Should the horse trainer be charged for board?

Question

If I am training the owner of the facility's horses, (6) so that they are acceptable for the show ring and for the many children taking riding lessons on them should I have to pay board for my own horses who are also used in the lesson program to make the owner money?

Yes, she pays me a salary, but is also wanting me to pay board for both my horses while she uses them in her money-making lesson program..

Is this how it's done everywhere?

Answer 1

Most sign a contract so there is not problems, if you are getting a salary and haven't been paying all along then no, but if this is new and how she wants it done, site back down at the bargain table and hash it out before you move.  If you are already there, and she wants you to know pay, then increase your salary:)  Best of luck

Answer 2

personally i think the trainer should get a discount but should still    

have to pay for boarding.  :)

Answer 3

If you are paying FULL board, she has no right to use them unless you've made that agreement with her. If she is giving you discounted board, she may assume that the discount is in exchange for use of the horses. You should talk it out with her and get an agreement in writing to avoid misunderstandings.

Answer 4

Here is the plan.  You pay the board for your horses keep.  Then whoever uses your horses pays you a fee as well.

Answer 5

Every situation is different, and this is the type of agreement that needs to be made ahead of time and in writing.

Right now, I lease all my stalls at a flat rate. Anyone who comes in for training pays my board and training rate to me. The owner of the barn keeps one horse with me. She pays board and training.

In the past, I've worked for people where I've just had one or two stalls, and they've run the rest of the barn. Sometimes I was given a break on board, sometimes not. But it's difficult if not impossible to change the arrangement in the middle of it. Also, I've found in the past that when I get a salary or hourly wage and pay board separately, I make far more than if we were to comp the board.

The one thing that complicates your arrangement with the owner is that she uses your horses for lessons. I've never heard of a situation like this where the owner isn't given some type of discount or a percentage of the lessons. Do you also make money off the lessons with your horses?

In any case, if you're really unhappy with the situation, you might want to sit down with the owner and discuss the reasons why. If things don't improve, you might consider moving your own horses some place else. While it's convenient having them at the same barn you work at, I find mixing business with personal matters is a recipe for disaster. Someone always feels taken advantage.

Answer 6

Usually you may have to pay but less than what others pay, especially if SHE is using your horses for HER program. Are you getting a % of the lesson fee that are done on your horses? Your horse should be earning 1/3 of the price of the lesson.

Answer 7

plain and simple...get a contract...you train her horses and recieve your salary. She uses your private horses that you pay full board on for her program...you receive a fee per each time the horse is in use or a flat monthly fee.

I boarded at a place in FL and the lady asked if she could use my horse in her lessons program...but she was right up front and said I could get half my boarding free for a certain amount of lessons per day, so many days a week. I said yes and she made a contract. I signed it and since I was under 18, my dad signed it also. So yea, you should be recieved compensation for the use of your private horses.

Answer 8

well... you should get a significant amount off your board... i would take off at least half if your horses are doing a lot of lessons... or charge her for their use... you don't HAVE to let her use them

Answer 9

It depends on the terms of your employment. I have seen at some places, board for one horse included as part of the compensation package for staff. I have also seen discounted board for those that allow their horses to be used in lessons.

I don't think you should have to pay full board if your horses are used for lessons, but you might want to check your employment contract if you have one to see what it says. If you don't have one, now might be the time to negotiate one.

Answer 10

my trainer/friend worked her way up from leasing barns for her horses to owning a barn, yes the trainer should pay for the horses they are using, it's considered leasing a horse if you use it. ect.

so yeah if a trainer wants to use your horse/s for a training/lesson program where other's are using the horse to learn and they're paying the trainer, then the trainer should pay for the horse being used if it's not their horse.

Answer 11

Well if you're having to pay full board on your horses and she uses them, then NO, she should pay you a fee for using your horses.  What you decide to charge her is between the two of you.  Tell her working her horses is one thing, but using your horses without you being compensated is a whole different matter.  Now if she wants to knock off some of your board for the two of them, then that's a different matter.  

Ask her how would she feel if you were using her facilities and also giving lessons and not paying you a fee for using them?  Of course some trainers don't have to pay a fee because they bring business to the barn...  Don't tell her that!

Answer 12

well, if you WEREN'T the trainer, and she was using your horses for lessons, she would have to reduce the board (how much depends on how many lessons/how hard/how long etc)

but since you are the trainer, shes paying you.. so you can have some of your paycheck go to the reduced board, (so you never see the money) or have her give it to you, to give to her.

Now of course, if your horses are full on schoolies, doing 3-4 one hour long lessons a day, then you shouldn't have to pay any/much board, but if they are used for 2 advanced students who ride twice a week, then its not as much of a reduction.

Answer 13

You are paying board for two of your horses which are stabled at a lesson school at which you are employed as a trainer for horses owned by your employer and your employer is using your two horses as riding lesson horses. Do I understand that correctly? If that is correct, I am wondering how you allowed that to get started without being compensated for the hourly use of your horses?

I have managed to eake out a meager living by boarding horses for very near 30 years and before retiring to my own pleasures I supplemented that by selling riding instruction for more than 20 years and for most of those years I was charging $275 for 10 lessons. That $275 included use of one of my horses and my instruction fee, and there have been occasions during glory years when I would have a particularly heavy lesson schedule during summer months when I didn't have enough horses and would rent suitable horses from my boarders to use as lesson horses. And I of course compensated those boarders when I did that, usually $15 an hour which I would either pay them in cash or deduct from their boarding fee.

Of course you should be compensated! if your employer is using your horses for lesson horses.

Answer 14

I think you need to establish what your training fee is...in doing so, you'll have to adhere to a training schedule of some sort.  You also need to establish your fee for use of your horses in lessons...either a set fee, or on a per lesson basis.

When you work for somebody else, their profits are really none of your concern.  She runs the business..you work for her.  I don't know if you are an independent contractor, or if you are an actual employee?  It makes a difference.

Your tax status is at issue when you are an independent contractor, so you need to look into it if you haven't.  You don't mention how insurance issues are handled. Liability issues are huge...especially when you own horses being used for lessons.  You need to know what liability coverage she provides....her insurance cost may be through the roof, which impacts what she can pay you.  And if you aren't covered, you need to be.  

It sounds as if your arrangement may be loosely defined, and needs some fine tuning...it is business, and it's important to know the laws that apply.

EDIT....since nobody else is addressing it, I am gonna add more on the liability.  If one of those students is injured riding your horse at her barn, that student's health insurance company will sue both of you.  Your personal assets will be fair game and you could lose your car, your home, etc.  The legal liability issue is so important...you should consult an attorney to be sure you are protected.

Answer 15

Most trainers I know pay rent....If you're working with the owners horses and have a swap out in your time for board then that's a little different.  You need to figure out your percentage on the swap out....what's fair or the going rate.....Many trainers may have only one of the barn owner's horses training....there'll be a swap out plus some money.

If she's making money off your horses, then she owes you....it's between the two of you to determine how much or what's fair.