6 Tips to Prep Your Horse for the Colt Starter

Sending a young horse off to a colt starter is an exciting step in their development, but proper preparation can make all the difference in their success. A well-prepared horse will have a smoother transition into training, experience less stress, and make faster progress. Whether you’re sending a two-year-old or an older horse with minimal handling, here’s how you can set them up for success before they step into the trainer’s barn.

1. Ensure They Have Proper Ground Manners

Before your horse ever meets the colt starter, they should have a solid foundation in basic handling. This includes: ✔ Leading quietly without pulling or lagging behind ✔ Respecting personal space and yielding to pressure ✔ Standing tied patiently ✔ Picking up all four feet for the farrier

Horses that lack these basic skills will waste valuable training time on things they should already know, making the process more stressful for both the horse and the trainer.

2. Expose Them to a Variety of Stimuli

Desensitization before sending your horse off can be a huge advantage. Introducing them to different sights, sounds, and experiences will help them adapt to training much faster. Some great ways to build confidence include: ✔ Walking over tarps, poles, and different surfaces ✔ Introducing them to clippers, spray bottles, and blankets ✔ Exposing them to noise, such as a radio or machinery ✔ Handling them in different environments, such as arenas, pastures, and barns

A horse that has already encountered new and unusual situations will be less reactive and more willing to learn.

3. Teach Them to Load and Haul

Your colt’s first trailer ride shouldn’t be the day they leave for the trainer. Practicing loading and unloading calmly ensures a low-stress travel experience. If they’re comfortable in a trailer, they’ll arrive at the trainer’s facility relaxed and ready to work. At CM Performance Horse’s, we prefer them to be able to back out of the trailer for safety measures in a slant trailer. 

4. Get Them Comfortable with Tack

A young horse that has been introduced to tack before arriving at the trainer will progress much faster. You can start by: ✔ Letting them wear a saddle pad and surcingle ✔ Placing a lightweight saddle on their back and letting them move around ✔ Gently introducing a bridle and bit

You don’t need to cinch them up or ride them—just letting them feel the tack and move in it will make the process much smoother for the colt starter.

5. Ensure They Are Up to Date on Veterinary and Farrier Care

Horses starting training should be physically prepared for the workload. Before sending them to the colt starter, make sure they are: ✔ Up to date on vaccinations and deworming ✔ Recently seen by a farrier with balanced feet ✔ Checked for any dental issues that could interfere with bit acceptance. Many young horses will have wolf teeth that will interfere with the bit and set them up with poor habits handling the bit in the future. If you have their teeth floated wolf teeth pulled, this will better set your colt up for success. 

A healthy, well-maintained horse will be more comfortable and ready to learn.

6. Prepare Their Mindset for Learning

If your horse has never been asked to work before, suddenly being in a structured training program can be overwhelming. Teaching them to be caught easily, stand for grooming, and respect your cues before they ever arrive at the trainer’s barn can make a huge difference in their ability to handle pressure.

Final Thoughts

A colt starter’s job is to introduce your horse to a solid foundation of training—but their time is best spent advancing your horse’s education, not fixing avoidable problems. By preparing your horse ahead of time, you set them up for a smooth and successful training experience.

📅 Is your colt ready for training? Start preparing now to make the most of their time with a professional!