I showed interest in training horses. With the trainer at the barn. She told me that it was a very bad business to get into and that you cant really earn a living with it unless you have a second job or a spouse with a good job. I have been watching the way she runs her barn and I dont really under stand it. She has over 500 acres and she dosent use much of it. But she told me that I should train dogs instead...I use to show dogs. And that I can make more money with that because every one has dogs in the house.

She also is always stating that there is no money is horse boarding. I dont see why not. But then im not running a barn yet so I dont fully know the expenses for running a barn monthly. I know its a very personal question but Im just wondering what other trainers and boarding stables bring in a year.

I REALLY would like to own my own barn board/train horses. I think it would be a very good profession for me. But I need some positive feed back on training and some light on the end of the tunnel to really sink my feet into the idea. If you could share your training experience and how its helped you, and how much you enjoy it or not please let me know.
Thanks so much,
Traveler

She's right, there is no money in horse boarding. Boarding usually just makes you enough money to pay for the feed for all of the horses (your own included) and the barn help. It's hard to charge enough to make any money and still be competitive in price.

As for training, you can make money in it, but the people who do are top notch trainers showing horses at the big shows. Trainers working with intermediate riders and "starting horses" are a dime a dozen. You have to keep your rates low to compete. But, specialized trainers who can get horses to win at the upper levels are not as common and can charge more.

Getting to the level of a specialized trainer takes a lot of time and money though. You have to have the resources to bring a few of your own horses through the levels and train them yourself. And those horses have to win at the upper levels of competition to get your name out there. After that, you can slowly start building a clientle. It will take another few years to be able to gain enough clients to really make some money...

So no, there's not a lot of money in horse training, lol.

First you need to honestly know if its something your good at. Some people no matter how hard they try just can't read horses which is a big part of training. Then decide if it is a passion, yes= you can make a living at it but aren't going to have a whole lot of extras[money,time,holidays] Check around if an average mortgage is $1000 and trainers are only getting $500 you will be starting in the hole and will need a back-up source. Remember-Insurance[barn,farm,house,liability,medical,vehicle] Electric,Feeds,Vets,Farriers...
A really good way to start is either as a working student or an apprentice and a business based degree can't hurt. As far as being a top notch trainer when you are starting out contact that top notch the one you already worked/apprenticed for. He doesn't/won't take green horses and if your really good at doing the greenies=great working relationship. He trusts horses coming from your barn, he already has a waiting list, everyone stays happy and full of clients and there is no direct competition.

Yep I agree. I also train horses but I don't do it for a living because unless I was doing it full-time, it's doesn't make the money. It's kind've like stallions. You can find service Stallions all over the world but it's the up-town high dollar Studs with "perfect" pedigrees etc that have stud fees that their owners can actually make money from! Training horses is awesome though and even though in most cases it doesn't make much money, a little is still worth it to me

Thank you all so much it has really opened my eyes more and you guys have explained it better then just "I cant do it and so you should train dogs" kinda a slap... But I just love working with horses I still really want to get into training them but im thinking of choosing a second career to help do my dreams. Maybe Real estate a seconds passion of mine but not as much as horses.

Any good books ,movies you would recomend? I will be trying to become an apprentic when I move... When I bought my horse she was green but had training a long time ago and with problems and she has come a long way with me doing ground work and under saddle and what not...So I know can DO it.
Thanks again and any advice ill listen!