AboutClaire Expertise I can answer any questions that have to do with Saddle Seat, Saddlebreds, and Saddle Seat Equitation and any breed that has to do with Saddle Seat. I am by no means an expert but I will try to answer your question the best I can or I will help point you in the right direction.
Experience Saddle Seat.
Organizations When I owned a horse I was a member to the USEF, UPHA, and ASHA.
Publications I have written or co-written articles on a website that focuses on Saddle Seat Equitation:
http://regaljada.tripod.com/saddleseatequitation/index.html
Education/Credentials 15 years of riding and showing American Saddlebreds on a national level training with one of the best Saddlebred barns in the country. I have experience with giving Equitation lessons and some Saddle Seat training experience.
Question Hi, Im a returning horseperson & Morgan/Saddlebred owner & showing from 18 yrs. ago with a 12 yr.old NSH Pinto gelding I "rescued"& is now in retraining with an excellent resistance free trainer. My question is 2-part. One, Is it likely that my horse will trust the trainer vs. me even though I spend time grooming, taking walks on lead, & just observe training sessions? and two, What can I do, or ask of my trainer (if appropriate at all) for me to be more involved with actual " hands on" so that I don't feel so disconnected from my horse?
Answer Welcome back to the horse world! Congrats on rescuing a horse, he is very lucky.
I do believe your horse can trust you and your trainer. Your trainer working your horse is building trust in the training sessions. A horse will not work and do what you are ask if it does not trust the trainer. You build trust by showing the horse that you will keep it safe and that can be done by both of you. You are his owner and your trainer is his teacher/personal trainer.
I do think you need to let your trainer do his job while working the horse. The trainer will build a training program around your horse and it will become more difficult to build on top of it with someone always stepping in. Now you could ask if there are ground exercises or stretches that you could do with your horse that would help improve the horse's well being and make your trainer's job easier without bothering the trainer while he works.
If the horse has a home and team where he feels safe and where he feels better (because he is healthy and in shape) then he is very lucky.
