Evaluations

[blackboi]

Hi all,

I was wondering if you could offer me some input. I have a trainer who has an OTTB and would like me to come out to evaluate him and set up a follow up/treatment plan.

One of my faults is scheduling future appointments at the current appointment since I don't want to pressure or push myself on them. I'm aware that as a business it's important to "sell" in some form or another. I have a printout of recommended plans depending on activity level that I give every owner/trainer but I'm still a bit unsure of how to assess how many/often treatments (massage or MFR) are needed. Is there a way to handle this professionally? Of course, the cash flow would be nice but I don't want to schedule a horse if it isn't really needed. I'd rather have steady work that is of benefit to the horse and doesn't run the owner/trainer dry. If that makes sense.

My other question is how do you do an evaluation from a massage/MFR standpoint? I have a quick eval that I do for massage that basically tells me what's reactive and gives the horse an idea of what kind of pressure they will receive. Some therapists in the area offer an in depth evaluation that lasts at least a half hour to an hour (and some 1.5 hours) but I have no idea what they are doing during these evaluations. I'm sure some moving eval work will be done but beyond that?

Should there be a charge for an evaluation? Again, local therapists are charging but the way this trainer worded it, it doesn't sound like she's expecting a fee. She mentioned trying to see if other people in the barn are interested in having work done to "make it worth my while." I'm okay with some free work to get into a barn (although I am already in this barn) but I don't want it to become the norm if that's not how it's suppose to be. (Especially if I'm traveling to barns further away as the business grows.)

I'm nervous but very excited to be working with this horse and trainer. I want to do things professionally and right. (I worry when working with someone who has loads more horse experience than I do and especially if they are overlooking the session. I'm aware everyone starts somewhere but I don't want to sound like an idiot at the same time. lol.)

Truly grateful for any advice or suggestions anyone can offer. Thank you!

 

[classy lady]

Evaluations

I have found that the rider is the best source for all your questions. It is important to know the owners goals what kind of trainer the horse is doing, is the horse going to be show? What are the feet and mouth issue's if any.

Know the training challanges... Is the OTTB not able to use the outside rein (for example). Or is the horse bolting.

I always do a lot of mouth work on horse bc most riders use their hands a lot and don't know how to have proper connact with the bit.

As for massage or MFR I have found the horses I work on have better results with MFR

 

[Yimei]

Evaluations

I think charging for an evaluation is up to you. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. If I have to travel a good distance, than I usually do. It's your professional time and so it's fair to be compensated for it. If I feel the work isn't going to benefit the animal and the owner needs to seek guidance from a Vet, than I usually don't charge. You can work the cost of the eval into the first appointment. You can be creative in how you approach the eval and do what feels best for you.

I don't necessarily need an animal to move for me to evaluate what is going on. Sometimes the owner will understand better, if you do have the animal move...so they may feel more confident in you as a practitioner. If I do a separate eval, I like to give the owner a copy of my findings. I purchased some inexpensive software and emailed notes on most sessions anyway.

Hope some of this is helpful to you - good luck, you'll do great!

 

[familyguy]

Evaluations

I really appreciate the feedback. (Not sure why I didn't get an email notification. Otherwise I would have responded sooner.)

The appointment was a success. It's impossible to over-prepare but I was certainly ready.

Thank you for the help!

 

[dani_e152003]

Evaluations

The appointment was a success.

YAY - I knew it would be! t041