10/15/2026
What is “started” or broke is vastly different in various disciplines and trainers of course. Before I ever saddle one, I like to go down my checklist.
Groundwork, with the flag. Yielding the hind, move the hind and the front. Flag in and around all points and body parts of the horse including blind spots. Backing, backing circles. Rope work. Roping the flanks, roping each foot. Throwing the rope at them while tied. Changing eyes with the rope through the blind spot in the round pen. The same process with the saddle on, getting above the horse in the round pen. Using a tarp and or slicker. Dragging the sack. More rope work. I could go on and on.
Once you actually get to riding one the person on their back should be an after thought. If a horse is started correctly they will feel no need to be scared or defend themselves. Not that a c**t won’t have reasons to get worried or scoot, but if the preparation and the ground work is done in a way that they understand the rider getting on them is the last of their concerns.
