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I think any good trainer will tell you his/her most important tool is time. All the techniques and equipment in the world won’t make a horse without time and effort. But this is a hurry up world. Time is money and all that garbage.

I watched a tape the other night on dressage training for young horses . I don’t remember his name but it was by a very high level trainer.

Although there were some good techniques involved, the biggest thing that struck me was the training times. What I would consider to be done in months, weeks or maybe even days he took YEARS to train. What he said should be accomplished in the first year I try to basically try to put on a colt in the first few weeks.

Since my patience level is usually about as short as a politician’s promise, I really have to keep myself in check when working with a horse. Doesn’t always work out that well but next time I get that “we ain’t gettin nowhere” feeling…I’ll hear that German fella’s voice telling me it doesn’t happen overnight….or maybe even not this year.

Here’s a little about the tack and gear I like to use.

Saddle: I’ve got a Billy Cook saddle that’s goin on 30 years old. I believe when I got it was called a steer roping. Sounds about right cause it weighs as much as good sized steer. It’s plain as day - not a lick of tooling except for the maker stamp. It has seen it’s rough days…uncooperative colts, brush, weather. It’s got some scratches and some discoloration but it’s still in great shape and just fits…the horses and me. I’ve had offers to buy it but I suppose it’ll be one of things that gets buried with me.

Cinch: For training and short rides I’ve come to like the neoprene cinches. The Smart Cinch from Weaver works pretty good and they don’t cost a whole lot. They hold good and seem to be pretty good on the horse. Easy to clean too. Mohair cinches are great but they tend to pick up sand around here with puttin the saddle on and off different horses and such. I’ve just got some info on horsehair cinches from a cowboy board I look into. I might just try one if the money tree bears any fruit this season.

Pads and Blankets: Nothing fancy for me. When I started out there wasn’t all the pads and stuff they got now. I don’t really recall ever soring a horse cause of a pad. Therefore my stuff is pretty unexciting. I like the ones with the fleece stuff for most riding. In the brush and for long rides wool pads for me. Starting colts and “enthusiastic” horse I use a wool blanket instead of a pad…I think they keep the saddle from slipping alot better.

Wife has and Impact Gel pad for her mare that cost probably as much as all mine together. It sure is nice but heavy. It does work well for her. If I ever learn how to rope good enough to catch something besides the horse I’m riding I think I’d get me one. I think it’d work well for taking the shock out of a critter pulling one the saddle.

Breast Collar: Can’t say I ever really use one. Probably should I guess. Maybe I’ll try and get in the habit cause there is a couple of them in the barn.

Flank Cinch: Since I don’t rope mine is usually hanging in the barn. I do like to use them some when starting horses just so they are broke to it. I was taught to not put em on too tight or too loose…about where you can get your hand under it. And never use one that ain’t attached to the front cinch.

Bridles: For snaffle bits browband style only. For curbs I use either browband or a one ear. One I really like is from Weaver Leather made of latigo leather. Very plain and I think cost around 15 bucks. But they hold up really good and get real nice and soft if you oil em. Fits every horse I’ve had it on and got a throat strap that I think is important. Mine lead a hard life being I use them for training and colt starting. They been dropped, stepped on and otherwise treated badly. A little cleaning and they’re good as new. When they bury me I’m gonna have them throw one of them bridles in the hole with me.

Bits: Be writin a whole book if we get into this one. Like most stuff, gimmicks and fads don’t work.

Reins: I grew up with leather reins and that’s what feels best to me. I can get along with rope, horsehair, braids, etc. but when it gets serious there’ll be leather in my hands. About 5/8″ works for me. They gotta be long enough so the ends hang down nice…too short and it always feels like they’re pulling outta your hands. I like em good soft so they feel like they got some life in em. Never used rawhide reins but they sure are pretty.

