[lilmisscowgrl]

What is her name? I used to train in Indiana PA.

[Kitari]

Originally Posted by Dancers Mom

I am going to throw my non-show horse sense in here. Even I thought this was outrageous and don't show.


Horse Transportation (6/19-6/21) Horse On Course Horse Show: 142.50
Sounds to me like she is charging you for 75% of the gas Makes sense if she went a long distance

3 Horse Show Coaching: 240.00
I don't know about this if it was three classes then it seems steep to me 3 day schooling show, listed on the site at $80 a day

Motel Charge (all four of us in one room): 150.00
How much was this room? 600.00 a night? Good god, were you at the Hilton? Depends on the hotel and the location, paid for 2-3 nights, it makes sence

Clipping (I clipped EVERYTHING except for two legs that she did, and I didn't even ask her to): 25.00
I would take this off or break your horse into sections and pay her that I can see this if she thought you were going to leave it undone, it does her image no good if you dont do everything you are supposed to


One Hour Lesson: 50.00
4 Half-Hour Lessons: 150.00
She is charging you more for shorter lessons? I would nix this also and base it on the hourly charge, 1/2 the time is 1/2 the pay. It is almost appropriate 4 lessons vs one lesson here, but the extra 7.50 bugs me i would question it,

Supplements (that I did not ask her to give): 15.00
Did she have your persmission to give them regardless, is it in your contract. Personally I would not pay this at all if you did not ask It may be part of her showing regime, in which case its for everyone there.

Board for the Two Weeks: 272.00
F*F*F)S*F*S! Good God, ****! For two weeks of board? My barn prorates. Break it down by the day. I added it up, since he was there for training, she was actually under charged. It was supposed to be $280 for the two weeks

It all seems reasonable to me. From now on I would suggest before going to a show or anything get a general costs estimate from her and add everything up plus $50 to cover anything you may miss. Save yourself the shock.

[BKKain]

I'm in BC, and the max I've seen is $900.00, thats for board+training. I don't know about anyone else, but I think its time you find a new trainer..Or confront her about this..Those prices seem CRAZY to me.

[deann28]

That sounds about right!

3-day show = $150.00 hotel bill = $50.00/ night for your share x 4 = $200.00/ night hotel bill. That sounds about right unless you stayed in a roach motel. Hotels charge based partially on anticipated occupancy - therefore if they expect to be busy and full they charge more. Supply and demand people. I set up hotel reservations for my company on a daily basis and the same hotel can easily vary by $75.00/night over the course of a two day stay based on dates, holidays, local events. Why in the world should she have paid her own share? I don't pay when my company sends me out on the road!

Why on earth would your trainer go out and pay her own mileage for the return trip home? She wouldn't have even left the driveway if she didn't have to take your horse home. She should be compensated. It is typical around her to pay between .50 and 1.00/ mile both ways. Not unreasonable - just the cost of having someone else haul your horse. Otherwise - buy a trailer and do it yourself. Your trainer doesn't enjoy hauling horses around - even at that price she isn't making money!!! Factor in that she has to be gone from her business and BAM - she is losing money. So she did give you a break.

$25 for two legs - most amatuers don't do a very good job at clipping. In fact most should be given a pair of rounded safety scissors and left in the craft corner. They also forget that when you go in public that you represent the trainer and it is their job to look good with well turned out riders- that is a reflection on thier barn. Why wouldn't she charge you? You asked her to do these things when you decided that you wanted her to coach you at the shows. She has wear and tear on her clippers, blades sharpening, etc. - what should she charge? This is also incentive for you to learn to do a better job so she don't have to do it and bill you! She has a business to run - 25.00 is a pretty good flat rate for her time, expertise, and materials.

Supplements that you didn't ask for? Again - you asked her to help you do well at a show. Part of that is the care the horse recieves.

And to all of you that mentioned what how your trainers would do things for free??????!!!!?!??!??!
A.) Those aren't trainers - those are wanna-bes that are desperate to get thier feet in the door. Good or not - they are desperate for a reason. If you wanted help from a wanna be then you should have found a wanna be - but understand the results could be less than shining.
b.) Those "trainer wanna-bes" are part of the reason that people like the OP don't understand that you have to pay to play the game. If I go to the laundromat to clean my clothes I don't expect the counter clerk to supply my soap or quarters. Legitimate business practice - You charge for your time, supplies, and material!!!

You guys also need to consider what levels you are showing and the cost involved......

JMHO - this post kind of rather ticked me off when I got into reading it.

Just makes light of the fact that too many people have problems separating horse business from horse hobby. Trainers don't enjoy following you around - they enjoy winning, they possibly enjoy thier own horses, but clients are work.

[AintNoSaint]

Well put deann! It's a business for a trainer, they don't do these things out of the goodness of their heart. It's their source of income and how they make a living. I especially agree with the people who mentioned that if they were to travel for their job, expenses would be paid, etc.

[Kissitgoodbye]

I hate to say it but that kind of sounds right. For my trainer for a 2 day show is 700 something.

But since I do full training (1500), my schooling at the show is not charged. But I do have to pay gas fees, feeding her, and her hotel stay. It gets real pricey and it STINKS!

[holyguacamole]

That's about normal for mid-grade show barns.

[OrangeRikki]

Okay guys...normal price, I got that. Thank you.

I stated it before, I simply wasn't expecting the price. I went to the same show in October with the same people and it didn't cost me nearly that amount. Hence, I was a little shocked at the price. All I wanted to know was whether or not that was a normal price for the board and show.

Deann, I'm sorry I "ticked you off". However, I don't believe I was acting in a manner to make anybody angry...I am new to the show scene and simply was wondering where all of the charges were coming from. That's all.

[nrhareiner]

Originally Posted by OrangeRikki

She marked them down as being 'private' lessons, though I know they weren't all private because I rode with the two other girls that I show with for at least two lessons. So, maybe she charged more for them being 'private'?

My questions is was you/your horse in training the 2 weeks it was there or where you just boarding? If you where paying for training lessons should have been included. I never pay extra for lessons when my horse is in training.

Those fees are outrageous. However they are listed so you should have known what they where. Did you have a contract?

I personally will not pay a day fee to my trainer. They get their training fees and if they show my horse they get part of the earnings after expenses. To me that is plenty. As for hotel. That should be split between everyone equally.

[OrangeRikki]

Originally Posted by nrhareiner

My questions is was you/your horse in training the 2 weeks it was there or where you just boarding? If you where paying for training lessons should have been included. I never pay extra for lessons when my horse is in training.

Those fees are outrageous. However they are listed so you should have known what they where. Did you have a contract?

I personally will not pay a day fee to my trainer. They get their training fees and if they show my horse they get part of the earnings after expenses. To me that is plenty. As for hotel. That should be split between everyone equally.

I understand paying for the hotel (the three students), but somehow for two nights at a $160/night hotel, I got stuck with nearly half the bill. It should be 1/3.

My horse was in there for two weeks being boarded, for $17 a day, so that I could prepare for the show. My trainer charges the fee for boarding and fees for lessons separately though. So, no matter how long you board or how many lessons you have, they are always billed as two different things.