Kendall’s Colt Starting & Equine Services

09/12/2024

This little lady found her home! ☀️ Polka joined my program as an 8 month old, we worked through some beginning foundational work, and has since been growing up with my small herd in Colorado. She now belongs to one of my amazing horse trainer friends from college Cerise Archuleta, and I can’t wait to see where their journey together goes!

08/31/2024

So important!

CONNECTION VERSUS PROXIMITY

Something I hear from people a lot when they are asking about their horses is "We have a good connection, he's kind of a pocket horse, he follows me everywhere, but..." and they then go on to describe a problem that usually is a result from a lack of connection.

Proximity is not connection.

Clinginess is not connection.

Try not to get connection and physical closeness confused.

Connection is rooted in attunement, which is (as Sarah Schlote of Equusoma: Horse-Human Trauma Recovery puts it) 'the sense of being seen, being heard, feeling felt and getting gotten". It's about them trusting you, trusting you have their best interest at heart, and the feeling of safety you give them when you have proven that you are as aware as the rest of their heard members.

Clinginess is a juvenile behaviour that the mother (and other herd members) allows up until the age of weaning, then they start to work on collision avoidance (a term I picked up reading the works of British ethologist Lucy Rees). Installing collision avoidance is what allows a herd of horses to move safely together at speed like a school of fish or a flock of birds. It's also part of the mental maturation process, and if that process doesn't happen horses tend to retain a that and a lot of other juvenile behaviours.

So beware of the trap of thinking that you have connection because you have constant proximity. It may just be a juvenile behaviour in disguise.

06/09/2024

HALTER BREAKING

It is widely accepted in the training industry that all horses will have a reactionary response, or brace, in them of some sort when a pressure is applied. A brace starts in the mind and is demonstrated by the body, as a result of a response to stimulus. The common horsemanship quest is the matter of how small we can get that reaction (brace) to become.

Given that horses are prey animals, they rely heavily on their fight or flight instincts for survival. Training philosophies are typically formed around these instincts using methods of pressure and release. IE in the case of halter breaking a young horse, a pressure is applied, a fight or flight reaction happens, and the pressure goes away when the reaction stops and the correct answer is “rewarded”. The common belief seems to be that all horses will react that way in some sort, that is how they are wired. And there will inevitably be a fight of some kind during the process.

But what if we looked at the whole situation differently? What if they are reacting in such a way because that’s the only viable option we are giving them? What if we changed the way we ask the questions?

When I observe horses interacting in a natural herd setting, their instinctual method of communication with each other is not pressure and release, or fight or flight reactions, but the language of intention. Survival skills and reactions start from a threat of safety, whereas communication of intentions start from a net of safety. They need the herd dynamic to survive, and without a communication tactic the herd would be useless.

So, when we approach our horses with a method that is going to create a survival reaction first, and a thought second, there is ALWAYS going to be an aversion to that, because it stems from a threat of safety. it’s just a matter of how small that aversion can become.

Or, we can teach them to understand our intentions first, and THEN react accordingly, like they do naturally in a herd. This allows them to actually engage in the process because it stems from their natural need of safety for survival, which is desirable. Not only does this teach them how to think first, and react second, but there is no aversion to our intentions, they get to be a part of the conversation.

Here are a few clips of the steps I took in halter breaking my foal, Beau. To quickly sum it up, I started by creating connection through a change in his focus. When he understands how aware I am of him, it’s easy to get his attention. Once I can draw his attention easily and keep it at pretty much at any moment in time, then I attach the lead rope. By this point, he pretty much knows how to lead, just without the rope. Whenever he feels the slack come out of that rope, I show him the answer with the flag, drawing his thoughts to the right spot. Basically, from the VERY beginning I start with being able to get their attention easily, and every training principle builds off of that. The lead rope is just the physical connection point between our thoughts.

04/04/2024

Meet Polka! This cute little filly has been growing up at the ranch, but is now officially on the market and looking for her people! She has been in The C**t Connection training program with me for the past few months, gaining connection and learning the important, foundational skills that she needs for a successful future.

If you’re looking for your next partner AND want to be invested in their training from the beginning, comment “Polka” below and I’ll send you more information!

04/02/2024

There has been silence on the social media front as I have been hard at work prioritizing new goals and developing a training program that better serves my clients and the equine industry as a whole.

Even though the name of my training business is “Kendall’s C**t Starting”, many of the horses who have gone through my program have been older horses with some sort of behavioral issue that needs fixing. While I do enjoy helping these horses and their owners, I have found a common theme that many of them come to me with- a story of the tears shed, or the bones broken, or the money thrown down the drain on issues that shouldn’t even be an issue to begin with.

Whether that’s more training to fix a behavior as a result of someone else’s ignorance in the starting process, or vet bills to correct a rather extreme issue that’s a result of human ignorance as far as general horse care goes (properly setting up the feet, meeting the horses physical and emotional needs, etc).

