Ep 264: Recapping our Colt Starting Mentorships

We just wrapped up our second week of colt starting mentorships for the fall season, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything turned out. The more I get into these mentorships, the more I realize just how much the colt starting process is in demand within our industry. People are recognizing the need for a solid foundation on young horses, and it’s exciting to be part of that shift.

In the past, colt starters weren’t always as well-respected and rewarded as they are today. Often, they were kind of at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of training roles. It’s a tough, physically demanding job, and let’s face it, starting colts the right way takes a lot of time. Unfortunately, that time isn’t always compensated well enough to make it sustainable. Many great colt starters ended up leaving the industry, either because of injuries or simply because they couldn’t make a living doing it.

But things are changing. More and more, I’m hearing about people who want to learn the right way to start colts and who understand the importance of laying a solid foundation. The demand is there, and it’s clear to me that we need to give colt starters the time and resources they need to do the job right. That’s why these mentorships have become so important, and I’m glad to see the industry recognizing the value of a proper foundation.

The truth is, starting colts takes a lot of time and effort. That first 30 days is crucial—the most time-consuming and impactful days in a colt’s early training. If you’re doing it right, that’s when you’re laying the groundwork for everything that comes after. And, in my opinion, getting that initial training paid for properly is essential. It’s a lot of work, and it’s not something that should be rushed.

One of the things I’ve been focusing on with these mentorships is getting trainers to understand how important it is to work with horses of all ages in a similar way. We’ve worked with weanlings, yearlings, and two-year-olds over the past two weeks, and while the approach changes depending on the age and stage of the horse, the core principles are the same. It’s all about getting the horse’s mind to connect with you, getting them to think, and teaching them how to respond instead of react.

That’s one of the biggest takeaways from the mentorships—understanding that a horse’s response is either coming from their thinking side or their reacting side. There’s no in-between. You either get a calm, thoughtful response, or you get a reaction driven by fear and flight. And the best way to get a horse to respond the right way is to build trust and consistency from the start.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve worked in the round pen, on the ground, and off helper horses. The use of a helper horse is something I really believe in because it helps a young horse feel more secure. It’s easier for them to trust you when they’re in a position where they feel part of the herd. This method also allows you to work more efficiently and safely, which is especially important when you’re dealing with young, green horses.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the trainers gain confidence and improve over the course of the mentorships. At the start, many were uncomfortable with certain exercises or techniques, but by the end of the week, you could see the change. They were more decisive, more confident, and they had a clearer understanding of what they were asking from the horse. That’s a huge part of being a successful colt starter. If you’re not clear on what response you’re looking for, neither will the horse.

One of the biggest things I emphasize during these mentorships is that it’s okay to make mistakes. The key is to practice and learn from those mistakes. The only way to get better is to get in there and start working. You can read all the books and listen to all the podcasts, but until you put that knowledge into practice, it’s just information. The real learning happens when you get uncomfortable and push yourself to apply what you know.

Safety is always a priority, of course. But it’s also about pushing yourself to improve, to learn, and to grow as a trainer. If you’re willing to invest in yourself and put in the work, you’re going to see results. And the results speak for themselves. Whether it’s the way a horse responds to pressure or the confidence a trainer gains in their own skills, the progress made during these mentorships is undeniable.

If you get the chance, I highly recommend joining us for one of these mentorship weeks. It’s not just about learning the mechanics of colt starting; it’s about developing the mindset and the confidence to be a successful horseman. It’s about investing in yourself and committing to your growth every day. Because when you’re committed to growing, you’ll never stop progressing.