Caught in the Trap? Hobbled by Your Grind?

As a trainer, I know the grind: feed, ride, teach, repeat. The work never ends, and it is easy to measure a day’s success only by how many horses I got through. But here is the trap: if I never step out of the barn to work on my business, I stay stuck right where I am.

If you only work in your barn, you’ll miss the chance to grow beyond it.

I had to learn that growth does not come from riding more horses alone. It comes when I carve out time to strengthen the business side. That might mean creating systems, finding overlooked revenue, or cutting out inefficiencies that eat away at profit.

I have started to ask myself: What is one thing I can do today to propel my business forward? Here are a few ideas that have helped me and could help you:

[ ] Finish your billing today if you are behind

[ ] Decide to start charging clients for a service you have been performing but doing for free

[ ] Discuss with your employee or staff the cost of inefficiency

[ ] Determine your true profitability for the month

[ ] Create a three-month business improvement plan

[ ] Sell something you do not use anymore

[ ] Book a clinician spot with someone who will push your skills and perspective

One step today creates margin tomorrow. Do not just train your horses. Train your business to work for you.

That is why I created and am also a paying member of the Alliance of Professional Horse Trainers. It is a place where other trainers get it, where we share practical ideas like these, hold each other accountable, and swap real-world solutions that make a difference in the barn and in the books.

If you are ready to step beyond the trap, come be part of the conversation.

Together, we are building a stronger and more sustainable future for professional horse trainers.

Shannon Pigott