[rosewood]

Originally Posted by OrangeRikki

Here's what she charged me:

Horse Transportation (6/19-6/21) Horse On Course Horse Show: 142.50 (based on her $1.50 mileage charge this show was 95 miles away...make sure that's correct.)
3 Horse Show Coaching: 240.00 ($80 per day coaching fee for horse shows, was the show 3 days? did you get a lesson in all 3 days?)
Motel Charge (all four of us in one room): 150.00 Depends on the hotel
Clipping (I clipped EVERYTHING except for two legs that she did, and I didn't even ask her to): 25.00 Not listed on website, but if wasn't asked for...she don't get in my opinion
One Hour Lesson: 50.00 Correct
4 Half-Hour Lessons: 150.00 ($37.50 per lesson, website advertises $30)
Supplements (that I did not ask her to give): 15.00 Again you didn't ask for...she don't get
Board for the Two Weeks: 272.00 (for 14 days at $17 per day, which is outrageous to me, equals $238)

Naturally I decided to bring him home, and that cost me 48.00. We live less than 15 miles away.

Grand Total came to $1,140.50

Things I would question...see above. I see the total as being $940.50 which seems more correct to me. That's if was 14 days...and i wasn't including transportation to and from home.

I just realized what she's charging you per day for board would equal $510 a month. The places I've been take the monthly board and divide it by the number of days in the month then multiply it by the number of days you were there. So if board was $350 a month, with 30 days in that month, that's $11.66 per day...lets say i was there 14 days...my board total would be $163.24 plus tax.

[jeda_horse]

Woah, that is so much money! I cant believe she charged you so much, especially for things like clipping.

I'd hope you got some VERY good advice at your show for $80/day.

My trainer (when I got lessons) gave out free advice at shows, would of clipped for free, woiuld of paid his own motel board etc etc etc

Trainers I know even ride for free at shows, that is ridiculous.

Were you aware of the costs before you sent your horse there? I would of had a heart attack at the price.

[txgray]

^ It's extremely standard here in h/j land to pay for schoolng per day at shows, and for the hotel costs of the trainer to be divvied up amongst the clients. I don't know any of them that would ride for free either. They are supplying a service, after all.

[OrangeRikki]

The one thing that doesn't make sense to me is, why is a half-hour schooling session at a show $80 when the same half-hour lesson at home would cost me $30? Just because we're away she charges $50 more?

[txgray]

Generally they charge by the day, so if you school in the morning/afternoon, get on/off multiple times, have classes spread out, etc, that's all included. Otherwise what would they do.. charge you by the amount of time they spent schooling you and standing by the ring? That'd get difficult. A per day rate is the norm, whether you use a lot of time or not.

[OrangeRikki]

Originally Posted by txgray

Generally they charge by the day, so if you school in the morning/afternoon, get on/off multiple times, have classes spread out, etc, that's all included. Otherwise what would they do.. charge you by the amount of time they spent schooling you and standing by the ring? That'd get difficult. A per day rate is the norm, whether you use a lot of time or not.

Bah, well in that case I should have spent more time schooling! Haha I suppose that would be a quick fix to the amount of money spent, take multiple horses. Pay the same rates, ride more, show in more classes (I only did two classes with Spear), and get more for my money.

[txgray]

For me it tends to equal out. There's days where the trainer will spend a grand total of 30mins with me, and other days where they're spending hours. But in your case you did so few classes, def no way it was gonna equal out unless you schooled quite a bit too.

[katydid]

Originally Posted by txgray

^ It's extremely standard here in h/j land to pay for schoolng per day at shows, and for the hotel costs of the trainer to be divvied up amongst the clients. I don't know any of them that would ride for free either. They are supplying a service, after all.

Yeah, I agree. I actually pay a higher day rate than the one quoted ... but the way I see it is, the trainer is basically going to be there all day long. I mean maybe technically they could steal away for a few hours or whatever, but for all intents and purposes the trainer has to be there all day [to put this in perspective, if I have to sit all day for a client, let's say 8 hours, the client is going to see close to a 2K bill for that day alone -- although I cannot bill more than one client for the same time, under my industry's professional rules -- but still]. And since the trainer doesn't charge a HIGHER day rate if less clients are going, the trainer (by setting the day fee in advance and keeping it standard) is the one who bears the risk. Now at my barn the day rate includes schooling OR riding the horse, plus horse's care, so I don't think the rate is ultimately unreasonable.

I am a business professional and if I have to travel for a client, the client pays for my expenses. I guess I just don't see a reason it should be any different for trainers ...

Also, around here $510/mo. for board is pretty average. So I think it's hard to compare board prices without knowing the details of the facility and what the going rate in that area is.

It sucks to get a higher bill than expected, that's for sure. Sorry you had to experience that!

[RacePony007]

She must have charged you double for the hauling

[drssg]

Her fees are clearly stated on her web site. I think it is reasonable to consider the trainer's fees before purchasing services. I don't think it is reasonable to complain about them after the fact.