Through these experiences, I have realized that there are two major sides of the horse training coin, and both require resource expenditure of some capacity to obtain the goal.

~You can either expend your resources to fix a training problem, or you can expend resources to start one right in the first place

~You can either expend your resources fixing a health or soundness issue, or you can expend resources doing proper preventive care from the beginning

Both are hard, and both require some form of investment. But we get to choose our hard.

With that said, I am excited to announce the launch of The C**t Connection program. The main focus of this program is c**t starting and young horse development, with the goal of investing my resources and skills to create an environment that produces physically + mentally sound horses from the beginning, FOR the people in the equine industry that have the same desire!

I will still be taking horses that don’t necessarily fit the c**t starting description, on a case by case basis.

Send me a message if you’d like more information or want to learn more about what I do!

01/27/2024

Thankful to have a great farrier maintaining my small herd in Colorado!

01/04/2024

12/30/2023

I learned SO much from my time with the Schiller’s but this by far was one of the biggest things. C**t starting can be so much more simple AND equally if not more effective than most people make it out to be!

12/13/2023

How easily can you get your horse’s attention?

Creating connection and establishing a relationship built on trust and awareness of each other is a fundamental step in the training process.

Connection produces a mentally balanced horse, and is a tool that can be utilized the rest of their lives. That is why I focus so much on it in the beginning, because from that foundation will the rest of the training be built upon.

The video is the beginning of the starting process with Aero the 2 year old, looking forward to seeing where this little dude goes!

11/11/2023

Loud people make quiet horses?
Maybe.
I don’t know about you, but as a highly sensitive person, when I’m around loud, quick moving, erratic and insensitive people, I tend to withdraw. If I can’t get away from them for whatever reason, the only way for me to get through being around someone like that is to somewhat disassociate.

All horses are highly sensitive, until someone creates lack of sensitivity in the horse.
Why would I want a horse to do that around me?
I’m certainly not saying you should tip toe around your horse, and you should very certainly prepare them for life. But why would you ever want to teach the horse that our body, our energy, our feel and the world at large is meaningless stimulus to be shut out?

Quiet, soft and calm people produce quiet, soft and calm horses. Smooth people who move with awareness create confident horses.

People who have self awareness and sensitivity to a horse’s needs produce quiet horses.

People who can prepare a horse to experience all of life’s uncertainties without creating a freeze or withdrawal response create quiet horses.

Quiet people create quiet horses.

Every horse needs a different touch, and only a person willing to spend more time listening than making assumptions about a horse can create a truly soft, calm but responsive horse.

As my teacher says: leave the life in, take the fear out!

11/11/2023

Some exciting changes have been in the works! I have moved my training business to the Bar SZ Ranch in Paicines, CA. I am excited to be working alongside some pretty amazing people in the industry as we work together to further develop an all inclusive program that meets the needs of both you and your horse!

The ranch offers many training opportunities including but not limited to a creek that flows year round, trails, pasture, cows, and exposure to many other things that are beneficial to any horse, no matter what direction they’re heading. The facility itself offers a variety of boarding options, multiple arenas, and a covered roundpen. More information can be found on the Bar SZ website and social media pages.

The last group of horses in training arrived last week and have been adjusting well to the new environment. I’m looking forward to seeing their progress! Contact me today if you’d like your horse to be a part of this awesome program 🤠

10/13/2023

This is Bucky the yearling’s first time with a hose

Our horses can find their security with us when we are aware of them and what’s going on around us. By acknowledging their concern, appealing to their natural curiosity, and proceeding forward staying within the bounds of their fear threshold, we can practice exercising their nervous system correctly and create a horse who doesn’t just learn how to handle life, but thrives in it.

This is the training philosophy I’ve had the whole time working with Bucky, so the hose wasn’t a big deal to him, because the concept has been the same throughout all of his training

10/11/2023

The hard things can become the easy things when you build on a good foundation. This is “Bucky” the yearling’s first time trailer loading!

10/05/2023

This! So many “training” problems are not actually training problems, but a behavioral problem resulting from a lack of natural mental and emotional stability

Turn out a new horse and it throws the whole place into a tailspin.

A twenty-five-year-old high-mileage gelding turns into the wild stallion of the Cimarron, gathering his harem and threatening to kill all who trespass. Mares slam dunk into season. Ponies gentle enough for children, act like they’ve never known the human hand.

Yes, we could keep them separated—and we do, for the first few days—but why, thereafter? We’ve nothing so precious that we can’t afford to let it live like a horse. Until the group works out the social order, ideally in a roomy pasture, our horses and ponies will never be wholly at ease. Nor will they be safe to haul together in the stock trailer, or ride out and put in a day’s work.

So, we stay safe, taking care and having plenty of patience, whenever we introduce a new personality.

We have a lot of room, so both mares and geldings are kept together. They eventually sort everything out. If one horse is getting picked on to the point of injury, we will remove the offender, rather than the submissive horse. The thug can stand, alone, in the corrals and repent!

