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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
  
| I'm sixteen and have been riding my whole life. I know how to do groundwork, desensitizing, and have done tons of stuff with horses. I've worked with naughty project horses, and finished a couple "rough broke" horses, patterned my own barrel horses, and I ride daily. I've wanted to get a barrel prospect for a long time. Is it better to "learn with eachother", and figure eachother out, or do you think I should find somewhere I could work this summer to work with colts, and learn everything there is to know from someone. My bestfriend has broke 5 colts 100% on her own and they're amazing, she would oversee the whole process and help me. Am I ready? Or do I need to get more experience first? I may have found "the one" I just want to make sure I am ready for him. What would yo do? TIA |
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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| Everyone has to start somewere. I started my own colts when I was 12 and I have never owned a horse I didn't start. I'm inching up on 30 and I'm starting to get really good at it to the point some pretty influential people are asking me to start there colts. ( i won't do it though because the thought of being responsible for someone elses babies gives me the goose pimples). There is never EVER any one on the face of the planet that knows everything there is to know about starting colts.Colts are all different and there is 1,000 ways to skin a cat. The moment you think you know it all you will have one teach you a big lesson in humility. With the first couple colts you start there WILL be holes and you WILL make mistakes and you have to be ready to take responsibility for that. It sounds like you have a good support system and that will help. I say go for it because you have to start somewere. Find a good foundation trainer/working cowhorse trainer that is willing to answer questions when you get hung up. Good luck it's very rewarding! |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I hope you have a willing horse on your hands and one that will allow you to make a few mistakes as we all make a mistake in the starting process. Sounds like your ready to me. I was influenced by some of the greats in the industry I hope that you can ride with a positve horseman/women and make great strides in your knowledge.
I had to ride several cutting and working cowhorses and show many for an unequal trade in time for coaching by men that won such awards as AQHA Superhorse. The trade was well worth it. I, to this day still enjoy starting horses and hope to get to do the same in my next decade.
As long as your riding be open to learning. Many different tools belong in a tool box for a reason. Become the iron that sharpens iron. OPEN your mind to all. |
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 How freakish is that?
Posts: 3927
Location: Oregon | If you have a chance to work for someone that knows what they are doing go for it. Much better to learn from an experienced good trainer than learn it yourself. Even if you are just saddling/unsaddling and bringing horses out and putting them up if you can observe and ask questions and have someone show you what they are doing you will learn more than you can ever imagine.
Edited by crapshooter 2016-02-20 6:20 PM
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | crapshooter - 2016-02-20 6:18 PM If you have a chance to work for someone that knows what they are doing go for it. Much better to learn from an experienced good trainer than learn it yourself. Even if you are just saddling/unsaddling and bringing horses out and putting them up if you can observe and ask questions and have someone show you what they are doing you will learn more than you can ever imagine.
I agree. Here's the thing, what you put in those first rides goes with that horse the rest of their life & ultimately it means their life or death. You only get one chance to do it right. Starting colts is a huge responsibility.
Breaking colts is a lot different than even working problem horses because you're starting with a clean slate & there's so much they must don't know, and a lot they may be afraid of that you may not even realize until you accidentally push that button. You've got to be able to observe, and plan it out. A good horsemanship/ ranch/colt breaking clinic can teach a lot too. |
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| IMO, thistle2011's answer was as excellent of advice as you will get. Don't reinvent the wheel, use clinics and videos, but unless you START there will always be an excuse. Lack of knowledge and experience will always be lerking in the back of your mind to prevent the START.
Do you know how great horsemen got to be great? They first learned how to correct their own mistakes.
Remember, even Clinton Anderson and Pat Perelli have critics. Jesus Christ wasn't even accepted in his home town.
This subject is so near and dear to my heart. I have always wanted to own my own business, but used lack of knowledge as an excuse so I got a master's in business and accounting (graduated with honors). I learned that it still didn't make stepping out there any easier. Finally, I stepped out and it feels great! Have I made mistakes, YES, but they aren't things I can learn from a text book. I wish I would have used the money on my degrees as startup capital.
START!
Edited by NFM 2016-02-21 9:27 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | Wow! A lot of good information!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| skye - 2016-02-21 10:22 AM
Wow! A lot of good information!
I agree! Thank you all! |
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How freakish is that?
Posts: 3927
Location: Oregon | NFM - 2016-02-21 7:14 AM IMO, thistle2011's answer was as excellent of advice as you will get. Don't reinvent the wheel, use clinics and videos, but unless you START there will always be an excuse. Lack of knowledge and experience will always be lerking in the back of your mind to prevent the START. Do you know how great horsemen got to be great? They first learned how to correct their own mistakes. Remember, even Clinton Anderson and Pat Perelli have critics. Jesus Christ wasn't even accepted in his home town. This subject is so near and dear to my heart. I have always wanted to own my own business, but used lack of knowledge as an excuse so I got a master's in business and accounting (graduated with honors). I learned that it still didn't make stepping out there any easier. Finally, I stepped out and it feels great! Have I made mistakes, YES, but they aren't things I can learn from a text book. I wish I would have used the money on my degrees as startup capital. START!
