18/04/2026
90 DAYS WITH A C**T STARTER
What to expect and NOT expect in 90 days with a c**tstarter...
1. 90 days is NOT a finished product.
2. 90 days is just a START.
• A start to a solid foundation.
• A start on learning cues, feels, maneuvers.
• A start at learning how to move out confidently through out the different gaits.
• A start at understanding how to use all 5 main body parts independently.
• A start at being exposed to new environments.
• A start at building a horse that is safe, confident, and balanced.
3. Here’s what you should NOT expect:
• A finished performance horse.
• Mental maturity beyond their age.
• Every hole filled in a set time frame.
• Zero mistakes.
• A robot.
4. Every horse is DIFFERENT.
• We can't expect a 5 year old to learn and get used to requests, bits, boundaries the same as a 2 year old would. A 5 year old has had more time laying on the couch eating popcorn being supported by a welfare check compared to the 2 year old.
• We can't expect a horse who has received poor training in the past to learn and achieve the same results in the same time frame as the horse with a clean slate.
• Each breed and bloodline come with their own unique personalities, quirks, sensitivities, and physical abilities.
• A horse from the plains of South Dakota will not have the self-preservation instincts of a Mustang off the boulders of Utah.
**** Things to keep in mind...
• The level of knowledge & experience matters in the trainer, owner, and rider.
• The goal of a good c**t starter is not to impress you with quick results. It is to help start building you a solid foundation in your horse that will last. That requires your c**t starter being 100% honest with you.
• The more we all understand these facts the easier our life will be... When it comes to the job of the trainer... The reality when creating expectations by the owners... And the future of the horse.
• Our expectations should be made considering the history of the horse, their genetics, and their capabilities... NOT what we want them to do because we saw something cool on a screen or they are all that we can afford. A $1,000 prospect isn’t going to be the same as a $20,000 prospect.
• A solid start takes patience, repetition, and doing the boring work correctly over long periods of time.
• If a trainer promises you a “finished” horse in 90 days, you better ask what corners are being cut. Unfortunately, there are alot of trainers who will promise owners unrealistic results just to get their business. And as a owner it is real easy to fall for it. Listen to your gut!
• REAL foundation work:
Isn’t flashy...
Isn’t rushed...
Isn’t cheap...
And definitely isn’t completed in 30 days.
• You don’t get softness without structure.
You don’t get confidence without clarity.
And you don’t get reliability without repetition.... Time matters.
If you’re sending a young horse off for training, make sure your expectations match reality...
Make sure your trainer values longevity over applause and your business. A good trainer will put the horses interest in front of being dishonest just to keep you as a client.
A "Start" is exactly that... A START.
Post credit : https://www.facebook.com/share/1GKgZruiDZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
