Cost of Living
By Allison Trimble
There are things in the performance horse world that seem to be a secret. When I first became involved, I didn’t have a clue how to find real answers to my questions. My goal in these articles is to corner some of the people in the industry in the Northwest and get them to reveal those truths. One of the big mysteries is the cost of having a horse in training. For some reason it always feels like an awkward conversation topic. In past articles I have mentioned that this is an expensive hobby and I bet you were thinking, “What exactly does expensive mean?” I asked my very good friend Kurt Pylman to help break down the costs of living this lifestyle. In addition to his accomplishments in the pen, I have a lot of admiration for Kurt’s knowledge of the industry. Whether he is showing, training, or teaching, Kurt always goes the extra mile.
What are the standard monthly costs associated with having a horse in cowhorse or reining training and what does a client get for their investment?
Kurt: My standard monthly fee for a horse in training is $750, $800 if they are on cattle. For this money a client can expect the horse to be ridden 5-6 days a week. This fee includes hay, grain, bedding, stall cleaning and administration of additional supplements or vitamins the owner chooses to provide. The owner is responsible for all shoeing, veterinary, chiropractic, and dental expenses. There is a definite variation in the amount of riding a horse needs, and that will change for a given horse through out their career. It is my job to make sure that a horse is getting all the attention needed to achieve the goals we have set for them. I don’t lock myself into a routine where each horse gets 30 minutes or an hour every day. Some horses get loped some days for 20 minutes, other days they need two hours of riding.
I completely understand that it is no small investment to have a horse in training. But when you start to break it down, keep in mind that some of the expenses covered in the monthly fee are things you already would be paying at home, or to have a horse boarded elsewhere. Realistically, about $300 to $350 of the overall cost goes strictly to board. If you really look closely at the expense, hauling a horse and taking lessons with a trainer once a week costs almost as much as having a horse in training and you would generally get better results for your investment having the horse in training.
What about taking a horse to a show, what are the standard expenses and what can a client expect in return?
Kurt: Travel expenses, at least for me, are 50 cents per mile of travel and $45.00 per day at a show. Customers will be expected to pay all entry fees and shaving costs. Any winnings the horse earns during a show, the trainer receives 1/3 of the cash winnings (this does vary slightly between trainers). Prizes, such as buckles and trophies, are almost always awarded to the owner. Horses are hauled to shows to help make them more comfortable in the show environment and to help build them into a more competitive partner. If the horse is for sale, horse shows are a great way to market the horse.
Usually we arrive at a horse show a day early, so we begin the readying process. If I am at a show with non pros, I spend a lot of time making sure the horse is comfortable and that they are prepared to show. This includes time in the arena before the shows and warm up before the classes. I will be there helping ready them as they are walking in the pen, reminding them of our game plan and supporting them in any way they need. After every run I try and have a short conversation about how the run went and what we need to work on for next time.
What kind of incidental expenses can come up that an owner should be aware of?
Kurt: Intangible costs can include things like farrier expenses at a show (for repairing a lost shoe for example) and vet bills acquired either at home or at a show. These are athletes and you should expect an unexpected injury. If the horse is a cowhorse or cutter, at a lot of the bigger shows there are practice cattle and that usually costs about $40 per practice run. Depending on travel time and expenses, all participating customers typically split the trainer’s expenses for going to the show.
People often are very particular about how their horses are cared for. What kind of steps would you suggest an owner take to create the best situation for the trainer, horse and themselves?
Kurt: It would be a good idea to talk to different trainers to discuss how your horse will fit into their particular programs. I really believe that it is essential that training horses be under quality vet and feed programs and it is important to maintain the condition of the horse’s blankets, products and so on. On my end, I believe it is crucial to keep the client informed regularly about the horses status, situation, success and problems. If you have specific preferences about your horse’s care you need to have a conversation with your trainer about that in the beginning before there is an issue. Remember, not all people have the same views on horse care.
Biography –
Kurt Pylman has trained and shown horses in the AQHA and OQHA since childhood. He is an AQHA national director and sits on the Professional Horseman’s Council. In the last two years, Kurt has been in the top ten in the AQHA in cutting, cowhorse and roping competition. In 2006 Kurt was a NRCHA World Championship Show Limited Open Bridle Finalist. Just recently Kurt was the Paul Dice Memorial Open Bridle Champion. He has helped numerous non-pros achieve their goals in the show pen from just having fun to being a World Champion. Pylman Performance Horses is well known and highly respected regionally and nationally for its success and dedication to making and presenting great horses. Kurt has recently relocated to Redmond OR to a fantastic, highly equipped facility. You are welcome any time to stop on in and say “howdy!” Call 503.701.5742 or email kurtpylmanperformancehorses@yahoo.com.
Paul Dice Memorial has record entries!
Paul Dice, cowhorse enthusiast, was one of the main contributors to the birth and growth of reined cowhorse competition in the Northwest. After his untimely passing, the NWRCHA created the Paul Dice Memorial Classic, a three event, NRCHA approved Bridle and Hackamore Classic held this year in Spanaway, WA. Kim Witty, NWRCHA President, said that this was the biggest turnout the Paul Dice has ever seen with 58 total entries (28 open horses and 30 Non pros)!
The level of competition was staggering, but when it all was said and done, Dan Roeser riding Ollies Playboy, owned by Rush Creek Ranch LLC, took home the overall Open Championship and the Open Hackamore Division marking a 75 down the fence!
In the Non Pro Division Mike Honald and Chic Olena Cowboy took home a much deserved Overall Non Pro Championship as well as the Bridle Division by laying down a smokin’ 76 fence run!
Winning the Open Bridle was Kurt Pylman on Lady Sox Chic, owned by Leslie Cummins, who drew hoops and hollers as his horse crawled on her belly to mark a 74 in the herd.
Murray Gudmundson and Duelin for the Deal gave a solid performance to win the Non Pro Hackamore
Bob Westlund piloted Cee My Starlight to the first ever Novice Non Pro Bridle Championship. Congratulations to all!
Upcoming Events:
American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show – Fort Worth, Texas
August 5-12
National Stock Horse Association Horse Show and Futurity – Fresno, CA
August 21-27
Oregon Reined Cowhorse Association – Hermiston, OR September 3rd
Thanks to Cheryl James for providing photographs – www.cheryljamesphotography.com
Copyright © 2009 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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