Trainers, is this project worth it?

Question

I was approached by an owner who has a 4yr old QH mare that she is not riding. She says the horse is for sale, but she is not aggressively marketing it. The owner has offered to let me have full access to the horse, however, the mare needs full basic under-saddle training (English).

After a brief inspection, I have determined the mare has good ground manners, even temperment, and tacks well. Her physical condition seems good aside from high weight and poor muscle from lack of work. There is some question about her feet (barefoot). She was sound, but I saw what looked like evidence of a recent founder and short front toes. I didn't question the owner as she had explained that the farrier had just been out and I didn't want to sound like a smart-a%^. I will look more carefully at the feet and conformation today.

I have been out of the game for about 5yrs now. I have moved to an area where I don't know any horsemen and I can't afford to lease and pay a trainer for myself. This may be an oppurtunity to get back in the saddle. People rarely just let someone they don't know have free rein on a ready-made horse, so I have to make do with what I can get.

I can train ground and provide a basic solid under-saddle foundation. However, I am thourough and meticulous. There will be a considerable time commitment. I will need to alter my work schedule. I will also need some equipment. I have most of it already, but there will be some expense. Nutritional needs and shoeing will need to be considered. Facilities are the bare minimum, but adequate.

Is this project worth it to get back in the game? Should I require some compensation from the owner. Remember, she didn't ask me to train, just said I could ride. But the horse must be trained for proper riding. I thought about asking for a % of sales price, if the mare is sold. What would the value of such a horse be right now and how much value would I be adding? Either way, if its a perfectly good and sweet horse, I'd hate to see it languishing away in a pasture.

Answer 1

Buy the animal and then you can do as you will but you're making an awful lot of plans to train a horse that does not belong to you and you were not asked to train and then have the audacity to expect some payment for your efforts when all that was offered was free access to the animal for pleasure rides to exercise the animal. SHAME ON YOU!

Have you thought to consider that the owner of the horse may not want you to train this animal ? Who are you after all ? Just someone this person tried to be nice to hoping for a win/win situation all around but the animal isn't good enough for you as is.

Answer 2

First all settle on a price for doing all this.  It's not only going to cost you your gas and time but if you get hurt, you're going to have medical bills to boot.  What sort of facility does this woman have?  Just an open pasture means you're going to have to make your own area to work in.  

Not many "trainers" will travel out to work a horse.

Once you get a fair price worked up, get the whole shooting match down on paper and a contract written up.  IF this woman sells this horse prior to your completion of training there should also be a set amount of commission due you as well.  10% is standard.

Answer 3

I would ask for a contract in writing and signed by both parties at the very minimum 10% of the sale price and compensation for farrier or vet bills that are incurred to train the horse. Any equipment that you buy is yours to keep and wouldn't be compensable after the sale of the horse.

I had a similar situation however the owner wouldn't enter the contract and therefor I wasn't going to train her horse for free for her to sell later end of deal.

Make sure you get everything in writing so there is no misunderstanding in the end.

Answer 4

Since you have just moved to the area I think it would be a great opportunity for you to show what you know as well as give you the opportunity to brush up on your skills.  You could discuss the sale with the ower and see what her response to the idea of a sale %.  Since she is not actively marketing her you could explain to her that the training you would be doing would increase the chances of her sale and the price and the prospect of a good home, and since you would take the time and do things to improve these chances that perhaps you could get a cut.  I would also talk to her and find out the price she is asking and make a contract with her that you will advertise for her and do the training but anything you receive above that amount you will receive for you time put in for the advancemnet of the training.  If she is not willing to do so I would think about the other benefits you would receive by just working with her horse and the benefits you would receive you may not make much money but sometimes you need to put your best foot forward to get ahead.

Good Luck.

Just remember to get a contract in writing if you are to recieve funds from the sale.