How honest is your trainer? Are goals realistic?

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elsielouise

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Hellooooo

Am interested in people's opinions on this since I've had a second lesson with a new trainer this weekend.

Now, my mare is not particularly difficult but she is very strong and although she doesn't buck or rear, nap or really do anything bad she is very sensitive and I have problems with tension (mine) affecting her when I am concentrating on schooling.

I'm not in any way nervous of her but need a trainer to make me relax so I can ride her propeerly. My goals are to affiliate her BE and/or BD. I'm quite happy to get my XC fix at riding club level if we're doing something at a 'decent' level.

Anyway.... my previous trainer said my mare would affiliate at both but I should sell her as she's never do much more than pre-novice BE (am happy with intro).

My new trainer says she should be able to do both without question and doesn't see a limit except my confidence.

Now... I think, well they would say that wouldn't they!?

Both of them are not the type to say something they don't mean but are your trainers the same? Do they agree your goals are attainable or have you had a rethink because of something they've said...

How much do you trust their judgement?



What stops you
 
Oh, and she is VERY honest
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i trust my instructor, mainly because i sent my horse to him last year for a month, so he knows what i am riding!
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also because he has had so much experince in eventing.

he thinks that i should be ready for the CIC* at ballygraffen in may - and i have yet to do a normal 1*!! (ok, and i have only done one PN - and my boy is pretty green!)
also that by the end of the year i should be ready to move up to 2**!! at the mo i am just smiling politely and saying "we'll see how we go"
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my goal is to just to the CIC* in sept!

but he is honest about my riding ability, so i respect him for that, and the fact that he has been olympics!!

depends about your old trainer - your horse may have come on since then and your ability and horse may have improved hugely!! why not just affiliate and see how you get on? you can then be your own judge
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Im new instructor (had her about 3 months) has been veey clear and honest and regularly 'lays her cards on the table' as she puts it- and actually told me on Sat that she felt i was too good for my horse and she didnt belive she would get past advanced-medium but im happy with her reaching that level, i can always get another if we reach that level which i doubt we will because im not made of money and dont get to compete often!
 
Personally I think you have to take EVERYTHING EVERYONE tells you with a pinch of salt. No one is ever 100% right or wrong and there are always grey areas and differences of opinion. If, in the most part your trainers are helping you, great, but you don't have to swear by everything they say all the time. Listen to their advice, apply it where it suits you, draw your own conclusions and disregard the bits you don't like. If you are happy with your horse I'd ask for as many opinions as possible on whether its likely to achieve the goals you've set and if if the majority are positive I'd take this as support of what you thought yourself, if that makes sense.
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i agree with KVS. also, it is so difficult to tell how far a horse will go - even the best in the world get it wrong, top horses like Cosmopolitan, Spring Along and various others were sold by top riders to other riders as youngsters... if they'd had an inkling of how good they were going to be, i doubt they'd have sold them! it depends on so much.
i think the most important thing is that your trainer likes your horse, and that they train in the way you need to learn. that is vital, and everyone's different.
hope this new trainer is what you need, it's good if they think the horse has plenty of potential, obviously!
 
We go to Partoow[ when we can] and she is honest and realistic.
I think most horses can affiliate up to prenovice BE/ novice BD and discovery BSJA. I believe some are easier than others but it is mainly up to the rider. Not every rider can achieve this with every horse, some need a school master, that is fine.
 
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Oh, and she is VERY honest
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I can testify that about Lil_Ponios_Rock's trainer!

Agree that it can be difficult to tell even with the most promises youngsters how good they will eventually be. You can have all the talent in the world, but they will be 'useless' unless they have the heart and desire to try hard. I think it's also important to be realistic, esp. when setting long term goals. Again, you could have all the talent, but what use is that if the horse won't stay sound when it's work is increased in prepared for your goal.

I think trainers should remind people of the good old adage that "horses are horses."
 
I have two trainers - one for my horse and me together and one at a RS on RI's horse. As both horses are very different their goals are also very different but both of them are very honest and realistic with me.
 
Have to say I trust my trainer implicitly. I feel that if I relied solely on my judgement I would be too biased and therefore it would affect my approach and the reality of the goals I set both myself and the horse.

Most people I speak to say that Tyler is very well trained and schooled. he has the ability to compete in various discplines. As my main goals as SJ and Dressage (hopefully affiliating in BD) I am delighted to here this. However they also make the comments that the main thing preventing us is my riding. Considering I had a large break and have only recently started back, purchasing Tyler only 3 months of being back in the saddle I dont mind this. As long as it is constructive in nature
 
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