10/20/2025
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ โ ๐๐๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ
Itโs no secret the equine industry is booming. Between the explosion of incentive programs and more major horse shows than ever before, the demand for well-started, confident young horses has skyrocketed. Leading riders are traveling now more than ever - escalating the value exponentially solid colt starting programs.
Yet, thereโs one part of the equation that seems to be in short supply โ experienced colt starters.
If youโre new to the business or simply preparing to show one youโve raised for the first time, our advice is twofold:
Feed them well.
Find a horse trainer you trust and want to invest in.
But hereโs the vital piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: the colt starting.
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ๐งโ๐ญ ๐ ๐๐-๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐
This isnโt a quick-fix job, no matter how much we wish it could be. Every colt is an individual. What one horse may figure out in a day might take another 30 days to understand โ and thatโs not a reflection of the trainer or the horse. A true horseman knows the difference and adjusts accordingly.
Too many people still throw around the phrase โjust startingโ like itโs no big deal. Truth is, that mindset can make or break a young prospect. The foundation built (or not built) in those first 30 days will follow that horse for the rest of its life.
So hereโs our first piece of advice: Donโt discount this step.
The professionals who dedicate their lives to starting performance prospects are worth every single dollar they charge โ and then some.
๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐
๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ, ๐๐จ๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐
Itโs a good problem to have when the trainer you want to use is booked solid. But instead of settling for โwhoeverโs available,โ ask that trainer who they recommend. Many top horsemen have other professionals they trust to start horses for their own programs. That insight is gold โ take it.
And once your colt is with the colt starter and then the trainer, remember to communicate. Listen to their evaluation. This is your first โprogress reportโ of the year. Pay attention to what they say, don't be offended or defensive โ listen to where your horse excels, where it struggles, and how it learns. That feedback helps you make better decisions moving forward in their careers.
๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ง
Weโll say it again: this isnโt a 30-day miracle job. If you want your horse to be confident, consistent, and set up for a lifetime of success, plan to leave them for at least 90 to 120 days.
With so many leading trainers constantly traveling for major events, your young horse will benefit from being with someone whoโs consistent, patient, and hands-on when it counts the most.
๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ โ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ข๐ญ
Hereโs the elephant in the room: When should you start your colt?
Most professional colt starters will tell you โ the sooner, the better. Young horses, much like teenagers, go through what we call a โsponge stage.โ They crave stimulation and learning. Not because they want to get into trouble, but because their minds are searching for something to do.
For some colts, that phase comes around 18 months. For others, closer to 24. The best approach? Let your horse, veterinarian, and trainer guide the timing together.
And remember โ in a professional colt starting program with horseman, these horses arenโt being worked hard or long. Sessions are short and intentional โ 10 to 20 minutes focused on confidence, clarity, and communication. The goal is to set them up for a lifetime of success, right at the moment when theyโre most open to learning.
๐
๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ
The truth is simple: The industry needs more skilled colt starters โ and more owners who understand their value. If youโre investing the time, money, and heart into breeding or buying a performance horse, donโt cut corners at the very start of their journey.
For the love of all things holy... Pay them. Pay them well. In the long run it will be the best money you have spent. Ever. Guaranteed. You will lose less time. They won't go 10 step forward to go 20 steps back.
Feed them right.
Trust the process.
Find a horseman who believes in setting a foundation, not rushing a result.
Because those first rides donโt just make a horse โ they make a future.
Pictured: Our Colt Starting Magician - David Neason of A Texas Cowboy & The Everyday Horseman Community
