Navigating the world of horse ownership, especially when seeking a reliable equine partner for activities like roping, can be a daunting and often expensive endeavor. While the upfront cost of professional training might seem substantial, particularly figures around $850 per month, understanding its value in contrast to the potential pitfalls of purchasing an already-trained horse is crucial. For those with a budget under $10,000, the horse market can feel like a gamble, with many advertised as “finished” or “sound” horses often falling short of expectations, sometimes exhibiting chronic issues that prove difficult or impossible to resolve. For a dependable roping horse, investing $10,000 or more is frequently a realistic expectation.
When searching for a personal riding horse, the process can be particularly intimidating for individuals with limited experience. Professional horse trainers, having evaluated thousands of horses, possess a keen eye that the average buyer lacks. It’s vital to recognize that many problems, even in young horses, may never be fully rectified without expert guidance. Issues such as bolting, difficulty with arena entrances, or “box issues” can place a buyer at an immediate, and often unnecessary, disadvantage. The reality is that overcoming these challenges can be exceedingly difficult, especially for those who do not ride or engage in their chosen discipline daily.
The Risks of Training a Young Horse
The financial and practical implications of attempting to train a young horse without sufficient expertise are significant. Young horses are highly impressionable, and incorrect training can lead to lifelong behavioral problems. They can develop aversions to the arena box, the rope, or the entire process of a run, issues that are exceptionally hard to correct. Furthermore, untrained or “green” horses can be unpredictable and even dangerous if not handled with the proper approach. Young horses often make poor decisions, a tendency exacerbated if they aren’t ridden consistently. Much like adolescent humans, their decision-making capabilities can deteriorate without daily structure and guidance. Given their size and power, horses can easily inflict harm, sometimes unintentionally. Inexperienced individuals attempting to train a horse themselves are often setting themselves up for a “wreck.” For this reason, it is often advisable to consider horses aged seven or eight, which have typically passed the most unpredictable stages of immaturity.
The Advantage of Professional Training
Often, the most effective solution is to commission a horse trainer to prepare a horse specifically for you. When executed correctly, professional training can circumvent the aforementioned issues, resulting in a horse that can be reliably ridden for many years. A skilled trainer can assist in identifying suitable horses, weeding out unsuitable candidates, and protecting you from unscrupulous sellers. They can also facilitate pre-purchase veterinary examinations, ensuring the horse begins its career on a sound footing. Simply sending a potential horse’s video or registration papers to a trainer for their opinion can be immensely beneficial.
Moreover, a professional trainer can help avoid fundamental training flaws. Their goal is not only to provide you with a problem-free horse but also to ensure they themselves are not burdened with riding a difficult animal. With years of experience, it’s far more enjoyable to ride a well-started, kind young horse than one burdened with issues. While a good trainer can rectify many problems, they can almost always achieve superior results when starting from a clean slate rather than trying to salvage a poorly trained horse.
As previously mentioned, the ideal scenario is for a horse to be started correctly the first time. This is where a trusted trainer becomes invaluable. For a truly exceptional horse, the best strategy is often to purchase a quality young horse and send it to a reputable trainer for several months. This allows the trainer to shape the horse according to your specific needs and skill level, resulting in a horse that is safe, reliable, and tailored to you.
The Financial Perspective
The prospect of professional training may sound appealing but financially out of reach for some. However, a closer look at the numbers can be reassuring. Utilizing professional training services often allows for the purchase of a quality young horse for under $6,500. In some cases, horses can be acquired for around $4,500. If such a horse undergoes four months of training at $850 per month, the total cost amounts to approximately $9,900. If a $4,500 horse receives two months of training, the total investment would be around $7,900, comfortably placing it within a $10,000 budget.
A Horse Tailored to You
Opting for a professionally trained horse means acquiring your dream equine partner, one that has been meticulously trained without detrimental past experiences. You avoid the challenges of breaking and training the horse yourself, the continuous feeding expenses, and, crucially, if your trainer understands your specific requests—as they should, by asking clients how they want their finished horse to feel—the horse will be trained to your unique preferences rather than just generically patterned. If your goal is to build the right horse rather than to leave it to chance, consider reaching out for professional assistance. Continuous work and improvement are central to our approach to horsemanship.
AJ Fuchs is a professional team roping horse trainer and PRCA competitor based in Stephenville, Texas. With over a decade of experience, AJ specializes in training team roping horses and overall horsemanship. He can be found on Facebook at AJ Performances Horses and his website is ajfuchs.com.
