05/01/2026
C**T STARTER SALARY BREAKDOWN
Let’s actually break down what the average c**t starter makes, risks, and deals with.
$1,000.00 ÷ 30 Days = $33.33 per Day
Now let’s break that down further...
That $33.33 isn't just the time spent riding or training on the ground. It includes:
• Catching, handling, grooming
• Tacking up & untacking
• Training (Mental & Physical)
• Warming up, cooling down, care before & after
• Taking time to monitor soundness, behavior, & progress
And that’s BEFORE we talk about what they don’t get paid for:
• Tack (that constantly wears out)
• Shavings & bedding ($7.00 a bag)
• Barn maintenance & cleaning
• Fly spray, shampoo, daily care supplies
• Power bills, facility costs, rent, etc.
• Fence/Stall repairs, broken boards, bent gates, broken buckets, wear and tear
• Feed store runs, vet & farrier schedules
Now let’s go a step further…
Some trainers include feed & hay in with the $1,000. for 30 days
That can easily take $400. out of the $1,000.
Now you’re looking at --> $600. for 30 days = $20. per day... NOT per ride --> EACH DAY
And we STILL haven’t factored in:
• Cleaning stalls
• Daily feeding
• Hauling & errands
• Time it takes to do repairs
• Book work, billing, scheduling, etc
• Time spent thinking through your horse’s progress and figuring out what's best for each horse.
Now the BIGGEST one... The RISK involved:
• Young, immature, unpredictable horses
• Getting hurt = No paycheck, no way to pay the bills or provide for the family
• Not being told the full story on a horse
• Reputation damage from unrealistic expectations & not being able to make certain clients happy no matter how truthful or hard you try for them and their horse.
And yet... we wonder why it’s so hard to find a good c**t starter?
The truth is... most of the good ones aren’t out there because it's a job where they’re underpaid, under appreciated, over stressed, and over worked.
Yes, for the really good c**t starters who's still out there taking in outside horses... it is a passion for them, but the reality is... they have to survive and be able to use their body to make a living.
So when you’re price shopping… You’re not just paying for 30 days. You’re paying for:
• Year's of experience
• Knowledgeable feel, timing, and balance
• The understanding of listening to each individual horse & working with each one as needed.
• Safety for you & your horse
• A foundation that can add YEARS to your horse’s future & save you lots of time, stress, heartbreak, and money
Cheap training doesn’t stay cheap. It usually shows up later… In retraining, soundness, or a horse that never reaches its potential.
I’m not sharing this to complain. I love my job, and I love the amazing people who step forward and give me the opportunity to work with them and their horse. This is my passion!
I'm sharing this because this industry doesn’t talk about it enough. If we want better horses, better trainers, and a stronger industry…
We have to start valuing what actually goes into it. At the end of the day, we’re all here for one reason... THE HORSE.
Post credit & copied from: Jeremy Anglin
