Ketheran Trainer
So You Want to Train a Ketheran?
Some say a Ketheran Trainer is born, not made, but that it still takes years of work to become one. Too often, young folk show up at a Training Hold hoping to be taken on as a Junior Trainer, and are shocked to hear they need several years of experience. It's easy to understand why folks dream of training these amazing magical hybrids, part caribou, part snow leopard. But a Ketheran Trainer's day is not a glamorous one, at all. A good day is one when nothing of note has happened.
If you did become a Trainer, you would rise well before the sun comes up, especially in winter. You need to check over all of the Ketheran teams assigned to you with care, then give the harnesses the same in depth inspection, looking for damage or wear. Finally you will begin harnessing up the beasts for the day's work, with a close eye on your teams. It is your job to spot a problem animal before things get underway.
The bulk of your day will be spent running training drills. Your Ketheran may be pulling weighted sleds to simulate the weight of a cart, or perhaps learning how to brake in icy conditions. You will be teaching your charges to work together, in different configurations, and with different teams. All day you look for and gently correct problems, while rewarding good behavior. You must be patient, and above all, confident and calm to successfully work with Ketheran.
After the noon meal, it will be more of the same, but this time, you're working with real wagons and trails beyond the Hold. Your goal is not necessarily to run a perfect route. More often that not, you will be simulating various problems that could arise to see how the beasts react, and guide them. Your job is to ensure they can handle themselves even when things go awry.
After dusk has fallen you return to the Hold. Your first priority is to check the Ketheran over for any injuries or strain. Once you are sure of the beasts' safety and comfort, you report to the Senior Trainer all that you have observed that day: who needs more training, who is ready for the next stage. Finally, you'll return to your bunk room or cabin, and rub liniment on all the aches and bruises for today.
Tomorrow, you'll do it all again.
If you did become a Trainer, you would rise well before the sun comes up, especially in winter. You need to check over all of the Ketheran teams assigned to you with care, then give the harnesses the same in depth inspection, looking for damage or wear. Finally you will begin harnessing up the beasts for the day's work, with a close eye on your teams. It is your job to spot a problem animal before things get underway.
The bulk of your day will be spent running training drills. Your Ketheran may be pulling weighted sleds to simulate the weight of a cart, or perhaps learning how to brake in icy conditions. You will be teaching your charges to work together, in different configurations, and with different teams. All day you look for and gently correct problems, while rewarding good behavior. You must be patient, and above all, confident and calm to successfully work with Ketheran.
After the noon meal, it will be more of the same, but this time, you're working with real wagons and trails beyond the Hold. Your goal is not necessarily to run a perfect route. More often that not, you will be simulating various problems that could arise to see how the beasts react, and guide them. Your job is to ensure they can handle themselves even when things go awry.
After dusk has fallen you return to the Hold. Your first priority is to check the Ketheran over for any injuries or strain. Once you are sure of the beasts' safety and comfort, you report to the Senior Trainer all that you have observed that day: who needs more training, who is ready for the next stage. Finally, you'll return to your bunk room or cabin, and rub liniment on all the aches and bruises for today.
Tomorrow, you'll do it all again.
Career
Qualifications
A good trainer is calm under pressure. They show patience, consistency, keen observation skills and good judgment. They show confidence but not recklessness, and are willing to work as part of a team, with both humans and Ketheran. Most importantly, they need the physical stamina to work long hours with large animals and in severe weather conditions.
Don't bother to apply unless you're up to speed on safe handling techniques, proper fitting of tack and harnesses, basic grooming and care, and what to do in an emergency. You also need to know how to read Ketheran body language and to recognize illness and injury, before you even start.
And it wouldn't hurt you to have a letter of recommendation from a senior trainer or breeder, either.
Don't bother to apply unless you're up to speed on safe handling techniques, proper fitting of tack and harnesses, basic grooming and care, and what to do in an emergency. You also need to know how to read Ketheran body language and to recognize illness and injury, before you even start.
And it wouldn't hurt you to have a letter of recommendation from a senior trainer or breeder, either.
by Nightflyer0ne via Midjourney
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