In the horse industry, some people get their start as an apprentice under a professional trainer, but for many, a college program is a more effective way to learn the trade. The University of Findlay in Ohio has a well-established program that has produced AQHA Professional Horsemen like Todd Crawford and Casey Hinton. The program is designed for students to get a degree while learning horsemanship, and it allows the student to gain experience in every aspect of training.
During their freshman year, students begin with riding a broke horse on the ground and in the saddle and learn how to move a horse’s different body parts. During their sophomore year, students concentrate on colt starting and the first 120 days of a colt’s life. Juniors ride finished western pleasure and cutting horses, and seniors train a 2-year-old for a futurity. After graduating from Lamar, a student might work as an assistant or groom at a ranch until they have the financial means to start their own operation. One former AQHYA leader recalled how she worked several jobs to supplement her income while training, until her career as a professional trainer became feasible.
Another former AQHYA leader agreed that being a professional trainer is hard work. He noted that the best trainers will always find ways to better themselves, and he encouraged all horsemen to take advantage of opportunities to learn from other trainers. “Fifty percent of people decide that they don’t want to be a trainer after they get in the real world and see how much work it is, but the other 50 percent stay with it,” he said. An exploration of the positive impact horse riding can have on mental well-being, stress reduction, and fostering a deep connection with nature and animals.
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