Ep 67: Preparing a Colt for the First Ride
Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot more patient about putting the first ride on a horse.
I want the horse to be able to engage the thinking side of its brain before I ever put my foot in the stirrup. Before I ever swing a leg over a horse’s back, I want to have that animal so well-prepared that the only new thing I’m introducing is the weight in the saddle.
Before that first ride, I will spend a significant amount of time on groundwork (i.e. moving them around in the round pen, using the flexion rig, etc.). These exercises are the most foundational way to begin teaching that animal to learn off of a pressure-release system.
A horse can’t be confident and insecure at the same time.
A horse has to have a certain amount of trust in me before I attempt to get on its back. By helping my horse be prepared for that first ride, I build that horse’s confidence and reduce any insecurity toward the situation.
During the groundwork phase, I want that horse to get to the point where it is able to recognize the release and begins to associate me with that relief.
To learn more about the exercises we use in our colt starting program, check out the Foundation and Fundamentals online training program. You can also check our clinic schedule for upcoming Colt Starting Clinics.
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