How to Become a Horse Trainer

Being a horse trainer is rewarding, but it's also dangerous and time-consuming. You'll probably start off as an assistant to an established trainer. You'll begin by taking care of the horses, grooming, exercising and saddling; riding will come later, when you've proven your skills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Feed/water Buckets
• Hoof Picks
• Longe Line
• Jeans
• Books On Horsemanship
• Brushes For Cleaning
• Grain/oats
• Breed-specific Magazines
• Longe Whip
• 8-foot Lead Rope
• English Reins
• English Saddle
• Western Reins
• Western Saddles
• Breast Collars
• Bridles
• Headstalls
• Horseshoes
• Lead Ropes
• Riding Boots
• Riding Crop
• Saddle Pads

1. Get as much experience as you can in the different areas of working with horses - starting (teaching a horse the basics), breaking (or gentling), breaking bad habits, and finishing.
2. Learn as much as you can about horses. You'll need to have in-depth knowledge of equine health, psychology and personality.
3. Ride, ride, ride. Ride as many different horses as you can: all types, all ages, all levels and all events.
4. Prepare to be hurt. It's hard to find a trainer who hasn't been kicked, stepped on, thrown or bitten. Working with horses is dangerous, even as a hobby.
5. Spend as much time as you can with horses. The more experience you have, the better you'll be.
6. Decide what type of horse training you want to specialize in: starting, rehabilitation (getting rid of bad habits), general all-purpose training, or specializing in one or several events.
7. Try to develop a strong show record in the area that you want to specialize in; this will help attract potential clients.
8. Be passionate about your career. If your heart isn't in it, the horses and the owners will sense it.

Tips & Warnings

• Horses are wild by nature, and as much as people have tried to domesticate them, they still have the inborn reaction of fight or flight. Be careful.
• Learning is a lifelong endeavor. You'll never know everything there is to know about horses - just when you think you know everything, the horse will teach you otherwise.
• People who whip and beat horses into submission aren't trainers; they're abusers. If you see this type of activity going on, report it to your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
• Be aware that it's easy to damage a horse, and if you do, the owners may sue.