09/07/2026
Horse Training Thought of the Day
The subject of how quickly Western trainers can get their colts sliding and turning back keeps coming up in my little sphere of influence. Here’s my opinion.
When you first start these colts, they don’t have the musculature to properly support a 200-pound man, nor do they yet understand how to change their balance to accommodate the rider.
So why would we start sliding and turning them with unnecessary pressure?
How about building the correct muscles and creating the correct balance first?
This is my main concern after the first 30 days of riding.
The neck needs to begin falling in front of the withers so the hind legs can start coming underneath the mass and carrying the load.
The back needs to begin rounding instead of inverting.
The jaw needs to start releasing instead of being locked shut or constantly moving.
These are the foundational pieces that will facilitate a better stop and turn in the future.
In my opinion, developing the horse’s body and balance first is far more productive than pounding on them in the beginning stages just to make them look like they can perform a finished maneuver.
Keep posted, pictures to follow.
Build the foundation first. The performance will come.
