One of the things I've come across repeatedly in my horse shopping ventures are the different perceptions of a horse's training and levels of "broke".

Many sellers will even state that the horse has had 30, 60, 90, or 120 days professional horse training in their ads to help clarify its level of "broke". But what does it all mean?

Training can vary by trainer and riding discipline, so 30 days with one trainer could bring a different result than 30 days with another. The amount of training in a 30 day period usually ranges from 3 days per week to every day. So you could see how a horse that goes through 3 day per week training (12 days total in a month) would vary from a horse that is worked every day in a 30 day period.

Also, different riding disciplines and some horse breeds may require different types of training, which can affect the overall training timeline. For example, gaited horse training is different from a non-gaited horse and a dressage horse training schedule would vary from western horse training. 

So if you're in the market for a horse, make sure to ask specific questions about the horse's training to get a better idea of exactly what you're working with. How much training? What type of training (ground, riding, driving, etc.)? Did they use natural horsemanship training techniques? How often has the horse been worked since it returned from training? What challenges did they come across? (And if you're looking to sell, don't forget to check out my tips on How to Sell a Horse Online!)

And if you're looking to send your horse off for training, it is important to look beyond just the cost of training when comparing potential trainers. Find out how often your horse will be worked and what part you will play in your horse's training. Most importantly, start by setting reasonable expectations with your trainer so you can measure the end result.

(Click Here to see how the Rymar Ranch in Florida defines expectations for 30, 60 or 90 days of professional training.)

Cowboy Logic of the Day

"There's a lot more to ridin' a horse than just sittin'

in the saddle and lettin' yer feet hang down."