How to locate the horse trainer from hell

Please read this first

If you are looking for a horse trainer and don't know who to avoid then just look them up here. Look under your location (if no location then just suggest one under any of the posts as a comment and I will add it ASAP) for horse trainers from hell and look at the comments. See if the horse trainer you are thinking about taking lessons from or sending your horse to has a tale from hell. If you have experienced a horse trainer from hell either a professional or amateur then let off some steam here and let the rest of the horse world know about them. Don't forget to name names. Please read this first before posting If the trainer in question disputes the claims they find on here then they are very welcome to post a comment too. Tell only the truth. Comments are only moderated to screen out ads for websites or "buy this or that" spam and for not staying on topic. General comments should be made under the "General Blog Posts" category.



How to locate the wrong or right horse professional

Are you one of those people who seem to never find the right person to work with your horse? Is it the wrong trainer, farrier or vet? Never fear a new website has popped up just for you. Touted as a place to find the right horse professional instead of the wrong one, it will guide you to your dream trainer, vet or farrier......for a fee. That's right you have to join their little club to see what's behind door number 1. That website is called Rate My Horse PRO and it is being discussed on various message boards and blogs.

I first heard about the website back in June 2010 and it was just in its planning stages then. I had my doubts about the website but thought, hey this is a good idea. I thought it would be run like the BBB of the horse world....but I was wrong.

If you go to the website and click on trainers, it has a pop up which shows a list of trainers (why does it always show the wrong state for me I am not sure) then if you click on "go to PRO finder" takes you to a sign up page where you have to pay $5 just to see if the trainer you are trying to look up is even listed on the website. I was curious about a horse trainer in a neighboring state but I was not about to pay $5 just to see if they were even listed. Of course there is no telling if the website has horse trainers that sign up just to give glowing reviews about themselves. Let's face it I don't like having to be a "member" just to get information on a business.

Here is something from their FAQ page:

"What is the verification process?
A one time verification fee of $5 will apply to pay for this safe and secure process to ensure the ratings are accurate and reliable."

HOW IN THE HECK DOES $5 ENSURE ACCURATE AND RELIABLE RATINGS!!!
That is what I want to know. Money does not breed honesty.

Another item from their FAQ page:
"PROs who are listed on the site should take an active role in reviewing their ratings and inviting current customers to rate them."

Now there is a one sided rating system. I bet they never tell their unhappy customers they are even listed. Of course if the website is behind "closed doors" the trainer's listing and information is also hidden from Google so it will never show up in searches.

This is also from their website on their Terms of Use page, and quite frankly is a little scary:

"8. FEES

By registering on the Site, you are authorizing us to bill you in accordance with the fee schedule, and to automatically deduct one-time, monthly, annual, or other periodic fees from your credit card as set forth therein. Fees will not be pro-rated. You may terminate your registration by sending an email request to terminate to service@ratemyhorsepro.com. Please allow 30 days for termination to take effect. If you elect to make payments on the Service using a credit card, you hereby authorize us and any of our processors to charge all amounts owed as a result of your use of the Service to the credit card you provide us. You assume all responsibility for notifying us of changes in credit card numbers and/or expiration dates. We may also require a secondary credit card number to be used only if the payment to us by your primary credit card is declined. You shall additionally be responsible for and shall immediately pay us, on demand, any payments that are made to us that are subject to a subsequent reversal or chargeback. You represent and warrant that the credit card information supplied to us is true, correct, and complete, that that payments made by you will be honored by your credit card company, and that you shall pay for all charges incurred through use of your login credential. You are solely responsible for payment of all sales and other taxes arising from your use and access of the Service."

Now didn't they just mention a one time $5 sign up fee on their FAQ page? So what is this part about a fee schedule?

Has anyone used this website yet? I know that many people plan on steering clear of it (via message boards I have read) because they require a membership fee and the fact the information is hidden. If you have joined I would be curious to hear about your experiences with the website.