How to Hire a Barrel Horse Trainer

Barrel racing is not an easy sport to learn or to teach to your horse. Mastering barrel racing can take years; it takes even longer to become a good trainer. Sending your horse to a barrel horse trainer can cut several months or even years off of training time. If you don't have the time or the experience, send your horse to a barrel horse trainer. Learn how to hire a barrel horse trainer and get your horse running barrels like a professional in just a few months.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Write down a list of questions to ask the barrel horse trainer. Do this before calling around or looking for a trainer. Ask about their experience. How many years have they been running barrels? How many years have they trained barrel horses? What were their biggest wins? Ask about their training program. How often will they ride the horse? What are the components of their training? What do they expect the horse to be able to do by the end of one month? What type of feed do they use? Also ask if you can come visit your horse whenever you want.

2. Call local barrel racing clubs and associations for recommendations on barrel horse trainers. Most clubs have at least a few different trainers that ride and train at their events. Follow large barrel racing events and look at the list of consistent winners. Most of these riders also take in horses to train. You may have to look outside of your local area, but a good quality trainer is worth the drive. Make a list of names and phone numbers of all possible trainers. The NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) is made up of barrel racers of all levels and has barrel races all over the country. Hundreds of top barrel horse trainers are members of the NBHA and are capable of training your horse or recommending someone to you.

3. Ask for referrals once you speak to the trainers on your list. Good barrel horse trainers will have trained many horses that have gone on to win with their owners. You should be able to contact a few of their current or previous clients and speak to them.

4. Visit the trainer's facilities if possible. Look at the condition of the barn, fence and arena where your horse will be staying. Also look at the horses that are being kept there. Make sure they look healthy and fit. This will let you know that your horse will also be kept healthy and treated properly.

5. Discuss details such as what kind of feed the trainer uses, what their policy is on farrier and veterinarian bills and their payment policy. Most professional trainers also have a contract that must be signed for the protection of the trainer, you and your horse. Read the contract over carefully and make sure you understand and agree to all of the terms.

Tips & Warnings

• Work with the trainer at the end of the training period. Ride your horse with the trainer present so that he can help you "get" with the horse. He can give you tips on the best way to ride the horse according to the training.
• Never hire a barrel horse trainer based on price. Hire a trainer on their abilities to work with and train your horse. You will be spending several hundred dollars a month on training so make sure you are getting great training in return. A cheap or bad trainer can mess up your horse and end up costing you more money by having him re-trained by a professional. Most trainers charge a set fee that includes training, board, feed and hay for your horse. Make sure you discuss exactly what the fee covers before sending your horse to a trainer so that you are not surprised by a large bill when you pick up your horse.

References

• National Barrel Horse Association

Resources

• Louisiana Cattleman's Magazine, "Hiring a Trainer for Your Horse", April 2009