[ELA]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

First of all how many trainers in S. Cal have 40 horses? 15? That leaves the majority under that #. 2nd why do you think trainers are making enough money to pay themselves $130000? We are not asking for sympathy but would like owners to pay their bills on time and quit acting like we are raking in all this money. It simply is not so. I train between 30-45 horses and charge a competitive day rate and understand the finances very clearly. You are living on a razor thin margin that can change in a heart beat if a big owner fires you or doesn't pay his bill. We have to put up all the money in front so that the show continues to go on. Then we have to chase the money that is owed to us to try to catch up to the money that is paid out. Then there are all the little things that you fail to account for. Like if 2 or 3 horses get claimed or hurt, do you drop your employees salaries because you lost income? No you bite the bullet and make up the difference. If your feed supplier raises his rates do you not pay him? What about when your workmans comp goes up? Who pays for that?
You are implying that trainers who drive nice cars and live in nice houses are all making big bucks and crying poverty. That is complete BS. That attitude is why so many owners are so bad when it comes to paying bills. They see it as a luxury for a trainer as opposed to what it really is.

Excellent post.

Eric