Your time or your money; it’s an age-old toss-up! For the most part, most things can be improved, strengthened, corrected, or achieved when we invest either time or money towards it. And, for the most part, you can excel in the progression if you are able to invest both. And training your horse is no different.
And while many will argue that training a horse requires both time and money, for many riders it’s possible, or necessary, to offset one with the other. It will simply depend on your unique situation.
Like everything else, there are pros and cons to consider with each approach. In this episode, I want to help you understand which choice may be better for you. Investing your time or investing your money when it comes to training your horse.
Investing Your Time: The Pros
Training your horse when you can input a significant amount of time offers several advantages. For many riders, the investment of their time will be the obvious choice based on their current circumstances. However, there are many ‘hard-to-overlook’ advantages to this approach – whatever the reason for your choice to take this route.
1. Developing the Bond:-
Spending time with your horse during the training process can strengthen the bond between you. Building a foundation of trust and understanding is crucial for successful training and a harmonious partnership. So by you taking your own time when it comes to training, it allows you both to really develop that strong foundation that will stand for you. Especially when working through any challenges that show up. And, when working with horses, let’s be honest, the challenges will almost always show up!
2. Unique & Personal Approach:-
When you invest your own time in training your horse, you have the freedom to tailor the training sessions to suit your horse’s individual needs. This personalized approach allows you to experiment with different techniques and adapt to your horse’s unique temperament. It also allows you to tailor the training program to suit your individual schedule and needs. You get to choose what to work on, and when to work on it when it comes to your horse and your training program.
3. Developing Your Skills:-
The opportunity to work so closely and so consistently with your own horse will inevitably enhance your own riding and horsemanship skills. The awareness that is an essential part of showing up as a ‘trainer’ for your horse will allow you to begin to tweak or improve your approach to different things. And with your horse providing feedback all the way, you can really develop your feel for riding and training.
Investing Your Time; The Cons
Now, let’s be clear… While there are many advantages to investing your own time into training your own horse, there are also a few drawbacks.
1. Lack of Knowledge
Experts are experts for a reason. They have developed their expertise over time and through experience. When you are choosing to invest your time to train your own horse, it can be difficult to identify, and later correct, any mistakes or training issues. This also goes for behavioral issues. Training without an experienced trainer or coach may limit your progress and prevent you from reaching your full potential as a rider. And this can also result in limiting your horse’s career or progress long term as well.
2. Time Constraints:
Yes, we have said that you are choosing the time over money scenario here. However, so many riders fail to actually realize how much time it takes when working with and training a horse. It requires a significant investment of time, and this may not be feasible for everyone. Remember, you will be doing this while also juggling other commitments such as work, family, or studies. Being consistent with your approach is essential with this method and many riders find it really difficult to dedicate sufficient time for effective training.
Investing Your Money: The Pros
When we are using the term ‘investing your money’ in relation to training your horse, this usually means that you will invest in professional training at a professional barn or yard. This, obviously, can have many advantages over the ‘time’ investment.
1. Expert Guidance
You are now enlisting the help of a qualified or experienced trainer or coach who is doing this on a daily basis. Their experience and expertise will allow you to avoid many of the pitfalls or potential challenges along the way. Going this route also means that you get to ‘tap into’ their valuable ‘knowledge & experience bank’. This is especially useful when it comes to correcting mistakes, and ensures your horse is introduced to effective, practical, and proven training techniques from the start.
2. Time Efficiency
When you hire someone who has successfully achieved a specific outcome numerous times before, it can be a little like taking a little-known but much faster ‘shortcut’. They can help accelerate your horse’s progress at a rate that would be pretty difficult for you to match doing this for the first time. And they can also, usually, overcome challenges more quickly as well.
3. Safety & Confidence
Professional equestrian trainers and coaches are equipped to handle difficult situations as they occur. This means that both your horse’s safety and your own safety are maximized during the training process. Couple this with the fact that most riders feel more confident when they have a trainer in the arena with them; you will usually ‘ride better’ in their presence. This is especially useful when working with a young, green, or challenging horse.
Investing Your Money: The Cons
And just like before, this too has its downsides. Here are a few considerations when it comes to investing your money, rather than your time when training your horse.
1. Financial Constraints
Yep, it’s the whole time versus money thing again. In order for you to save on time, you will almost definitely have to invest your money. Remember, professional horse training can be expensive and costly. This is especially true if you are on a limited budget. Before you commit to this route it is really important to assess your current financial situation and determine whether the, often high, expense aligns with your current resources and priorities.
2. Lack of Independence
While a professional trainer or coach might be able to move your horse’s training along, can you then realistically continue to do this when your horse comes ‘home’ or back to you? Relying on a trainer means you may become dependent on their availability. There may be scheduling conflicts while the initial training is ongoing.
And then the potential need for ongoing support might require adjustments to your training plans in the future… Basically, it is difficult to really and truly learn how to figure things out for yourself when paying a professional to do the work for you.
Time or Money; Which Will Suit You Best?
I honestly believe that there is no real right or wrong answer to this challenge. At the end of the day, it is a personal choice that will usually be dependent on personal circumstances. Both approaches have their benefits and limitations.
Investing your time allows for a deeper bond, more time and schedule flexibility, and faster development and growth of your abilities as a rider and trainer. However, this can often be countered by a lack of expertise and other commitments in your already busy life.
On the other hand, investing money in your horse’s training introduces expert guidance, a ‘fast track’ time efficiency, and added safety and confidence. You can literally borrow it from them in the arena initially. But it comes with often great financial considerations and, ultimately, a level of dependency on the trainer in the long term.
For many riders, a blend of both is the way to truly make this work for them. A balance that aligns with your goals, resources, and circumstances is key.
Whether you choose to invest your time, your money, or a combination of both, the most important thing is to prioritize your horse’s well-being, your enjoyment, and the ultimate long-term partnership that will result from working with your horse.
Happy Riding
Lorna
Seeking Founding Riders…
If you are considering training your horse at home or alone (boarding at a barn, but don’t have a regular coach or trainer), make sure you check out the details of my upcoming brand-new program.
I’m looking for a limited number of riders to work in-depth with me and my team as we go through this program for the first time. Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out all of the information… We start in early September. Get All the Details HERE (no obligation to join the program, just be the first to know all of the details :) )
