On Monday, we wrapped up a 10-Day Colt Starting Clinic taught by Professional Clinician Jeff Davis. Here’s a look at the first three days of the clinic, which focused on preparing the horses for a safe, first ride.

Day One

The first day of the clinic started by teaching the colts the roundpenning exercises. Jeff offers instruction to Cindy as she gets her horse moving out around the roundpen.

 

Method Ambassador Brock Nelsen was on hand to assist participants with their horses.

 

Shannon points up high in the air to ask her mare to move.

 

Rebekah checks her horse’s gas pedal to ensure that when she asks her to move out, she does so without hesitation.

 

Method Ambassador Cale Young’s mare trots around the roundpen before Cale asks her to step up to the canter.

 

Jeff watches as Wade lets his horse trot around the roundpen, giving the gelding a chance to settle in before starting the exercises.

 

After roundpenning their horses, participants desensitized the horses to their training tools. Here, Jaclyn desensitizes her horse to the lead rope.

 

Professional Clinician Shayla Smock assisted Jeff with the clinic and was quick to offer help to participants.

 

Method Ambassador Jamie Laird asks her colt to change directions.

 

Method Ambassador Connie Harris gets a “Yes, Ma’am” response from her horse when she asks the mare to change directions.

 

After asking her mare to change directions, Jennifer gets in position to drive her around the roundpen.

 

Method Ambassador Alex Sparks’ horse moves easily around the roundpen.

 

Method Ambassador Josh Standen works with Wyatt’s colt.

 

Dakota works on getting his horse to stay on the circle and maintain gait.

 

Method Ambassador Anna McCoy’s horse settles into a canter.

 

Method Ambassador Christa Curry teaches her colt Yield the Hindquarters Stage One as Jeff watches.

 

While Jeff explains how to teach the horses to do Yield the Hindquarters Stage Two, Josh demonstrates the exercise with Jaclyn’s horse.