What Horse Trainers Wish You Knew 

I started my horse at five because that’s how old he was when I got him, ranch work is really what turned him into a decent horse. Mileage is king. I didn’t have money to spend on a trainer at the time. I have no illusions about him ever becoming a finished bridle horse or even close, but he’s already a reliable ranch, trail, using horse which is all I need right now. My next horse in ten years I will have professionally started and hopefully by then I will know enough to not waste the training.

As a horse trainer I agree with everything you said. One thing I started to require years ago out of clients is that they are there at least 2 days a week during their horses lesson. I encourage them to be there every time. People simply don't know how to communicate with horses very well. So I'm being patient, being gentle as possible and firm as necessary, not pushing them too hard, not asking them to do something they are not ready for, helping them discover the answers to the puzzles and therefore their mental and emotional fitness. I create a relationship based on TRUST and RESPECT and for whatever reason people get on and act like they're riding a motorcycle or robot. They are too fast and hard with their aids. They do not release in an appropriate or timely manner. They get aggressive when they get frustrated. By spending time watching me they slow down and think. They try to do things the way that I do them. Their expectations are managed and I have way fewer complaints and badmouthing ,and way more recommendations.

In my area everyone wants it done cheap. My philosophy on this is If your horse isn't worth my price , spend the money on a better one

love your videos. I love learning the different way of starting young ones. I am from Germany and we do a very different approach. I have lived in the States for 10 years and trying to learn different ways... this year I started a mare very differently from what I am used to. She is a 6 year old mare that was sold as a 3 year old, sent to a trainer for 90 days but was returned unstarted and shaking like a leaf after 60 days. they kept her for the entire year ( the owners) and then returned the mare to the breeder as untrainable. The breeder said she was untouchable for a long time. She bred her as a 5 year old and turned her out. I bought her when she was about 5 months along. I started her with the breeders help in Jan/ Feb, and put as many rides as I could on her but probably less than 45 before she had her foal. I got thrown twice during that time. Then she stood at the breeder's with her foal until weaning time. I stupidly thought I could just hop on and ride her after she had her foal and got tossed pretty bad then. I picked her back up in October and been riding her as much as I could and she since has thrown my trainer, who was riding her for me while I was gone over thanksgiving. I can totally relate to the whole people messing up a horse and causing so much more work for you. I am still trying to figure this mare out as she seems to forget her rider when she gets worked up and then spooks herself when she remembers you up there. this does not happen often and I think I have been able to keep her below her threshold and toeing it, but the trainer hadn't really understood what her deal was so far. I think, when they are older, stronger and more balanced, they feel more advanced, but their brains are very much still untrained, so we tend to ask more of them sooner and overwhelm them quicker. I don't want to give up on my mare as I know she is special (also in the window licking way at times). any advice on how to work on her confidence and also convincing her that this is her job now, even though she spent more time not being ridden than having been ridden?

You’re right about everything it’s great to hear a person that knows what they’re talking about I use to do that a good 30 plus years ago don’t do it anymore thanks for the videos

Amen to not taking older horses! I have finally said I won't take anything over 2 that hasn't had, at least, some handling. My life is worth more than that!

Dwayne Johnson from Dry Creek Wrangler School sent me.

Excellent. As nice a job of spelling the biz out as I've ever heard. Thank you sir, sending it to a couple friends.

It's been fun getting to know you through your videos. This particular video has valuable beyond most may appreciate. I've spent less than two years trying to make a living working with horses in the past and learned real quick two things 1st I never want to eat rice and beans again 2nd just because I can can get a horse to do something doesn't mean the person who paid me can. Short cuts were invented by the Contractor that agreed to deliver a product for a fixed price. 30 years ago I recognized Horse Training should be paid by the hour.

I’m a general contractor, just me working. It’s all similar. I have kids and family and animals that can all screw up my schedule, I always appreciate customers who are considerate of my life and I try to work with theirs.

Impressive how you are riding them within 4 to 5 days of ground work. I take about 3 weeks of ground work before hand and that's if no one has messed them up before me and they have a good mind. I'm a part timer though. I have to go to work the next day. Great info. appreciate your willingness to tell it how it really is. Thank you!

Thanks for the insight, Bret.

Thank you. Really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the subject. Have a great day out there

Well said!! These self started colts (owner started) are nine times out of ten the worst to shoe. They usually have no boundaries or respect. Thank you for this video! Hoping the average horse owner takes it to heart..

