As of Fall 2018 I am no longer taking client horses for training.

I deeply appreciate all of those that I had as clients over the years and while I do miss improving the life and performance of horses and their owners, other areas of responsibility have made training less of a priority for me, and no one is an effective trainer if they have a split focus. I do not wish to underserve my clients and so have chosen to step back from training for that reason.

While I do not take clients anymore, and I will not recommend you to anyone, I would like to offer a little advice to help you find a trainer:

Please do your research before you take your horse to someone. Get references, not just of clients, but also from their hay and feed suppliers, farrier and veterinarian. Tour the grounds. Please choose a trainer that has a quality contract, liability insurance, individual pens for client horses, and pays attention to details like saddle fit.

Take some time visiting over several months before you commit to sending your horse. Be respectful of their time and let them work, and also of their space as many trainers work from home, but also ask questions. Then do the same while your horse is there. If the horse needs training, you’re going to need it too. A good trainer will work with you as the horse progresses to make sure you are happy with the end result. If for some reason you have a bad feeling about how your horse is being treated, or they start to lose weight, take them home.

Please do not buy a young, unbroke or green horse as an inexperienced owner. You will not “grow and learn” together. It will be expensive in a lot of ways and often turns into heartbreak for you both. Find an experienced horseman or woman, not the neighbor with a few pasture pets, I mean someone who has seriously been in the business for most of their life, and ask for their mentorship. You will have an overall better experience with a higher chance of success and decrease the chance of injury for you both.