Taphyl Stewart Horsemanship

21/10/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 — 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫

It’s 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 c**t starting programs.

Yet, there’s one part of the equation that seems to be in short supply — experienced c**t starters.

If you’re new to the business or simply preparing to show one you’ve raised for the first time, our advice is twofold:

Feed them well.
Find a horse trainer you trust and want to invest in.

But here’s the vital piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: the c**t starting.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝟑𝟎-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

This isn’t a quick-fix job, no matter how much we wish it could be. Every c**t is an individual. What one horse may figure out in a day might take another 30 days to understand — and that’s 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 “just starting” like it’s 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 here’s our first piece of advice: Don’t discount this step.
The professionals who dedicate their lives to starting performance prospects are worth every single dollar they charge — and then some.

𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥, 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜

It’s a good problem to have when the trainer you want to use is booked solid. But instead of settling for “whoever’s available,” 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 — take it.

And once your c**t is with the c**t starter and then the trainer, remember to communicate. Listen to their evaluation. This is your first “progress report” of the year. Pay attention to what they say, don't be offended or defensive — 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.

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧

We’ll say it again: this isn’t 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 who’s consistent, patient, and hands-on when it counts the most.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭

Here’s the elephant in the room: When should you start your c**t?

Most professional c**t starters will tell you — the sooner, the better. Young horses, much like teenagers, go through what we call a “sponge stage.” 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 c**ts, 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 — in a professional c**t starting program with horseman, these horses aren’t being worked hard or long. Sessions are short and intentional — 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 they’re most open to learning.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

The truth is simple: The industry needs more skilled c**t starters — and more owners who understand their value. If you’re investing the time, money, and heart into breeding or buying a performance horse, don’t 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 don’t just make a horse — they make a future.

Pictured: Our C**t Starting Magician - David Neason of A Texas Cowboy & The Everyday Horseman Community

17/09/2025

30/07/2025

18/12/2024

The revelation for Ray, that things were changing, came at a time when he was close to giving up.
After close to seven years of trying to understand Tom Dorrance, Ray rose one morning and said to himself – “Aw, to heck with it. I’ll just ride my horse for today”.
“I never had a better day in my life!”, Ray says.
“I saddled my horse and started off. When I looked in a direction that’s where the horse went. If I looked back, that’s where he went.
I thought - ‘My God, Tom said to ‘fix it up and let him find it’ - but I was so busy 'DOING' that I was getting in the horse’s way.
That was so powerful to me; a person can sometimes work too hard at something.’”

From an article that appeared in the January 2005 edition of 'Western Horseman' titled 'Ray Hunt, Western Horseman of the Year'.
Image of Ray is by W.T. Bruce and is from the same article.

17/12/2024

Many years ago, in conversation with Ray, I asked him about how difficult it could be to get this way of working with horses across to people.
He told me one time he'd heard someone say: “There’s no use going to those Ray Hunt clinics, all he does is work with the mind.” Ray laughed and said “Well what the hell else is there? I like to think it’s 80% mind. You might have to do quite a bit physically, but once the mind is in tune, it takes almost nothing at all.”
I'm still working toward that principle.