My program is all about setting these horses up for their owners & their futures. Everything we do here at the ranch is preparing them for what they might face in life. It's so important to us that all these challenges get faced now rather than later. Though, I am always changing things in my program to make everything work out for me. I treat these horses as if they were mine. They are cared for 24/7. If I am not there, someone else is. Someone is always at the ranch keeping an eye on things. I create some bonds between these horses. I know they try their best to please.
Colt Starting & Restarting Program
My colt starting and restarting program consists of starting with ground work which includes lunging, flexing, moving hind & fore quarters over, desensitizing, side passing on the wall, etc. Depending on how much ground work they have and how well they respond to it, we would probably get to saddle him that first week. Also depending on how well they take the saddle we could be riding by the second or third week. First 2 rides are in the round pen. By the 3rd ride we are out in the open arena. The first few 5-6 rides will be rode in a hackamore unless they prove to me that the hack is too little and I need more control(just a safety thing). I have done that before and the horses turned out great and is still riding awesome for their owner! Once riding I start by flexing them on the ground with the bridle or hack(this is in the early rides), hop on and flex again, start the "cruising" lesson in which this is to teach them to move out forward at the walk, trot, and lope without breaking or stopping on cue. Eventually we will learn some basic maneuvers and learn to move off leg with sidepassing, moving hind and fore quarters over. Once I start riding them I will continue their ground work, but it will be more concentrated on the riding especially towards the end of their training.
If your horse is coming "fresh out of the pot" meaning absolutely no training under their skin (groundwork) then it will take longer and probably less riding time. Ground work is so important before riding these colts. So if you can train them by doing some ground work before they come for training like lunging, flexing, moving hind & fore quarters over, desensitizing, etc. You will have a nice riding colt by the end of their 60 days.
I have a minimum 60 day program for my colts because it's what works best for the colts, owners, and I. I want to make sure everything is suited best for all of us. I want to send back your colt safe and not something that has only gotten 10 rides. So with that being said, 30 days is not ever going to be enough in my book. If you want more than 60 days, that is awesome!! Your colt will be one heck of a horse by then(again depending on how well their ground is).
If you have a hard catcher, I am sorry, but he will have to be in a stall for his training. My job is to start your colt not chase him around the pasture all day. There's unfortunately not enough time in the day with all the other horses I have to train.
Tell me some details about your colt. Any bad behaviors? Kick? Bite? Rearing on the ground problems? Spooky? Tell me what you like about him. I would like to get to know your colt before you bring him to me.
Updates will be sent out(videos & pictures). You are more than welcome to come see how your horse is doing while at the ranch. A day notice is much appreciated.
Tune Up Program
Horses 10 years & under and horses that are trained under the Downunder Horsemanship method are accepted into my tune up program. My tune up program consists of getting your horse sweaty and giving the rides he needs to make your rides successful. I do ground work the first day to see where he is at there and then I saddle him up and go riding. I do all my safety checks before getting on. Does he flex? That's a big thing in both of my programs. I will teach or retouch on some basic maneuvers before I get too crazy. When the weather cooperates, we will be riding outside for most of the time unless you want more arena things done. My tune up program just consists of what the owner wants done. When communicating with me, tell me all the things I should know before bringing him. Does he buck? Bite? Kick? Spook? Any bad behavior? What does he do good that you like? DETAILS!! I love the details to get to know your horse so I am prepared in what I am getting myself into. I will NOT accept horses that REAR. I can handle a buck, but not a rear.