Whether newly purchased or one of our old standbys, we can never tell how a horse will fit in, or how long it will take for the old guard to accept him. We can’t know whether a usually-quiet horse or pony will turn hot, or hurried, or domineering, or spooky, until the dynamic has played out and the herd has found its level.

This running as a herd is something that many horse people are unfamiliar with, anymore.

It isn’t about the size of the spread; our available acreage should not mean that our horse(s) must live in solitary confinement.

The herd—no matter it’s size—is how horses are hard-wired to live. Part social life, part survival mode, when it comes to our horses, the group is where mental and physical healing takes place. For elderly horses, the constant movement will often bring them new life. For young horses, the structure of the herd will give them a newfound respect for rules and getting along with others. They will become socialized.

Now, once they have had this day, or few days, of seeming disruption, all will be well. They will live peaceably and many times, we’ve seen that horses who knew one another once, will not forget how they interact years later. It’s a magical thing, observing the equine society at work.

Meanwhile, the chewed hides, squeals, kicks, wide eyes and flared nostrils will eventually pass. Watch and beware but trust that Nature is working her little miracles.

Have patience. Take care. Stay safe.

***

Now, an addendum. Many of us will argue that we have unusual circumstances... tragic stories... intractable, murderous horses... Yes. I hear you. I believe you, for I have witnessed them, too.

Here’s the thing. When we fail to meet our young horses’ basic equine needs—their understanding and need to live somewhere in the social order of the herd, whether due to the horse’s value or sheer impracticality of the set up—they can grow up as sociopaths, like rapists and murderers. Whether this is due to nature or nurture is far beyond my reckoning. In the same situation, especially meek and mild horses will often become henpecked, driven away from the established and happy herd for weeks on end.

We can only take note and try our best to further our horses’ mental wellness, while always being ready to step in and separate, to keep them safe. While doing this, we quietly vow to do better with the next young horse who comes along.

This is Nature’s way and she is, indeed, a tough old broad. We can watch and learn, we can build upon our store of horse sense. Knowing this reassures me, while making me resolved to keep on learning from these horses who are our teachers.

Shown here, Cody, back when he was in his twenties, keeping the yearling stallion, July, upon his toes. They would eventually become fast friends—as mentor and student—but July was never once allowed to forget who was the real brains of the operation!

09/27/2023

Yes!

Connection is the foundation from which all good training stems. It begins from the first touch of a foal, to the first halter, to the initial leading lessons, all the way up to the feel of reins carried by a highly educated horse. The first touches carry the same meaning that we build upon through a horse’s education: connection, softness, straightness, and balance.

If we have meaningless touches in the early life of our horse, they will struggle to understand the subtleties of our touch later. If we are undisciplined in our own handling and presentation of our bodies and tools to the horse, we rob them of the experience of true connection.
We’re either setting them up for physical and mental balance with our touches, or creating contention, brace, imbalance, and confusion with how we touch our horses.

Every time we put our hand on the horse, it should be with intention and awareness

Photo by Melinda Yelvington

09/26/2023

Going for a stroll with “Bucky” the yearling

08/14/2023

SOMETIMES HORSES BUCK

I aim to not have a horse buck when I saddle them for the first time.

If I’ve done all my preparatory work and simulations, if the relationship is good, I consider it a good thing if they don’t buck.

I’ve started hundreds of horses under saddle, and I take some pride when I can get it done without any bucking, and that’s the majority of the time.

However.

There are always going to be some horses who are going to buck, especially when they canter with the saddle for the first time.

I’ve done a lot of different styles…
Saddling at liberty, saddling with clicker, saddling with start buttons and consent when I was using no pressure and release and only positive reinforcement, saddling after doing extensive groundwork over years, using a surcingle first and then a saddle with no cinch, and removing stirrups, and trying to reduce trigger stacking…

And there are still some horses where it just feels weird in canter, or when they feel all the sensations of the saddle parts together in motion for the first time, and that feeling is impossible to simulate in our groundwork.

If someone claims a horse should never buck during the first saddling, that’s pretty naïve.

It’s is a nice thing to aim for, but I don’t think we need to crucify ourselves or others if it happens.

Like many other things, we can get a little fixated on behavior, when we need to be looking at emotional state, instead.

Looking at the emotional state of the horse before and after the behavior of bucking can tell us a lot.

Are they confident and trusting before and after the event, and just ‘had a moment,’ or was everything escalating into a wreck from the get-go?

Sometimes we are more affected by the event than the horse is, and that’s where we need to do our own work. That’s a place where the horse can teach us about not holding on to emotional states.

That’s what we need to be looking at, and when we’re playing the critic, a picture or a short video on social media can’t give us that, so sometimes it’s best to withhold judgement.

Sincerely, a former critic. 🙏

07/24/2023

Naughtilus the 5 year old warmblood’s first canter in the arena.

No fences, no steering, no problem 😎