08/08/2026
Are you really saving money?
This is a timely question I think to myself a few times a year....now this isn't a derogatory post, just aimed to be more informative to horse owners. This question arises when a horse arrives here to be started under saddle and I get the rundown from the owner..."I've done all the groundwork, you just need to get on it..."
Well....No. That's not how it's done around here, or for any other legitimate professional horse trainer. We have a process, a delivery of our methods, in our own safe, effective way to achieve a premium 'product' at the end of our time frame. "I've thrown the saddle on and gee she bucks a bit" or "Ive done the groundwork to save me some money" are some common ones. But really have a think about it....ok so now you've taught that horse to buck, what now? The breaker will sort it out right? You're dead right. We damn sure will sort it out but you're going to lose a fair chunk of your weekly wage for us to "sort out" that problem.
2 weeks. That's right, on average 2 weeks is the time it will take to rectify the bad habits you've already taught your horse, not to mention the whole safety issues (or lack thereof). Now $500/week x 2... that's an extra $1,000 out of your pocket that I'm sure you could of spent better. Plus we are already two weeks behind schedule.
Now I'm all for people 'having a go' at starting your horse and the experienced are the exception but if you are new to the game, how about doing it under guidance of a professional. Does an apprentice just go and have a crack at building a house by himself? Or would you put the frame up on your house and tell the builder "You've just got to put the roof on, I've done all the hard work"....probably not.
If you want to work with your horse before you send it off to be broken in, sure, teach it respect on the lead, teach it to tie up and pick its feet up but unless you're prepared to climb on once you've taught it to buck then just leave the saddle off, dont try to 'mouth' it like your neighbour told you how to after he saw a video on you tube....leave it and let your trainer do what he knows how to do, trust me it will be cheaper in the long run.
✏️Repost from us in 2018, but still quite relevant. Photo credit unknown.
