I have a concern about stable trainer and people. Any advise?

Question

I'm getting my first pony, (I'm an adult.), and i have found a stable to put her at but i have some concerns. The trainer who will be working with he for a couple of lessons a month seems very agressive (she's retired miltiary.). I'm afraid she will try to boss me around. This my first pony and like with anything their are some things i know and other things I don't know. How do i keep my pony being mine without letting others jump in an control what I do with my pony? Will i want advise sure, but i don't want other women jumping in and bossing me around telling me what to do like its their pony, how do i keep this from happening? I don't want this problem to ruin my first eperience. One thing i think to help myself is to have all my own supplies and tack and not use the trainers, i think that using other people's supplies opens a door to let them into your life is this true? Can someone give me adivse that has spent alot of time around stables and barn people?

Answer 1

You should definitely get your own tack and supplies!!!

  I ran a  (38 horses) stable for year's...Take the good ADVICE and ignore the rest.

If you are already uneasy about the trainer...hold off on that .

                          HAVE FUN & ENJOY YOUR HORSE !

Answer 2

If you do not feel comfortable with the trainer than it is not a good idea to board and work with her. You need to remember that your horse will feel the anomosity between you two:( You are never going to always see eye to eye with every trainer you go to, the object is to learn as much as you can from at least a few different trainers dont limit your self to one, if you dont like something you are in control and can leave it:)

Number one though you need to make sure you are comfortable with the stable you are at. The next thing is find trainers that work naturally with the horses - you want them to work with you and your horse and not MAKE you two do anything.  Having your own equipment would be a plus, it is not cheap to get started but you can find nice used "broke in" stuff at reasonable prices. I didnt require my boarders to have there own equipment if they borrowed from me they had to check it out from the barn. That was no big deal and I was not "in their life" so to say I just had the extra equipment available that I didnt mind lending out.

I hope you find a trainer/stable you are comfortable with, I know if you find this you will not have to worry about them bossing you around. You will be worrying about how quick you can get in with them for your next lesson:)

Let us know how it turns out!!

Take Care

Answer 3

Your trainer maybe stern, but she's the expert. Listen to her! My trainer screams at me sometimes, but I think she's the best thing since sliced bread. She knows her stuff, so I take it all to heart. I'm the one learning. Sometimes they are loud because they have to make themselves understood for your own safety. All in all she's a very sweet person and a great friend. It's just all business in the arena though. Don't take it personal, it's just training. I'm an Army vet, so it's no big deal to me. That's the way I'm used to being trained.

Answer 4

You should definitely get your own tack and supplies.

Once you're there a while, you will learn the routines of the barn better.  If you want to ride in peace, go at times when there are fewer people around, or maybe even better, go when all the know-it-alls are having their lesson with the agressive trainer!  They'll be occupied with each other and won't have time to focus on you.

Answer 5

OMG! I am the same way! but she isnt in the milatary... I was working a pony camp for the stable owner and a bridle was screwed up and she fired me... on the first day!!! so i would get to know her better before you work for her.

Answer 6

Don't have her work with your pony at all.  The moment you allow her to be in a position to tell you how things should be done, you've already given away much of what you fear losing.  If you already feel this way about her, it won't get better if you open that door and invite her in, so to speak.

I've boarded at many barns over 50 some years..training barns, lesson barns, private boarding facilities, etc.  I smell a problem in the making.

ADD...I've also worked with many trainers and instructors...after awhile you develop radar for the ones whose personalities just won't meld with your own.  You have instincts that, if you pay attention to them, will warn you when something doesn't feel right.  I believe in my instincts and my experience is that when I don't follow them, problems usually follow.  Do what your instincts tell you to do.

Answer 7

Your advice is not just applicable to the stable and pony situation. It's to learn how to stand up for yourself and not let anyone - anytime - boss you around.

When and if she does, thank her for her advice, but tell her you would like to do things your way. If you don't know about something don't be so foolish as to ignore what she  tells you. If you do know what you are doing, go ahead and do it your way.

You're paying this woman. She works for YOU. As long as you are not breaking barn rules, you don't have to listen to her.

But if you want to learn how to care for your pony, you may want t listen to her and consider what she says.

That doesn't mean she is entitled to bully you. You have the right to tell her if she is being a bit overbearing, and you can do it by letter if it is hard for you to do it face to face.

Being timid isn't going to work if your pony has any spirit either. You have to learn to be firm, stand your ground, and not be afraid to make waves. You're just as good as anybody, and please remember  that! Good luck, and I hope everything turns out fine. You can always move to another stable if it does not.

Answer 8

What I would say regarding this situation is that I would not board a horse anywhere that I'm not comfortable!  Having just taken a fall on Sunday, I was SO GLAD when I knew I was somewhere where I knew that I would be taken care of!  Fortunately, all I needed was a drink of water, and a cool washcloth to wipe my face with, but I would HIGHLY recommend that you find somewhere that if you were seriously injured that you knew the people around you could and would care enough to take care of you!!  

As far as other people's advice, well, it is your horse, so they can't MAKE you do what you don't want to do.  I would say as a new horse owner myself that it is great to have a lot of people around to ask their opinion, and do listen.  There is so much to be learned!!!

Answer 9

Don't board your pony at a place you don't like.  If working with an aggresive trainer isn't your style, find a different trainer.  You need to be polite around the barn, but you also need to remember that you are a paying customer and deserve respect.

Answer 10

I would definintly get your own tack. It is expensive but you will probably have to get it sooner or later. You also cannot always trust the stuff you need will be there or fit. As for being bossed around, I cant help much. Do you have the ability to bring a different trainer in a few times a month or trailer to another barn to train?

Answer 11

Hello,

Well, you have a right to be concerned!  I can tell you as horse owner and my family that rodeos that horse people are the first to but in and give their opinion!

My family has been VERY lucky, that we have NEVER had to board at a facility.  BUT, we have LOTS of experience in boarding stables.  We actually were in charge of a weekly buckle series and pot luck for years at one stable in particular and off and on at another stable too.

You are going to get an ear full that is for certain!  But, I like to store away everyones different opinions for future reference.  It can come in handy.  It is just NOT my cup of tea to have so many people that we encountered think their ways and ideas were the only way.  I am very open minded, but I must admit I did avoid several of the boarders because they got under my skin.

IF you don't have a connection with the trainer at this new barn  FOR heaven sakes KEEP on LOOKING for a new barn!!!!  YOUR right on the money now, if you are AFRAID she will spoil it for you!  REMEMBER that this new trainer is working for you!  AND you deserve a GREAT start with out concern.  

I am blessed that we have always been able to keep our own horses at our ranch.  BUT, I was equally blessed to find a WONDERFUL trainer to teach my kids how to ride!  HE is kind, patient, and TRULEY a people person and was the best find ever!  He taught our 2 oldest girls NOT only how to ride properly, but how to be great horsemen.  BOTH of our girls are now 1D barrel racers and EXCELLENT riders because of him!

KEEP on looking!!!!!!!!