09/09/2023
Some really good points here. However, I don’t believe in it generalizing groundwork type stuff as a “ride.” We put too much emphasis on how many “rides” something has had as a way to prove ourselves and our ability. Forget # of rides, track softness, track temperament, track confidence. This will tell you how broke your horse is becoming despite “rides.” And for heaven’s sake, stop letting other people get in your head and rush the process. Some horses need to go extremely slow to counter years of trauma. Some horses are quick learners and naturally confident and curious. Horse training is NOT a one-size-fits-all practice. Be patient. Are you offering your horse the best deal?
Some ideas for colt-starting if you’re working alone and aren’t a bronc-rider…
Work them off the top of the fence and make sure they will come over and let you sit on them from both sides.
Work them off a mounting block or a stump and rub on them and flap stirrups around and whatnot while they’re walking around the mounting block to make sure they’re not going to freeze up and that you can get forward motion without a blow up, and that they’re not going to be reactive with you above them and switching eyes.
Bring their nose around and grab the stirrup with that rein hand and see if you can step the hindquarters over without them trying to take their nose away. Then rub their hindquarters to a stop without giving their nose back yet.
And remember, a sit is a ride.
Heck, standing in the stirrup is a ride.
Bending their nose around is a ride.
Getting one step of hindquarter disengagement is a ride, and then untracking the feet just a few steps is a ride.
You don’t have to do it all at once.
And invest in a good nightlatch.
It’s not going to save you if they bronc, but it will help you stay out of their way.
Wear a helmet maybe.
