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Hi Gerry - Where we ride shoes are almost always necessary. The back country in the Greater Yellowstone is very rocky, horses and mules are almost always shod. So here, in most cases, he will always need them. Thanks for the comment.

Agree - This Q&A was part of our Groundwork series we will have published online by the end of November. Bill is a huge advocate for groundwork and getting their mind.

@billoliverhorsemanship4512 I am not a bronc rider, nor am I am experienced in riding a rearing horse. However I do groundwork like crazy, especially in winter months when riding is pretty impossible. Always looking for new exercises, awaiting his series. I find the more groundwork you do, the better the horse is in the saddle. Granted I've never had a horse that wasn't started by me, a problem horse, like rearer, is not something I would mess with.

exactly

We all start somewhere. Good luck with your horse training!

@@billoliverhorsemanship4512 thanks mate

There are always more horses in training and getting ready to go to new home. Looks like this horse would make a great companion for someone!!! I wish I could own him. ❤❤❤❤

Thank you@@karinthia.h. He went to a great home to take care of an older gentleman that needed a safe ranch gelding. He is missed, but we know he is loved in his new home.

Same principle as kids starting gymnastics at a young age. If they start young they learn to build muscle and bone strength over time and years so when they get to the big leagues they are ready. Now that being said you can over do it so you do careful and gentle sessions and also make sure they horse is 2-3. Ideally at 2 you aren’t doing much of anything usually until they are closer to 3.

@@FishWorldPodcast A horse should not be ridden until they are 5 years old. Before that age the horse is still growing.

@@gerrycoleman7290 horses grow until they are 7 years old technically. But riding with care won’t hurt them. I start mine at 3 with light rides. Just walking and short 1-5 minute sessions. It’s the same as teenagers running track. They build the strength to do it and it’s not dangerous for their body as long as their bodies are cared for properly.

I do not agree. A horse is almost full grown at 4 years old. We do not over use them or ride them for very long. We are working on their psychological and mind of accepting a saddle and rider and cues at a young age. What we are doing is all age appropriate and allows them to learn without over use and injury.

I agree with this. Our rides are 10 minutes at best, and all age appropriate.

Thank you.

We want them to feel it all. The method works, and we can't tiptoe around the colt. Whatever we will expect them to be comfortable with on a daily basis, we ask the first time.

I bet you use horse treats too

Thanks for the kind words

Good question. Horses have memories like elephants. If we lightly start them as 2 year olds, they are more comfortable and accepting as they age. This has so much to do with their mind and building that relationship. By the time they are 4, they are no longer a "colt" they are a horse. It is important to build that foundation with them early when they are more accepting. This colt was never ridden for more than 10 -20 minutes for the first 10 rides. Then he was put out to grow up a little. He was brought back in the fall and put a couple more short rides to refresh his memory and make sure he was comfortable. Horses were made to work, and those that have a job are the happiest in our opinion.

Thanks for the question. It keeps the latigo from falling out when the horse is moving.

Not sure if you are serious or not, but we start these young horses under saddle and have a rider on them the first day. All as part of the acceptance they understand. It is a quicker and safer method of starting colts, using the language they understand.