Horses that are started wrong are at a disadvantage their entire life, can be dangerous or at the very least it can mean a bad life or even a trip to Mexico for a horse. Much better to learn what you are doing before you practice on a live animal. It's not like screwing up someones tax return. |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| crapshooter - 2016-02-21 6:25 PM
NFM - 2016-02-21 7:14 AM IMO, thistle2011's answer was as excellent of advice as you will get. Don't reinvent the wheel, use clinics and videos, but unless you START there will always be an excuse. Lack of knowledge and experience will always be lerking in the back of your mind to prevent the START. Do you know how great horsemen got to be great? They first learned how to correct their own mistakes. Remember, even Clinton Anderson and Pat Perelli have critics. Jesus Christ wasn't even accepted in his home town. This subject is so near and dear to my heart. I have always wanted to own my own business, but used lack of knowledge as an excuse so I got a master's in business and accounting (graduated with honors). I learned that it still didn't make stepping out there any easier. Finally, I stepped out and it feels great! Have I made mistakes, YES, but they aren't things I can learn from a text book. I wish I would have used the money on my degrees as startup capital. START!
Horses that are started wrong are at a disadvantage their entire life, can be dangerous or at the very least it can mean a bad life or even a trip to Mexico for a horse. Much better to learn what you are doing before you practice on a live animal. It's not like screwing up someones tax return.
Just being honnerybut if you screw up the wrong tax return you can screw up someone's life. Paha.....maybe like mixing up cyan pepper for cinnamon would be a better analogy
Edited by Thistle2011 2016-02-21 6:39 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Thistle2011 - 2016-02-20 6:09 AM
Everyone has to start somewere. I started my own colts when I was 12 and I have never owned a horse I didn't start. I'm inching up on 30 and I'm starting to get really good at it to the point some pretty influential people are asking me to start there colts. ( i won't do it though because the thought of being responsible for someone elses babies gives me the goose pimples). There is never EVER any one on the face of the planet that knows everything there is to know about starting colts.Colts are all different and there is 1,000 ways to skin a cat. The moment you think you know it all you will have one teach you a big lesson in humility. With the first couple colts you start there WILL be holes and you WILL make mistakes and you have to be ready to take responsibility for that. It sounds like you have a good support system and that will help. I say go for it because you have to start somewere. Find a good foundation trainer/working cowhorse trainer that is willing to answer questions when you get hung up. Good luck it's very rewarding!
THIS ^^
You don't know what you are capable of until you try.
Find a good and willing mentor - find a willing horse partner and go to it! You will make mistakes, forgive yourself and learn from your mentor how to correct them. Positivity and try go a long way. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I'd say go for it. Sometimes it's just time to dive in and get your feet wet.
And I agree, have a "trainer on call" that you can go to when you have any hiccups or questions.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I know that *I* would love to have guidance if the opportunity were presented to me. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | Thistle2011 - 2016-02-21 4:36 PM crapshooter - 2016-02-21 6:25 PM NFM - 2016-02-21 7:14 AM IMO, thistle2011's answer was as excellent of advice as you will get. Don't reinvent the wheel, use clinics and videos, but unless you START there will always be an excuse. Lack of knowledge and experience will always be lerking in the back of your mind to prevent the START. Do you know how great horsemen got to be great? They first learned how to correct their own mistakes. Remember, even Clinton Anderson and Pat Perelli have critics. Jesus Christ wasn't even accepted in his home town. This subject is so near and dear to my heart. I have always wanted to own my own business, but used lack of knowledge as an excuse so I got a master's in business and accounting (graduated with honors). I learned that it still didn't make stepping out there any easier. Finally, I stepped out and it feels great! Have I made mistakes, YES, but they aren't things I can learn from a text book. I wish I would have used the money on my degrees as startup capital. START! Horses that are started wrong are at a disadvantage their entire life, can be dangerous or at the very least it can mean a bad life or even a trip to Mexico for a horse. Much better to learn what you are doing before you practice on a live animal. It's not like screwing up someones tax return. Just being honnerybut if you screw up the wrong tax return you can screw up someone's life. Paha.....maybe like mixing up cyan pepper for cinnamon would be a better analogy
not if they are allergic |
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The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| kwanatha - 2016-02-23 6:32 PM
Thistle2011 - 2016-02-21 4:36 PM crapshooter - 2016-02-21 6:25 PM NFM - 2016-02-21 7:14 AM IMO, thistle2011's answer was as excellent of advice as you will get. Don't reinvent the wheel, use clinics and videos, but unless you START there will always be an excuse. Lack of knowledge and experience will always be lerking in the back of your mind to prevent the START. Do you know how great horsemen got to be great? They first learned how to correct their own mistakes. Remember, even Clinton Anderson and Pat Perelli have critics. Jesus Christ wasn't even accepted in his home town. This subject is so near and dear to my heart. I have always wanted to own my own business, but used lack of knowledge as an excuse so I got a master's in business and accounting (graduated with honors). I learned that it still didn't make stepping out there any easier. Finally, I stepped out and it feels great! Have I made mistakes, YES, but they aren't things I can learn from a text book. I wish I would have used the money on my degrees as startup capital. START! Horses that are started wrong are at a disadvantage their entire life, can be dangerous or at the very least it can mean a bad life or even a trip to Mexico for a horse. Much better to learn what you are doing before you practice on a live animal. It's not like screwing up someones tax return. Just being honnerybut if you screw up the wrong tax return you can screw up someone's life. Paha.....maybe like mixing up cyan pepper for cinnamon would be a better analogy
Haha touche |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | I believe the most important ride of any horse's life is their first. I would strongly urge you to do the two person first couple of rides similar to what Clinton Anderson teaches. It is by far the best way to go. I would get Clintons dvd series on colt starting. Everything in it is not gospel, but the basic foundation of the approach is very useful and safe. That basic approach is what my wife uses. Only major thing to point out about it is that ground driving is very useful and Clinton doesn't do that or show that. The other thing is the cruising exercises, we don't believe in. |
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