Colt starting is typically the first step for horses needing to work on the basics of being a safe equine citizen. Colt starting is for horses previously untouched, halter broke only, or need a complete restart in their training. As Arizona Performance Horses believes a safe equine partner starts from the beginning. During colt starting the horse will learn basics including but not limited to: 

• Safe haltering

• Round pen etiquette

• Hard tie, soft tie, and ground tie

• Standard grooming- brushing, picking hooves, brushing mane and tail, and baths

• Farrier- trimming, exposure to shoeing though shoes depend on the needs of the horse

• Saddling

• Bridling- Bosal; exposure to non-shanked bits though will not be worked in until deemed necessary

• Desensitizing- tarps, flags, soccer balls, ropes, saddle bags, etc. No specific trail course work promised at this level of training. 

• Trailering- loaded, unloaded, and local hauling (no guarantee of competition exposure at this level of training). 

• First 10 rides with a requirement of 30 consecutive rides prior to a higher level of training 

• Undersaddle- emergency stop, mounting, stop, walk, trot, lope, started isolation of head, shoulders, and hindquarters. 

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If a horse is removed from training prior to completion of colt starting, Arizona Performance Horses offers no guarantee to the accomplishment of training and outcomes. 

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Possible exposure options, though no guarantee:

• Dogs, cattle, goats, lambs, and other livestock

• Competition- UPRA, AABRA, NHSFR, PRCA, AQHA, EXCA, NRCHA, NCHA, AZCHA, SACHA, 4-H, SABRA, team roping, barrel racing, rodeo- depending on availability

• Equipment- skid steers, tractors, backhoes, semis, etc. 

• Fire/ Fireworks/ Firearms

• Snake exposure/ training

• Trail course- while trail course work is not offered at this level of training it is possible some colts will have exposure to certain obstacles based on availability 

• Etc

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While we offer no guarantee of a timeline for a horse to complete colt starting, we do regularly check in with owners to notify them of progress. As we are unable to offer the exact same experience to every horse, we work hard to tailor the experience based on the needs of the individual horse, owner, and overall goals. Thus, if something on the possible exposure option is highly important please discuss it further with Arizona Performance Horses trainers to ensure as much exposure as possible. 

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 Colt starting is only offered on-site on a full-time training basis due to the need for frequent repetition and the need for the facility to provide the highest level of training quality.