT!!!

You are educated with a good head on your shoulders and would go all the way with this life change and make the very best of it for as long as you could. Some day we may be watching you on T.V. or buying your training video's!!!

Stacy

[Reinmaker]

I don't have kids.

[Vacker Hast]

I don't have kids.

Then go for it lol it's just that simple!!! No dilemma ... just do it lol!!! ;)

Stacy

[WashingtonBay]

Some day we may be watching you on T.V. or buying your training video's!!!

Stacy

Yeah - as long as he doesn't give everything really silly names. I'm not buyin any Wonder Wands[tm]. :D

[Vacker Hast]

Yeah - as long as he doesn't give everything really silly names. I'm not buyin any Wonder Wands[tm]. :D

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Tens Legacy]

With the information you've given and no children sounds like it was made for you. I hope you won't let this opportunity pass you buy, because as you know, we never regreat what we did we only regreat what we didn't try. Good luck!!!

[missyfritz]

I think it sounds like the perfect plan. It's not every day that an opportunity like this comes along, so make the most of it! I say go for it.

[lovesfortune]

I agree with everyone else. Sounds like you have really thought about it and planned for the future and this is the chance of a lifetime! GO FOR IT! Can't wait to hear updates!

[outriding01]

I know kind of how you feel. I'm a senior in college and have been pretty much out of horses since I started college because in my family there is no other choice but college and a job. Not to say I would have skipped college, but I considered staying in Tampa, going to a community college and continuing my riding and training and my parents wouldn't hear of it. So I went away and tried an NCAA team and it was not for me at all. Now I'm UF and trying out for their team out of sheer desperation for lack of horse contact. I back baby warmbloods in Tampa on the weekends and exercise other horses, but I miss competing. Now my goal is just to graduate with a major that will get me a job that pays enough for me to have horses for the rest of my life.
If someone offered me a chance like that, especially after I had finished my degree, there'd be little thought put into it for me. It would be like the heavens opened up and light shone down on me and a booming voice said "Go forth and ride!" End of story. And if in the end, it didn't work out, I'd just be grateful to have had the best time of my life.

[JennyandJosey]

I have to agree with everyone else. Go for it. Not many get an opportunity like that.

[Bessie13]

Go for it and let us know how it goes :). Best of luck.

[gabhainn]

Not to just go along with everybody else, I have to say go for it. You and I seem to be a lot alike in how we think, and I would have killed for an opportunity like that 10 years ago. Time has a way of getting away from us and before you know it you are looking back instead of forward. I feel like this sometimes, while at 40 I dont feel like my life is behind me. I do know that there are things I cant do as well as I could 10 years ago. I certainly know that it takes longer to heal.
If the career you have now is one you can step back into in say 15 years, you have your safety net. If things all go perfectly you will never need to look back.
I wish you luck, and if in a few years you need a rider give me a call...........Kevin

[mare]

Do it. Have fun.

[zoel_222]

I would go for it. That would be my dream come true. :D But only you can know what decision is best for you. Good luck in whatever you choose. :)

[Miracle Whip]

There is always the issue of land, and facilities. I know a trainer in his 40's. he inherited his facility from his parents. He rides 12 - 15 horses a day if not more. Its like an assembly line, has 2 assistants tacking up horses for him, hosing them down, blanketing, etc etc. I don't know if he gets much joy from it. He is an Arabian trainer and he rides 10 minutes in a circle one direction and then 10 minutes the other direction. Thats it. Hopefully with reining, you'd have more variety in your training methods.

There is a very very good western pleasure trainer here, and she recently went to school to be a farrier, to supplement her income. The economy isn't helping much. She does not have her own facility. There are some SMALL stables that are owned by trainers but most trainers are barn managers.. I'd look at your retirement fund and talk to a good financial planner now.

[Rabid_Raccoon]

Go for it! This sounds like an awesome experience that could change your life... and I have a feeling if you didn't try it, you would regret it. You've got some awesome advice here, and all I can do is echo it. I wish you the best of luck with this :) I've leared enough from reading what you write on this forum to know that anyone who has their horse trained by you is lucky.

[TheBadLands]

I've been lookin around and noticed somethin..after you reach a certain level of talent, and a many have that talent, the decideing factor is ambition
- Janis Joplin

"The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore." –Dale Carnegie

“Why should I hold back now and sound mediocre just so I can sound mediocre twenty years from now?”
Janis Joplin

“If I hold back, I'm no good. I'm no good. I'd rather be good sometimes, than holding back all the time.”
Janis Joplin


Good Luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

You are a true talent.

[Petra]

it may seem like a big transition, but i'm sure if you don't take it you will not forgive yourself for the rest of your life.
you said it yourself - it's something you have been dreaming of.

when i decided to come to us i had above average job, and i would have been ok if i stayed. i would have dreams that would never come true. throwing away everything and starting all over again was the hardest thing i've ever done.
the satisfaction of making the right move and being able to do something you have always dreamt of is so worth all the effort.

[oursarge]

As long as you have something to fall back on then go for it.

