At Cowboy Campus, colt starting is more than just teaching a horse to carry a rider—it’s about setting up a young horse for success with a foundation of trust, confidence, and responsiveness. For $1,500 a month, your colt will be started under the care and expertise of Keith Stewart and his assistant trainers, Reba and Alex. Together, we’ve refined a program built on years of experience, with a strong emphasis on meaningful groundwork and thoughtful progression.
Groundwork: Building Trust from the Ground Up
Every colt starts with groundwork to help them feel safe, secure, and ready for the next step. If your horse isn’t halter-broke, we’ll get them there. For those that are, we work on teaching them to follow a feel, developing responsiveness and trust. Our groundwork includes desensitizing with a flag, teaching colts to handle things that might initially scare or bother them. This step ensures they learn to stay calm and confident when faced with new challenges.
Saddling: Comfort in Their “Clothing”
Once groundwork is solid, we introduce the saddle, helping the colt adjust to the feel, much like getting comfortable in a new outfit. We take our time here, ensuring the colt feels confident and secure before moving on. A comfortable horse is a willing partner, and we never rush this crucial stage.
First Rides: From Groundwork to Backwork
When the colt is at ease with the saddle, we add a rider. Thanks to their groundwork foundation, this transition is smooth. We start by directing them with cues they’ve already learned on the ground, adding a one-rein stop for safety and control. If you follow Cowboy Campus, you’ll know how essential this is to creating a safe and willing horse.
Progression: Engagement and Gentle Challenges
Once the basics are established in a halter, we transition to a snaffle bit and begin introducing small, interesting tasks to keep the colt engaged. These tasks may include tracking a cow, navigating over a tarp, or working through transitions. The focus is always on short, frequent sessions to match the attention span of young horses, keeping the experience positive and productive.
What to Expect After One Month
In just one month, most colts are ready for an experienced rider who is confident working with young horses. For those who need more time, we’ll assess their progress and discuss an additional month of training if necessary. Our process is designed to create a willing, responsive horse that is ready to take the next steps with their owner.
A Proven Method
Our colt starting program has been refined over years of experience, producing consistent results. With patience, expertise, and a commitment to each horse’s well-being, we’ve helped countless colts transition into confident, capable partners.
If you’re ready to give your colt the best start, contact us today to learn more about our colt starting program. We're located near Longview, Alberta, Canada. With Cowboy Campus, you can trust that your young horse is in caring, experienced hands.
DIY Colt Starting
If you’re looking to start your colts yourself, you can take our colt starting program inside the Building Trust not Tension: The CCU Club. It’s a great way to learn the proven methods we use every day and set your young horse up for success.
Comments