Training Services
Colt Starting
"Colt starting" doesn't necessarily mean you're working with a young horse, even though that's usually what it is. Colt starting is getting a horse good on the ground and ready for transitioning to the saddle and the rider. Some horses will come along quicker than others. They're all different. But, typically, I can get a green horse going within a month. I will often check the horse out with my flag, my lariat, and maybe a tarp as well. I get them ready to go home and help the owner to feel confident with their horse. I don't believe that every horse owner should have a colt necessarily. Every horse owner needs a horse that suits them well. This helps prevent accidents and can save people a lot of grief. Starting colts is my favorite thing to do. I have started around one hundred colts in my lifetime. I've worked with all different breeds. It is not uncommon for me to have a horse going within the first couple of weeks. However, one month of training is always good for solidifying the horse with what he knows and making him more and more confident in different scenarios.
Problem Horses
Consultations
When people say 'I've got a problem horse,' this typically means that their horse is having trouble with people. This could be brought on by different things. Oftentimes the horse is just spoiled and hasn't been taught good structure from the human. He's used to running the show and the human is fearful of his animal. Other times, the human just doesn't know how to work with their horse. Maybe they've never had someone who could show them a better way. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Finding help from an honest and experienced horse person can make a night-and-day difference for your journey with your horse. I've worked with tons of "problem horses" and gotten them going just fine. I let the horse work through things and find what I'm looking for. I set boundaries in my relationship with the horse and have a respond-and-respect approach. If I can help the human help the horse, both of them win. I will note that some horses may require more than just one month of training, especially if the horse has a troubled past.
A consultation is checking out a horse to see where he's at. This may take a whole morning or afternoon or evening, depending on how things go. The horse might need to be started, re-started, or he might be a 'problem horse.' I never know until I start working with them. It doesn't usually take very long to find if there are any issues to work through. The horse is a very honest creature. Consultations typically lead to a horse owner sending their horse to me for a month of training (or more). It just depends on how things go and how committed the horse owner is to their journey with their horse. If I ever do consultations with clients, I require (as always) space enough to work with their horse.