Starting A Colt B
Back

In last month's issue we covered the groundwork and preparation for the first ride. Now we have laid the groundwork on our green horse. Ruby knows about pressure and release of pressure, how to give her head, bend and flex and is now ready for the saddle and first ride.
If I have done my homework with some of the exercises we have done in our earlier lessons, my green horse should stand quietly next to me out in the middle of the round pen. Ruby has learned not to pull on the head rope away from me and not to crowd or walk on me. The first step we take is to get the colt to accept the saddle blanket or pad. Holding the lead rope in my left hand, with my right hand I slowly bring the blanket up so Ruby can see and smell it, giving her time to check it out. If the sight of that is more than she can handle and she wants to leave, I let her leave. Always remember, don't putany more pressure on them than they can handle. If we do, that's when bad experiences happen. I bring the blanket up to her again. I don't try and force Ruby to stand still or tie her up. She knows that if it's too much for her, she can leave or get away. With the previous training I have done, she shouldn't be dragging me around. She should be just trotting a circle around me. I repeat this process until she lets me touch her in the neck and shoulders with the blanket. I then slowly work the blanket back keeping contact with her so she knows where it is at all times. I repeat this process with both sides, then with the saddle. By giving her room to leave if she wants to, it keeps her more relaxed because she knows if its too much she can leave. When she does stand still while t move the blanket around on her, I know she has accepted it and is comfortable with that step. Then we can move on. Again, remember training is a step by step process and it is our job to
make sure our horses accept and understand what we are presenting to them.
When working up close to or around a.
colt you want to move quietly and smoothly at first. I also try to keep my left hand, with the rope in it, placed on the neck or shoulder while I'm saddling or working closely with the colt. I do this for two reasons. First, you will be able to feel them when they tense up or if something is bothering them. Secondly, if something is bothering them and they should happen to jump your way, you can safely push yourself away.
Once I have the saddle on their back, I slowly reach under and get my cinch. (Picture #4) I want to take at least two wraps with my cinch strap before I pull it up so if she jumps a bit, it should still hold. Also, if I can have her stepping or moving (Picture #5) it seems to help take the surprise out of it. I also like to have a breast collar on my colts and get that fastened as soon as I can to prevent the saddle from rolling on them. Anything you can do to prevent a wreck or bad experience will greatly be worth your effort. We only get one fIrst time to start a colt and, right or wrong, it will stay with them forever. If you have a nice colt and are taking the time to start it right, the process should be slow paced and, for a non-horse person, almost boring. .
After I have cinched up the colt, I ask her to move out and lounge around me. If Ruby starts to buck or run, I try to hang onto the rope. It gives her a bit of security and I can bring her down under control much quicker than if she were loose.
When she is relaxed, then go through
all the rope halter exercises we talked about earlier. Flexing, bending and softening her with the saddle on.

Then I do more sacking exercises by taking the stirrups and
slap the center of the saddle and take a hold of the horn shaking the saddle so they get used to movement and noise.
The next thing I do is prepare her for mounting. I like to do what I call "checking" her. I take hold of the halter right by the jaw and bend her around me. This gives me control, and I can tell what she is going to do if I have a hold of her head. (Picture #12) I put my foot in the stirrup and my right hand on the saddle horn. If she is still quiet, I will hop up and down on the one foot. If she moves, I let her but I try to keep my foot in the stirrup because I have her head bent around me. She will just make a tight circle around me. I do this with both sides. then I slowly raise myself up and lay across the saddle, keeping both legs on one side so if she reacts negatively, I can quickly and easily get off and away from her. (Picture #13) I have done this several times and she is standing quietly. She is now ready for her first ride. If the colt has been quiet and handled everything well, I would go ahead and get on. If she was a little broncy or very nervous, I might wait one more day and repeat the process before the first ride; I want the first ride to be very quiet and uneventful.
I have hold of Ruby's head and my foot is in the stirrup. I take a couple of hops so she feels movement and I don't take her by surprise. When I mount completely on a green horse I move quickly but softly and get my seat. I'll pet her and try to relax; for a second Then I want to get her moving as soon as possible to relax; and soften her. The first few steps can sometimes be the toughest for the horse and rider because both don't know what to expect. At this point, {still have a rope halter on her or a side pull on her head. I gently start pulling her head around. encouraging her to take a step. {will cluck and softly move my legs to get her started moving. (picture #14) When she starts to move, I just want

to sit still and leave her alone. I want to make this real simple for her. All

nothing more. I don't try to guide her or anything else on the first ride. I just want her to accept me on her back. (picture #15) Remember to sit right in the middle and hold on to the saddle horn if needed. Nothing scares a colt more than when you get off balance and pull them off balance.
Peel your colt out, you have to decide what he is ready for. I like to get my colts into a trot that -first ride, if I can, but I never ask for a lope in the first couple of rides. That will come in time.
This should be day 3 or 5 working with our green horse, and if we did our groundwork, hopefully this was a quiet, uneventful ride that we can build on. If you have a friend to help, work together to saddle and ride the first time. It can help keep the colt under control to have someone hold onto the line while you saddle and ride.
Remember, if you are very unsure or nervous, the horse can sense this and you may want to get help from a professional to get started. Starting your own colt can be very fun and rewarding if you have a well tempered horse. Your safety and your horse's safety is the most important thing. Also, a positive first ride for the colt is important. In the next issue we will continue the progress of training our green horse.
The only magic formula for training I can give you is T-I-M-E, along with patience, consistency, repetition and good solid training principles. I believe it is more how we approach our horses and how we apply the training information and methods that determine whether it is resistance free training or not.
Until next time, Good Luck and God Bless.

Back