Colt Starting Series; Step 2

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Step two in my colt starting process always includes something with the tack. I like to set up my first saddling a couple of different ways depending on the colt and how he is handling himself. One is with a rope. If you have a colt that you think is going to take a little bit more effort to get used to the saddle, I like to take my rope and make a “cinch” with it. Looping it right around the horse where the cinch would be placed. This allows me to work the colt around myself (like in the previous post) while loosening and tightening the rope to allow the horse to get used to the sensation and without putting your saddle at risk. 

Another method I like to use is a cinch attached to a piece of leather (or a girth). This will allow you to secure the cinch itself around the colt with constant pressure. I always like to do this in a round pen as well, that way if the colt starts bucking or becomes uncontrollable, I can safely remove myself and the colt won’t get away. This is also great preparation for the weight and pressure the saddle will put on the colt in the next step.

Now if I have a colt that I feel is either A. ready for it or B. very gentle and easy going, I will start the saddling process. I do this by making sure my colt is very soft and responsive on the end of my lead line and halter. I take my lead rope and loop it through the crook of my elbow, just so I can grab it if I need it (but not around my elbow so if the colt takes off I won’t get dragged) and keep the colt’s nose pointed in towards me and his hind end working away from me. I also try to stay at the colt’s shoulders in case the colt was to try and cowkick me. From here I do a lot of flopping the saddle blanket all over the colt and I move from the left side to the right side, repeating the same exercise. I want the colt to feel as comfortable with the saddle blanket as possible, even going as far as making the blanket touch his legs and hind end.

Once I feel like he is desensitized to the blanket, I like to throw the pad on the colt’s back and work a few circles back and forth carrying the blanket. I don’t get too technical with this part, sometimes the blanket falls and I let it bounce around, keeping everything calm and easy going, creating a sense of confidence for the colt. Young horses will feed off your energy, therefore I try and stay as low energy and confident as possible, I have seen most colts will mimic this as well. 

Once I see the colt relax, I will move on to the saddle. I like to make sure my cinch is tied up to create the least amount of movement when the saddle is first placed on the colt’s back. Starting with simply putting the saddle on, I like to take it off and on, repeating this a few times on both sides of the horse. After this exercise, I let down the cinch and tighten it just enough that the saddle will not move, I do the same to the back cinch. From here, I do one of two things; I either let the colt walk a few circles around me and then tighten the cinch again or if the colt is really tight I will loop the lead rope through the saddle horn and allow him go a lap or two in the round pen without me interfering. This is the only time I let a colt buck without pulling them out of it or moving their feet around. After that, I will tighten the cinch again and return to the same exercises as before. Working on softness and the colt tracking up underneath himself, reminding him of what was taught in the previous sessions and building the colt’s confidence up.

This is usually where I like to end this session! 

Part three coming soon.

Posted in: Featured, Horse Training, Uncategorized


About Anna Foulger

Hey there! My name is Anna Foulger, I am a young mom of soon to be two; a toddler daughter and little boy on the way! Me and my husband ranch in Eastern Montana with his family and we love every minute! My background is in...

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