Training Colts and Stallions....

Training the colt...

The younger you get them - the better. I've found that younger colts are like little boys: a little more aggressive than the girls and will test you more. BUT this said - if you get that colt halter broke, well-handled, and calm BEFORE he's ever weaned. He will ALWAYS be less likely to argue since you've imprinted the fact that you are a 'dominant herd member'.

I actually halter break the foals before one week of age, then they are tied twice a day for feed, and scratched and loved on. The more positive attention you give them - the more EAGER they are to please you!

This does not mean that you let them get their way. When they act up - do as 'momma' does and give them a kick in the chest. One kick, no more, you've made your statement and you go on with what you're doing. Foals understand what a kick is - they DON'T understand what a hit or whip is - it's not natural communication. If they get way outta hand (like that colt that runs at you, twirles, kicks, and runs off) CHASE HIM! This is what mares do.. The second you get one kick on him, turn calmly and walk off - this is how horses communicate.. you've made your point.. you're dominant in the herd.. He will respond and ask for acceptance again through good behavior.. When you get the behavior you want: praise him, pet him, scratch his itchy spot. He will be more 'eager to please' quicker each time...

Training the colt 1-2 years old

Colts require a lot of attention to keep them in line as they grow up... If you've raised him to already be trusting, halter broke, eager to please humans - then when his 'hormones' start to hit between the ages of 1-2 years - you're going to have less problems than with colts that don't have the 'proper raising'..

You will notice some of these behaviors when colts get hormones: Shaking his head at you as he approaches, Rearing, threatening to kick more often, nipping, pawing, and not having much ability to concentrate.

For the 'stallion' behaviors that he's exhibiting as he approaches you - do as the mares do - Wheel around with a LOUD YELL and KICK at him. Then turn with a menacing glare and walk determidly right at him. If he acts up again - do your act again! You are acting the dominant horse - you are 'pushing' him outta your space. When he walks around you and drops his head in submissive posturing, looking at you hopefully... Immediatly change your stance to one of happiness, scratches, pets, etc.... then put on his halter and go on with your business.

If you intend to show him in Halter - I'd highly recommend teaching him to lunge. Don't do it for very long as it will hurt his joints, but just enough so that he'll lunge anywhere. There are many times that colts will get nervous and act up at a show.. If they know how to lunge you are able to take them 'outside' and let them 'work off' their nerves.

***do you notice I make no mention of 'lip chains'?**

On the racetrack we rarely used chains to lead ANY colt/stallion. If they're trained properly you shouldn't find it neccessary to use one.. If you have a colt that is getting a little outta hand - then you might need to use one a time or two.. It is a TRAINING TOOL - and should not be a necessary part of his tack! The more you use one, the less sensitive they get to it - so when you really need it, it has become almost ineffective!

Stallions...

Pictured above is my six year old Appaloosa Stallion: Sparky Coyote. He can be ridden anywhere, by almost anyone, with or without a bit. He is shown in halter with no Chain, Is not bothered by horses bumping into him at rodeos, will lead any gelding or colt on trails.... Most people think he is a gelding - until they look between his legs...

He is not the first stallion That I've trained to this point of 'personality perfection'.. JoJo's Black Cloud (that I earned many awards on) is the exact same way...

BOTH stallions were pretty much unhandled when they came here.. Blackie was a coming 3 year old, dominant colt who didn't even lead... Sparky was a 4 year old stallion, who didn't know anything and had never been out of a stall..

How did these two stallions learn to act and perform like GELDINGS???

Time, Patience and proper TRAINING! It takes an average of six months to bring a stallion to this point. PAIN DOESN'T WORK!!! If you cause pain - a stallion will fight you. Even if you think you've 'broke his mind' he will eventually get back at you because of his resentment! These are the dangerous stallions you see: rearing and striking their handlers in Halter, trying to tear down stalls at shows, Being kept in stall the rest of their lives because they are dangerous!

By using the proper timeframe and training techniques that the dressage masters before us created... you will slowly create a trustworthy mount out of a stallion... By using groundwork, lunging, grounddriving, then slacking out, then slowly riding him for short periods of time, etc.. you will create a stallion that WANTS TO PLEASE YOU!

And a stallion that WANTS to please - is the most incredible competition partner that you'll ever have! With just a glare and a word - you'll be able to control that stallion under any circumstance without the use of pain...Simply because HE WANTS you happy...