Last summer a good friend of ours was in the same position. She was offered the job of her dreams training the type of horses she loves. Luckily she didn't sell her house because when she moved to where her dream job was it turned out not to be a dream job. Things fell apart fast. The people she had a good relationship with before turned out they didn't really want a trainer they wanted someone to order around and do the things they didn't want to do. She did about no training which was what she was hired for. The whole situation is very sad because they are no longer even friends. She has since moved back home. She had kids though, her kids hated where they moved so they moved back home to live with their father while she stayed to try to work things out but they didn't work out she ended up training in a different facility until she could move back home. That is just her story though and if she didn't try it she would be sorry she didn't go for her dream. It just didn't happen to work out but for you it might be the best thing you ever did. Good Luck.

I forgot to say she moved across the country with 11 horses and 2 kids so it was a big deal, very sad it didn't work out but she followed her dream, it just didn't work but for you it might be the best thing you ever did. I think everyone should follow their dreams.

[farmers_wife]

Life is short and if that is what you want and love to do then do it. I remember growing up ( I still am :))
I was asked what I wanted to do and I wanted to be a horse trainer. But never happened. So I wish you the best of luck in whatever decision you make.

[Dakota Sunrise]

It sounds like an amazing oppurtunity, one that I would take in a heartbeat if I had your horse skills and ability. I definately say go for it.:) You only live once and life is short. Do what you love.:)

[Reinmaker]

Yeah - as long as he doesn't give everything really silly names. I'm not buyin any Wonder Wands[tm]. :D

:hysterical: That's a good one. I can promise you if there ever were a DVD made it would be instructional training on the ends and outs of teaching reining manuevers. There will only be simple tack used that anyone can buy at any good tack store. ;) But hey if someone wants to put my name on a saddle someday, well I think I will just have to go along with it. :)


Thanks to everyone else for the encouraging words. I do feel like it is something I will regret if I don't at least make a good run at it. It dang sure never feels like work when I am riding or working on the ranch. Been that way since I got my first job on one when I was 15. I just like everything about it. I really can't think of a better way to make a living.

Logistically it will be somewhat difficult to make the transition because of the house(housing market stinks in Fl) and the wife's job. We are going to figure it out though.

MW, that is good advice. Being that my career has been centered around insurance and finance for the past 7 years I am well aware of the importance of financial planning. I can also assure you that there is quite a bit more than doing circles each direction when training a reining horse or a working cow horse. HAHA

Oursarge, that is terrible what happened with your friend. I know a few bad stories myself of "assistants" being treated like mules and not having the opportunity they believed they would. Fortunately I know this trainer very well and have been riding for him for a while now, just a day or two a week as a volunteer(so I could maintain my non-pro status). We are going to work in to it with me starting to work for him PT a few days a week and really get a feel for how things will go. He has been very generous in letting me ride. I have ridden every horse he has in training. He already has me come on weekends when he is away at shows and ride all the horses and train on them. He knows my level of ability and leaves me to do as I please when he is away. I have a good understanding of what my responsibilities, duties and opportunities will be. If I didn't I wouldn't be thinking of making the move. I also don't have to move across the country. It is only a couple hours from where I am now and closer to my hometown that I grew up in where all my family is.

Dakota, I don't personally own any horses right now, so that makes it easier. My riding for the past year has consisted of horses this trainer has in training.

[Me'N'Chic]

You're young, may never have the chance again, we never even know if we have tomorrow--so I agree; it's your dream so GO FOR IT!

[AppyLover]

You should never go through life with regrets. Go for it. Everything sounds like it was made for you to jump into it. And this is coming from someone who is having to kick doors down to follow her dreams. This door has flown open for you, walk through it. You sound more than capable of landing on your feet no matter how this turns out. One way or another I am sure you will come out on top.

[All4Grace]

7 years ago I moved away from my family to work on a breeding farm. It was what I thought, going to be my dream job, I'd get to work/train and learn about breeding have a place for my boy and be independent from my family for the first time.

It lasted 6 months. I learned a lot but not about what I had hoped. While it didn't work out for me... I never regretted trying it. If another opportunity presented itself, I'd probably go for it. I have no kids and no husband, there for it is easy for my to just up and try something.

If your wife agrees and you work out all the kinks I also say GO FOR IT! :-D If 6 months later you are back where you started at least you can say you tried and you won't regret it for the rest of your life.

[quest]

Just make sure you know what your getting into. My friend is an apprentice trainer at Green Valley Ranch, they have yet to put her on a horse and she's been there since May. Some of the other people who just got there are riding though. They needed someone to tack up and she does a good job so even though she is supposed to be learning to train, she has been there almost five months and still hasn't got on. I don't know exactly what position you will be having, but make sure its the type of position you want to put yourself in, make sure you WILL get to ride and train and gain the skills you need for your own barn, make sure you WILL eventually get to show, etc.

[Reinmaker]

Quest see my last post. I got that covered. In short I will be an assistant trainer, and will be riding daily, and showing.

I am familiar with Green Valley and the Winegar's. Sometimes you have to pay your dues, but 5 months and not one ride, ouch. There are quite a few places that take advantage of their help/apprentices.

[vicklynn]

Reinmaker, which ever direction you go, I wish you and your wife the best.

[Bessie13]

Good luck to you whatever you decide. Where is it you are planning to move to? Just curious. My DIL has a friend who works as an assistant at a western pleasure/reining training facility in the Gainesville area. I agree with the others, don't go thru life with regrets. If you can do it.. then just do it. Take the chance.

[quest]

Well, if that's how it will go, it sounds like a good opportunity if that's your dream:)

My friend is a very hard worker but is quite frustrated- but it isn't the Winegars that decide whether or not she gets to ride, it's their trainer; Bret?