Agricultural Careers By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START Horse Trainer
What Is a Horse Trainer? Horse trainers work to understand horse behavior and train horses for many different uses. They train horses for riding, harness, performance, and pleasure.
Duties of Horse Trainers Feed, groom, and exercise horses. Accustom horses to new tack. Study the behavior of specific horses. Train riders and stable workers. Evaluate the health and condition of horse during training. Train horses for racing, dressage, jumping, trail riding, cart work, etc. Accustom horses to riders and other people. Design training plans for horses. Oversee all activities relating to the welfare of the horse and ensure all daily tasks are completed.
Becoming a Horse Trainer Horse trainers should have a strong love for horses and enjoy working with them. Need to have knowledge of equine health, psychology and personality. Gain as much experience with horses as possible by spending time around the barn and at competitions. Trainers need excellent communication, business skills, scientific knowledge and should have high ethical standards. Good problem solving skills and the ability to think creatively, “outside of the box,” make a person successful in a career as a horse trainer.
Education Although you do not need specific educational requirements, many horse trainers go to school to learn the business aspects of the trade. Many clients want their trainer to have some kind of college-level degree in the horse industry (such as certificates in horse management, etc.) Reading different books about horses can improve your knowledge and present new training methods. Volunteering at stables and observing horses and other trainers will help gain experience.
Employment Income varies based upon location and discipline. The salary can range from $15,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience and demand in the area you train in. Most trainers are independent, but many professional riders have assistants to help train horses for them. Trainers supply their own equipment, so be prepared to buy several different types of tack for different horses.
Vocabulary Dressage- Often referred to as equine ballet because of its beauty and elegance, dressage represents the highest level of training a horse can achieve. Movements such as piaffe, passage and half- pass take years to perfect. Like show jumping and three-day eventing, dressage is an Olympic sport.
Related Careers Animal Behaviorist Animal Scientist Animal Trainer Veterinarian Zookeeper
Career Resources United Professional Horsemen’s Association 4059 Iron Works Pike, Suite 2 Lexington, KY Internet: United States Equestrian Federation 4047 Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY Internet: Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association National Horse Center, Building B, Suite Ironworks Parkway Lexington, KY Internet: