How to Become a Horse Trainer

1 Get as much experience as you can in the different areas of working with horses - starting (teaching a horse the basics), breaking (or gentling), breaking bad habits, and finishing.

2 Learn as much as you can about horses. You'll need to have in-depth knowledge of equine health, psychology and personality.

3 Ride, ride, ride. Ride as many different horses as you can: all types, all ages, all levels and all events.

4 Prepare to be hurt. It's hard to find a trainer who hasn't been kicked, stepped on, thrown or bitten. Working with horses is dangerous, even as a hobby.

5 Spend as much time as you can with horses. The more experience you have, the better you'll be.

6 Decide what type of horse training you want to specialize in: starting, rehabilitation (getting rid of bad habits), general all-purpose training, or specializing in one or several events.

7 Try to develop a strong show record in the area that you want to specialize in; this will help attract potential clients.

8 Be passionate about your career. If your heart isn't in it, the horses and the owners will sense it.

Warnings

Horses are wild by nature, and as much as people have tried to domesticate them, they still have the inborn reaction of fight or flight. Be careful.

Learning is a lifelong endeavor. You'll never know everything there is to know about horses - just when you think you know everything, the horse will teach you otherwise.

People who whip and beat horses into submission aren't trainers; they're abusers. If you see this type of activity going on, report it to your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Be aware that it's easy to damage a horse, and if you do, the owners may sue.

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