05/15/2025
Why should you invest in your horse's foundation?
I have the privilege of traveling around New England, helping various barns with their horse-related challenges. These issues range from bucking and bolting to horses refusing to stand for the farrier—you name it. Many of these behaviors aren’t just inconvenient; they make handling horses downright unpleasant or even dangerous.
What strikes me most is that some of these horses are high-level athletes. They perform incredibly complex maneuvers in the arena, yet struggle with basic things, like being led to the pasture without dragging their owners, or standing quietly for the farrier without needing sedation.
This gets me thinking about how crucial it is not to overlook the foundational stages of a horse’s development. When I think about a foundation, I’m not just talking about the first few rides. I’m talking about the ability to handle their feet, adjust to new environments without melting down, and lead calmly and respectfully—anywhere, anytime.
In my opinion, the beginning of a horse’s training is the most important part of their entire career. Without a solid start, they never reach their full potential, no matter how talented they are. Yet so many of us get caught up in the excitement of jumping big courses or stepping into the dressage arena. And I get it—that’s the fun part!
But skipping ahead without building the groundwork for mental, emotional, and physical maturity sets us up for struggles down the road. The holes we leave in the beginning don’t disappear—they show up when the pressure is on.
This is why I love laying a solid foundation for these horses. It sets them up for success throughout the rest of their careers. Whether they’re destined to be trail horses or high-level performance horses, their start is absolutely crucial to their future.
I’ll end with something my mentor Richard Winters always says:
“Take the time it takes, and it takes less time.”
Wise words that prove true time and time again.
**tstarting
