I’ve been in the round pen a lot recently, working with some young colts, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how we navigate the different stages horses go through during training. Today, I want to dive into the process of getting through those tough spots—whether it’s with a colt that’s in denial, a horse that’s afraid, or one that’s just flat-out not interested. These stages are all part of the process, and understanding them is key to moving forward.

The Importance of Starting Slow

I started a cow bred colt yesterday—a beautiful, strong horse with an amazing pedigree. He’s got the athleticism that makes him a real prospect, but like a lot of young colts, he’s also got a lot of resistance. I spent a solid three to four hours with him before I even thought about getting on his back. We took breaks throughout the day, but that time spent on the ground was all about earning his trust and setting a solid foundation.

The key takeaway here is: safety first. A colt like this one can be really athletic, and that athleticism is a double-edged sword. It’s great for performance when we’re asking them to give us their all, but when starting them, it’s a bit of a wild card. You have to be prepared for the bucking that often comes with a horse that strong and athletic. And if you’re ever in a situation where you’re feeling unsafe, listen to that instinct. Trust your gut. Don’t push through something you’re not comfortable with.

Managing Denial and Fear

When it comes to starting horses, there are four stages I see most often: denial, fear, curiosity, and indifference. Denial is where the horse plants its feet and says, “I’m not going anywhere.” Fear is when they’re reacting to something new, and curiosity happens when they begin to explore and figure things out. Finally, there’s indifference—when the horse doesn’t care anymore, and that’s where we want them to be.

Yesterday, my colt was definitely in denial. I was working him on the lead rope, asking him to follow his nose, but he wasn’t having it. He’d plant his feet, throw a little fit, and just stop. Now, I wasn’t pulling on him, but I was holding steady pressure, letting him figure out that if he moved his feet, he’d get relief. And let me tell you, it wasn’t always pretty. There were a few moments where I had to be patient and just hold that pressure until he gave in. Eventually, after a few seconds, he figured it out.

Don’t Let Denial Become a Negotiation

One of the biggest things you have to understand when a horse is in denial is that you can’t let them dictate the pace. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. You have to be patient but firm. Denial is a natural response, but if you let the horse win, you start entering into a negotiation. If you let them get away with it once, they’ll start to figure out that they can get their way by refusing. And that’s a dangerous place to be in.

Ray Hunt once told me, “Make the right answer easy, and the wrong answer uncomfortable.” That stuck with me. When the horse is in denial, it’s your job to make that denial uncomfortable enough that they start searching for the right answer. For my colt yesterday, that meant holding steady and waiting for him to give me the right answer. And when he did, I rewarded him by releasing the pressure.

Understanding the Difference Between Fear and Denial

I get asked a lot about horses that are scared or fearful. Fear and denial are two very different things. Fear is natural, and I don’t mind a horse being scared. It’s when a horse refuses to move out of a place of denial that you have to really be mindful of your approach. Denial says, “I’m not moving,” and fear says, “I’m scared, I need to get out of here.” Those are two very distinct behaviors that need different strategies to get through.

Moving Through the Stages

With a horse that’s in fear, we need to work them through that and help them face their fears. That could mean desensitizing them to things like tarps, flags, or other objects that might scare them. With denial, it’s all about getting their feet moving, getting them to follow the contact, and getting them to think rather than act out of instinct.

For me, a lot of times, it’s about getting them to follow their nose. When I pick up the bridle rein, I want them to start thinking about their feet before I even ask. That’s where the groundwork starts. It’s about creating that foundation of thought before I even get on their back.

The Power of Curiosity

Once you get through the fear and denial, you hit curiosity. That’s the sweet spot. When the horse is curious, they’re willing to explore the new task at hand. And that’s when real progress happens. With my colt yesterday, once we got through the rough spots and he started following his nose, he began to put in more effort. That’s when I knew we were on the right track.

Curiosity is a powerful thing. When a horse gets to that stage, you can start adding in more challenges. You can begin introducing new tasks, and they’ll be willing to engage with you because they’re curious about what’s next. That’s when the learning starts to accelerate.

Rewarding Progress, Not Perfection

When I got on the colt, it wasn’t perfect. But we made progress. We got some good steps forward, and I was able to get a few nice disengagements from his hindquarters. And when I saw that, I got off. That was his reward. The goal wasn’t to make him perfect in one day—it was to make progress. And that’s where you need to focus when you’re starting a colt or working through tough spots with any horse. You’re looking for progress, not perfection.

The Key to Moving Forward

When it comes to working with horses, you’re either going to commit your time or pay someone else for theirs. If you keep doing the same thing and expecting different results, you’re stuck. And I’ve been there. I’ve made that mistake in my career. I’ve been stuck in situations where I kept trying the same thing, but nothing changed. You have to be willing to change your approach if you want to move forward.

Invest in the Process

I understand that sometimes you hit a tough spot with your horse and you need help getting through it. That’s where clinics, private lessons, and mentorships come in. They’re not just about learning a new skill—they’re about getting unstuck. It’s about getting the knowledge and guidance you need to get your horse through that tough spot and keep making progress.

It’s also about understanding that it’s okay to ask for help. Whether you’re working with a colt or an older horse, you can’t do it alone all the time. That’s why I always say, don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. Take the time to learn, get the help you need, and then apply it to your own horses.

Conclusion

So as we head into the new year, remember that horses are always teaching us. They’re a mirror to our own patience, perseverance, and mindset. Every time we hit a rough patch, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better. Keep your focus on the process, understand the stages, and always be patient with your horse—and yourself. Keep making progress, and remember, it’s all about the journey.