I can't go along with the notion that it's "selfish" for anyone below the professional level to start and move a colt forward. As long as they are genuinely committed to the process, realistic in their preparation and expectations, then willing to seek assistance along the way, how are they being selfish? I agree with these thoughts as generalizations about the public who expect the process to be all chocolate and roses after attending several clinics, but you can't dismiss the success of scores of very young folks who've taken mustangs to competition with only a modicum of prior experience. I'd completely understand if such examples were dismissed as anecdotal exceptions, but their success as dedicated amateur trainers is undeniable. What I find most troubling about the horse world is the number of people holding themselves out as professional trainers who will hand back half a wreck and pile up excuses while waiting for the check to be signed. The fix for that in my case was to hand my filly over to a 15 year old Mennonite neighbor who's never heard of any of our famous clinicians.

Your thoughts on this. I have never heard a pro trainer say anything about this. I had a full time job and rode horses for people. Time was limited , so on the weekends, I would ride a horse a little that morning, a little afternoon and a little that evening. Some owners would count that as one day. I counted that as three rides. I figured a horse doesn"t know what a day is.

That was a great explanation I think many don't understand what it takes to do the work with horses! Weather your starting babies or working on your own! I think you did a fabulous job explaining the process, certainly brings a lot of clarity to the picture! Again really enjoying your videos, such excellent content. I'm extremely thankful to Pat for recommending your book as that is how I found out more about your work!! Super job and thank you for taking time to make these for us! I plan on diving into the more I depth content in your patron page.

Spot on. Excellent. I should attach this to our contract

Knowledge comes from experience resulting in Wisdom

Good evening When I was younger and running cowcamps, I started and rode all my horses. I am not doing that anymore. The reason I send a colt to a trainer is they can put a whole lot of miles on them that I can not. (Rides) and reputation is what horses need to learn. Exspesally young ones.

When you get your Colts home don’t spell them and cry when you get bucked off.

To add to what your saying I had help from someone like yourself with my first horse he told me this isn't where or how you want to start riding and training at the same time I had a lot fun and got some experience but was wright it could make you not even want to ride from fear if you do it alone for sure glad I had the help now I get well started ones lol

I am a crazy old woman and I started colts many years ago….. I had to get a job that I could afford to pay for my animals….I loved peddling the mail …. I can’t say I’ve ever been able to afford to pay a trainer….many years ago I sent my old friend/horse to ride the rough off f😊

Thank you 🙏🏼 this is well stated. I find the comment about starting 2 year old typical for the quarter horse breed. We know that a horses back is not mature until later. Im guessing what your meaning ? Is at 2 years old the basic start needs to happen. Then you could allow them to mature. Progress the young horse with care. I realize ranch and quarter horses demand more at a young age. To say I will not take a 4 year old hmmmm. All horses must be started at 2. ………….. Does not take into consideration the breed nor the maturity of the mind of the horse. If the mind is not ready. That’s dangerous. We see allot of ruined horses by the age of 6. Pushing to young. To fast. Some horses can handle it. Some cannot. Hmm. Love 💗 your channel. Horse owners do not understand the financial commitment nor the time commitment it takes to bring along a quality youngster. . I would love a video from you on this. You make things look super easy. I do not think horse owners realize that. It looks easy for an Olympic ice skater to skate technical pattern. It is easy lol. Noooo. Thank you !

Work is Work

Good words sir

Dry Creek Wrangler mentioned you 👏🏻

love your videos this one you are exactly spot on I started colts for folks for 20 years and it is just what you are talking about with the days and the rides The olny thing I would say to people for sure is that in 1month I would have put 40 hrs on the horse combination of ground work and riding, A lot of people wanted to know if they could walk trot and lope their horse after 1 month and all I would tell them is that I would be able to but it depended on what kind of rider they were

Awesome video! Question for the first ride in 5 days… are you bitting them up before that and riding them in a snaffle or are you riding them in a halter at this time? Appreciate your videos and read your book loved it!

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I have a 4 year old mustang. I knew that he would need AT LEAST 90 days. 120 days later he was only saddled and line driven. No rides, no weight. My husband has had enough so I’m going to pick up the horse today and find another trainer to start him once I recover financially. Any advice to what I should do in the mean time with him?

How many days/rides are you going to have on a colt before you have the owner get on them?

How do I find a good trainer

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Seein' as you've introduced us to Cody, Justin, Dustin and Jax, any chance of a Cameo appearance from your camera operator? Really enjoy your stuff. And the dogs said to say hi.