Ep 262: Setting Realistic Goals for Conditioning Yourself and Your Horses
In this episode, I am previewing our upcoming Colt Starting Mentorship weeks and addressing two questions from our audience about physical conditioning and setting realistic timelines for getting with a new horse.
Preparing Your Horse’s Foundation
I’m gearing up for some of my favorite weeks of the year—our colt starting mentorship weeks. We’ve got a great group of two-year-olds and yearlings lined up, and it’s always exciting to see how much progress we can make in such a short amount of time.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s easy to skip over the basics. We often get so focused on pushing forward with training that we overlook the importance of laying a solid foundation. But let me tell you, almost all the challenges we face down the road in training can be traced back to gaps in that initial groundwork.
When I first started this journey back in 1981, I have to admit—I didn’t have a complete or thorough foundation process. Sure, there were some things we did that worked well and helped, but looking back, I see plenty of holes in my approach. Back then, we didn’t train horses to sell them. Most of the horses I worked with were kept by the people who rode them, and we’d ride them for years. I’ll be honest, the horses we trained often ended up having the same challenges that I wasn’t quite prepared to handle.
But here’s the deal—there’s always room for improvement. That’s something I don’t think any of us can ever escape, no matter how long we’ve been doing this. Every day, we have the chance to get better, and there’s always something we can learn from others. Everyone has their own way of applying their foundation program, and while each approach may be different, the importance of the program itself can’t be overstated.
The foundation is crucial. It needs to be clear, thorough, and presented in a way that the horse can understand. And more importantly, it needs to make sense. If a horse doesn’t understand the release—if they don’t know that uncomfortable feeling will eventually lead to something better—they won’t be able to focus on thinking. The release is everything. It’s how we teach the horse, and when they understand that, they’ll start looking for that answer every time they feel discomfort. That’s when the magic happens.
We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for the upcoming mentorship weeks. These sessions are going to be jam-packed with hands-on experience, with trainers putting their first rides on horses, and others who want to understand what the foundation should look like before that first ride even happens. And let me tell you—when we put that solid foundation in place, the results are unbelievable. The horses progress faster, and they progress better.
A good foundation makes a trainer’s job so much easier. When I’ve had horses come in with a solid foundation, the time spent on them is far more efficient, and it pays off in the long run. Not only does it make the trainer’s job easier, but it also sets the horse up for a much better future. Every horse we work with deserves that, and every trainer deserves to see those results. It’s all about setting them up for success in the future.
When it comes to training, there are two primary ways a horse thinks: they’re either thinking, or they’re reacting. And that’s something I’ve felt for over 40 years of working with horses. They can only hold one thought process at a time, and the goal is always to keep them in that thinking mode. When they’re reacting—when they’re in defense mode, flight mode, or self-preservation mode—they’re not focused on learning. We want to make sure they associate us with something positive: thinking and learning, not defending themselves from us.
Now, let me share something really cool about these mentorship weeks. Beyond just colt starting, we’ll be tying in foundational horsemanship with personal development and even brand building. Whether you’re training horses for yourself or for clients, building a brand is part of the process. The more you invest in the foundation, the more value you’re adding to that horse—and that value helps you build your brand.
I’m really looking forward to hearing the feedback from the trainers. They all bring something unique to the table, and they’re all looking for ways to improve their programs, just like we are.
Preparing Your Own Physical Foundation
Now, on a different note, one of our listeners, Sadie Schields, asked me a great question recently: What do I do to stay in physical shape as a rider? Well, the simplest place to start is just to keep riding. After my partial knee replacement, I had to take a break, but I got back in the saddle as soon as I could. There’s no substitute for riding to stay in shape. It’s amazing how quickly your muscles lose their endurance when you’re not riding regularly.
But, there’s more to it than just riding. I also make time to work on my core strength. Core strength is everything, especially as we get older. It’s what keeps us balanced and stable in the saddle, so I make sure to work on it, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. And while I’m not a fan of working out, I know it’s important. Some days I get out for a walk or stretch, and that counts too. It doesn’t have to be a perfect workout, just something to keep me moving.
And remember—being in good physical condition isn’t just about riding or hitting the gym. It’s about staying active in your day-to-day life. Doing manual labor around the ranch, cleaning stalls, or moving hay—those are all part of staying in shape. It’s about staying consistent and finding ways to stay active throughout the day, even if it’s not a structured workout.
But one thing I’ll leave you with is this—don’t underestimate the importance of what you’re putting into your body. Eating well is key, especially when it comes to maintaining muscle mass as we get older. It’s a lot like investing money—you may not see the results right away, but over time, it adds up. So take care of yourself, both in and out of the saddle.
Setting Realistic Goals for Getting with a New Horse
A great question came through recently from Amy Davenport, asking, What do you do when you get a new horse? How long does it take for things to click, and what can you do daily to build on that relationship? Well, I’ve got a lot of thoughts on this one, especially from my own experiences over the years.
When I buy a new horse, whether it’s a young colt or a seasoned rope horse, I’m always looking for one thing—potential. But here’s the thing—potential doesn’t mean instant results. The truth is, it takes time for you and the horse to mesh. When I was competing in rodeos, I bought horses with the expectation that I could ride them immediately, but that doesn’t mean we were “in sync” right away. In fact, one of the best horses I ever had took a full year of riding and working with him before we really clicked.
I’ll tell you something—getting on a new horse is always a bit of a feeling-out process. Even if you’re riding a top-tier horse, it’s not an instant bond. The feel, timing, and balance need to be developed together. It’s not just about the horse getting used to you; it’s about both of you learning each other’s signals and cues.
That’s especially true in high-stakes events like barrel racing. These horses have to make quick transitions and changes in speed and direction, often in a fraction of a second. As a rider, you’re guiding them through feel, not just pulling on the reins. Developing that connection takes time, but it’s essential if you want to have a horse that’s responsive and understands your intentions without confusion.
The same applies when I buy a new calf horse. There’s so much going on in that event—it’s not just about your timing in the saddle but how well the horse can adapt to each run, each change, and each moment. It’s a lot to ask of them, and it requires a bond that’s built over time. You need to give both yourself and the horse grace to learn together.
One of the biggest things I can stress when it comes to getting a new horse is consistency. You can’t rush the process. Spend time with that horse every day. Ride, work, build that relationship in a slow and steady way. The more time you spend on their back, the better you’ll get to know each other. And yes, it’s easy to get frustrated during this process. I’ve been there. It’s easy to take your frustration out on the horse, but that doesn’t help anyone. Patience is key.
To maximize the success you’ll have with a new horse, focus on the process, not just the end result. The results will come if you keep working and keep improving every day. Keep building that relationship, stay consistent, and trust that things will click when the time is right.
So, to answer Amy’s question: When you get a new horse, give it time, ride consistently, and allow both you and the horse to adjust to each other. Every ride is progress, and over time, that relationship will turn into something special. Keep getting better every day, and the end result will show up.
