sorry about the partial post. Ok, so there are a myriad of ways to get into a respectable trainers position in the industry. Certification programs merely mean you have achieved a minimum requirement by someones standards, and this may mean more dollars to you in the long run. Many programs are very lenient with regards XXXXX XXXXX training skills, and others are customized to a particular trainers program. Online training cert programs are several thousand dollars, while privatized trainer programs can run 20-30 thousand depending on the expert involved. The first thing to do is decide which facet of the industry you want to serve and then position yourself for long term success in that area. If you want to give average horse owners some reassurance you are capable and knowledgeable then the online programs or similar would be sufficient. If you wish to serve the natural horsemanship sector, then tailor your program to match their needs. If you want to be a successful show trainer, the best way to do that is to intern (or have a working student position) with a top trainer in that field. Many facilities require a trainers cert to set up shop, but understand that certification does not translate into talent with horses. You cannot purchase that, although the majority of people can be trained to become reasonably competent with horses and basic training. Overall, deciding what your training goals are will help you decide where to go for your certification. If at any time you decide that being a horse trainer per se is not your forte, then you can always switch and become another type of professional in the industry. Knowledge will always serve you well, and when it comes to modern economics and the horse industry, learning how to position yourself for your desired outcome will make all the difference in the world. Also remember that you are investing in your future and a great program compared to an ok program will mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars long term, as well as more or less security in the "economically wobbly" horse industry. If you have further questions, please ask, I love to talk horse!

Best Regards,

Susie L, MS