I want to talk about something I see coming in our industry—and it’s a big opportunity if you’re paying attention.

There’s a growing need for quality colt starters, and at the same time, fewer and fewer people are truly equipped to do it well. And, that gap is only going to get wider.

When you look at the numbers, it’s pretty simple. Last year alone, there were tens of thousands of horses registered through the American Quarter Horse Association. That means every year, there are tens of thousands of young horses that need to be started.

And the reality is, there aren’t enough skilled horsemen to do it.

There are people that will take one or two here and there, but that doesn’t move the needle. Starting colts at a high level takes time, experience, repetition, and feel. And those are things you can’t shortcut.

That’s where the opportunity is.

Why Colt Starting Takes Time to Master

Colt starting is not something you just figure out in a few weeks.

You don’t “have one started” after a handful of rides. What you’ve got is a horse that’s just beginning to understand something. That’s it.

Every ride, you’re building—or breaking—understanding.

And every time you step in the stirrup, that horse is responding to what they feel that day. Not what they learned yesterday. Not what someone else taught them last week.

That puts the responsibility right back on us.

Colt starting is becoming a bit of a lost art for one simple reason—it’s hard.

It takes:

Time
Repetition
Good instruction
And a willingness to stay consistent when it’s not easy

There aren’t a lot of places left where people can go get those reps and that guidance.

That’s what I saw firsthand during our recent colt starting mentorship. We had a great group of people at different stages—some with a lot of experience, some just getting started—but every single one of them improved because they committed to the process.

They showed up, did the work, and stayed open to learning. That’s what separates people in this business.

How to Become a Great Colt Starter

Here’s the part people need to understand:

If you’re going to be good at starting colts, you’ve got to be willing to do hard things—every day.

There are going to be days when the horse is confused, the timing isn’t right, or you’re just not at your best.

If your response to that is frustration, you’re going to struggle. But if you can stay steady, think through it, and keep your focus on helping that horse understand, that’s where progress happens. That’s where good colt starters are made.

This isn’t just about riding horses. It’s about how you manage yourself.

We talked a lot during the mentorship about personal development, and it’s something I believe in more and more the longer I do this.

If you’re not willing to work on yourself—your mindset, your discipline, your consistency—you’re not going to reach your potential as a horseman.

You’ve got to be willing to do things that are uncomfortable, stay focused when it’s not easy, and control your thoughts instead of letting them control you. Because your horse is going to feel every bit of that.

The Opportunity in the Colt Starting Industry

Here’s what I know for sure:

The demand for quality colt starters is going to increase.
The number of people capable of doing it well is not.

That creates an opportunity—but only for the ones willing to put in the time and the work to get good at it.

Not just interested. Committed. So if you enjoy the process, if you’re willing to stay patient, and if you’re serious about getting better—stick with it.

Keep getting your rides. Keep learning. Keep doing the hard things. Because a few years from now, you’re going to look up—and that opportunity is going to be right there in front of you.

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