Building a solid foundation for a successful future — no shortcuts. 

 

I believe in starting colts with a proper foundation to set them up for success in the future, no matter what discipline they may pursue. My approach emphasizes confidence, trust and clairty.

 

Because of my natural feel and approach, I've been fortunate enough to find success with horses that may come with some baggage — fixing problem horses, rehabbing those with a traumatic or unknown history, or simply those needing a restart. In addition, I competed in the Mustang Champions Mustang Challenge 2024 and have a soft spot for Mustangs and wild ones!

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With that being said I am not a magician who can wave my magic wand and fix a traumatized horse in 30 days, nor do I feel 30 days is a fair amount of time to give a brand new colt a solid, confident start under saddle. There are very FEW exceptions to this. Horses with any bucking, rearing, kicking, abuse, or past trauma will be required to be seen by a chiropractor or vet to rule out soundness issues. It also may be recommended to treat for ulcers prior to training. 9 times out of 10 between some training and finding the root of the issue, there’s no need for cowboying, BUT if all that has been ruled out, I do understand that some horses just need to be ridden out and I will do that, if and only if, we rule out pain or holes in their original training first.

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Owner Involvement and Communication.

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Owner involvement is a key part of long-term success. I strongly recommend owners come out at least once per month while their horse is in training. Your presence helps create a smooth transition when your horse graduates from the program.

 

However, it’s important to respect the training process. In the beginning stages, your horse is learning how to understand and trust me. They're learning new skills and building confidence. This is when they’re the most vulnerable, and consistency in how they’re handled and ridden is crucial. Too much variation in who’s handling or riding them early on can create confusion or slow progress.  For that reason, I may limit owner riding during the first few weeks, depending on the horse and their stage of training. This isn't to exclude you — it’s to give your horse the clearest path forward.

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As we near the end of the program, this mindset shifts.  I highly encourage owners to come out regularly in the last week or two to ride, take lessons, and get in sync with their horse. This is a great time to ask questions, practice what your horse has learned, and build confidence together before heading home.

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If you are looking for an honest, straight forward trainer who will start or fix your horse the right way, send me a message!