Personal Development & Career Return To Personal Development & Career

10 Tips on Being a Successful Assistant Trainer

GoHorseShow by Brittany Sega April 2016

Working under some of the top trainers in the business as an assistant trainer can be a tough, yet extremely rewarding career for many individuals. Learning from the best in the business and completing the grunt work along the way, these people have dedicated their lives to the horse industry. There are good and bad days but they continue to work hard and never give up on reaching their goals. Here are ten tips on being a successful assistant trainer.

1. Work for the Right Person

It has been said time and time again, that every great leader is a great teacher. Working under the right program and boss can make or break an assistant trainer’s future. If there isn’t an opportunity or willingness to help you learn, you won’t get very far in this business.

“Look for a job with a person who has had success in the show ring; has a good business and clients; as well as a lot of respect within the industry,” says Aaron Moses, an assistant to Gil Galyean of Purcell, Oklahoma, “And don’t be afraid to reach for the best available!”

Moses suggests to find a job with a person who has not only been successful themselves, but also consider how successful their past assistants have been. This can give you an inside look at the quality of education you will be receiving.

2. Make a Commitment

You won’t become a successful horse trainer overnight. It takes more than a few months or a year to master a program and be ready to pursue a training business on your own. Make a commitment to staying an assistant until you develop the skills required to be able to successfully own and operate your own training barn.

“There’s a reason it takes eight years of school after high school to become a doctor and I don’t think learning to train a horse is much different,” states Moses (pictured right). “It takes a long time to learn to do something well as well as leaning the ins and outs of the business.”

New assistants shouldn’t expect to come into a program and begin riding and showing the great horses. Expect to be completing a lot of the grunt work throughout your day. But if you work hard and put in the long hours, your hard work could pay off big time!

3. Pay Attention to the Details

One of the most important things about showing horses is the details. Every single piece must be Read More.

Be sure to check out the GoHorseShow.com website