Ironically, my last post on here was when I was shopping for a colt, and now here I am sharing how I did in fact find a colt, but then I didn't do him justice. 

In December of 2016, I finally found a colt that met my desired breeding (REALLY wanted a grandson of HBC) and X rayed clean, and he came home to me right before Christmas. He was a 2 year old son of Stylin Cat, dam’s sire is Little Peppy’s Ultimo—I’ve always really loved cutters, so yes, I know he’s far from race blood. I grew up working with a lot of young horses for other people, often trade outs for board or lessons, and I was so excited to pick out a colt of my own to bring along. 

My then husband and I had just gotten a farm, put in a new arena but didn’t have a round pen, and I was hauling a lot to work with a young one. However, life quickly spiraled downward, and I found myself in the midst of an unpleasant divorce. In the year this drug on, my horses rarely got worked, and I moved out to my own much smaller property with barn and pastures but without an arena at the end of 2017. In full disclosure this colt probably got worked on average about once a month for over a year.

This horse being an incredibly intelligent pseudo-saint has saved me from too many consequences from my actions. In what feels like very few rides in my mind for a horse of his age and experience, he has gone from a little bit flighty, slightly broncy with sticky feet, to very responsive given the little consistency he’s seen. I hauled him about 5 times to a wonderful reining trainer who always seemed pleased with his monthly progress, but truth be told, I never rode him between lessons as I should have—he just always remembers everything he is exposed to. I knew the lessons would force me to ride, but while I was working multiple jobs to get back on my feet, he just didn’t get the attention he needed until very recently.

Life happens to everyone, I know, but here I am coming up on his fifth birthday next month, and I'm a bit depressed over where he is knowing how I haven't utilized his full potential. He still takes quite a lunge session in a new place when we unload before he goes back to responsive and stops staring at every moving object, but once you’re on, he’s honestly not far from being ready to see the pattern. The only thing I can give this credit to is his sponge for a brain and unbelievable demeanor and patience.

I guess knowing how little I have done with him, where he is compared to other 5 year olds, and the tremendous guilt I have, I debate selling him due to feeling a bit like I don’t deserve him.

Does anyone have success stories of horses that started a bit late in the game?

I think in the long run your going to have a lot nicer horse!! He is older, more mature, more trainable, etc. Looks like you got a good one and probably did some good to take it a bit slower. Onward and upward I say! Not everyone needs to futurity etc. You don't see very many futurity horses going on to have longer open / rodeo careers. There is a reason for that. 

I think you need to read this weeks Barrel Racing Report about Lisa Lockhart 

http://www.barrelracingreport.com/issues/3_26_19_BarrelRacingReport_HighRes.pdf

Think this will cheer you up some. Also, some of the best barrel horses were started late. Just keep moving in the right direction. Atleast his joints got to mature without all the pounding. 

You know why he's behind- its not his fault, so I wouldn't worry about it or sell him. I would continue on and put the time into him now that you have the ability to.  It doesnt make him less of a prospect or less of an athlete. It means his missed the chance to futurity.. that's it. 

Some of my favorites have been the late starters! They usually have the mental maturity to catch up real quick! No worries for you!!!

My older horse was started late. He was 5 or 6 before he was started (and according to the trainer he bucked the entire first day and trainer about gave up. Gave him another chance next day and he was fine). Hell be 23 this year and is still running barrels strong and looks great.

Sometimes life gets in way, but one step at a time

I have a 5 year old that I got the summer of her 3 year old year and she had 60 days on her. Those 60 days were not consistent & at some point they had determined she wasn't going to make it to the futurities and sold her. Honestly from that summer up until the start of this year I probably only put 30 days on her. I'd ride her every 3-4 weeks once and be done. I kept my focus on the ones running & she needed to mature a little bit mentally so I let her sit. I've ridden her more this year than I have the previous 1.5 years of owning her all combined. And she's doing fine and just started on the pattern. If she's not finished out until she's 6-7 I don't care. At 5 years old they still have their whole lives ahead of them. I personally don't like to have one running until they're at least 5 anyway. I don't futurity, I have no need to push one. With mine I want something thats going to be able to run for me for 10-15 more years.

The gelding I run now wasn't even broke out until I bought him as a 7 year old. He didn't start exhibitioning and entering until he was 10 and he's 20 now. He's won me a lot of money for a 3/4D horse and a couple saddles, I in no way hold his late start against him nor think it's affected his career at all. I went from 1/2D horses to a 3/4D horse because I love his personailty and demeanor more than I love that faster .5 second. So I say if you really like your colt, and it sounds like he's pretty much your dream colt, don't let a slower start guilt you into letting him go. Life happens to all of us and you don't have to follow anyone else's timeline but your own. 

Agree! and I usually don't do anything with mine till they are 5 anyway.. roll on sister!