Cavesson: I like to use a cavesson with my snaffle bit rigs. I use a leather one, again nothing fancy. Gotta be careful with them and get them adjusted right. It’ll sometimes scare a horse if it’s too tight and they ain’t used to it. Most times if that happens they’ll wanna rear up and maybe flip over.

Slobber Straps: I use them on my snaffle rigs except when showing. i like the feel of them and the wieght they add near the bit. I also think they give some vibration to the bit giving the horse subtle cues. Since slobber straps you buy are made with a big hole for rope reins, I made my own of a little different design so I can use them with leather reins.

Training Fork: I use a simple martingale that I think they call a Texas training fork. Nothing but leather straps with rings for the reins to go through. Some horses do real well with it others don’t accept it too well. It’s not for starting colts and it’s another simple looking piece of equipment that can be dangerous if not used right.

Leg Boots: I don’t use leg boots on young horses. It’s my belief that support boots hinder tendon development and it’s not really a bad thing if a colt bumps themselves once in a while…makes em pay attention to their footwork. But I don’t push my colts into very stressful maneuvers.

On older horse that is at a higher performance level I have a set of Classic Equine support boots that I really need to get in the habit of using. I also have a set of standard splint boots which I like to use. I’ve also got the bell boots but haven’t had a big need to use them. Once a horse starts getting the idea of stopping on their back end I put em in leather skid boots. One bad experience of a burned fetlock can set things back quite a bit. I prefer the leather ones but probably just habit…the neoprene boots probably work good too.

Shoes: Well this would be a long subject itself. I believe in barefoot horses for the most part but sliders are a necessity.  Get the best farrier you can find and make sure you learn enough about it that you are 100% confident in what he/she is doing.

I’m needin some advice.

Due to some unforseen circumstances the Smokin P Ranch is gettin a little behind in the financial way of things. Therefore this ol’ fella gotta do some creative earning. I been tossing around the idea of giving some riding lessons here at the place. Nothing too fancy, just beginner kind of stuff. I always figured I was better with horses and other animals than I was with people, but I kinda think I’d be ok getting some folks and their kids started out right.

Anyways, I was wondering if anybody knew if I gotta carry insurance for that kinda thing. Or is that covered by those signs that I gotta post at my place about the Equine Liabilty Act?

Actually I got this lessons idea from a commercial on TV. It’s for some cell phone company. They show 3 or 4 girls standin there looking at a pretty nice pony. The girl that got it is all depressed cause she got a pony instead the latest whiz bang cell phone. That really pissed me off. To this day if that commercial comes on I turn it off or walk away. When I was that age I woulda gave important parts of my anatomy to someone that gave me a pony, horse, mule, donkey, dog, etc. And she is all broke up cause she didn’t get a cell phone? This world’s going to hell.

Don’t mean to rant bout stuff but that ain’t nothin compared to what wife had to listen to when I saw that commercial first time.

As of now we got 9 horses on the place. Here’s a little bout em.

“Bandit” - “Stetsons Lil Diamond” APHA Black/White Tovero gelding- My re-entry into the horse world after a pretty darn long layoff. Bought him as a weanling from in-laws. He’s now a 2 yo started under saddle. Everyone thought he’d be a bronc. I took him to an open show after his 3rd ride and took 4th in a western pleasure class. Guess they were wrong.
“Ginger” - “Dixies Lil Girl” PtHA Black/White Overo mare- My wife’s entry into the horse world. She’d never really been around horses much. Also bought as a weanling. She had a good disposition for wife to work with. She’s 2 now and I’ve got her started in the saddle. She’s more spooky when ridden than Bandit. We tried a show and she got unnerved in the practice area and showed me she could buck a little. Has the most beautiful trot you’d ever want to sit. She is tall and elegant, shows very good athletics and moves.

“Dixie” - “Generation Gap” PtHA Chestnut Tobiano mare. Dam to Ginger and Crystal. Given to us in foal with Crystal by in-laws. Definitely a Paint but papers lost somewhere couple owners back. Also a beautiful trot. Seems she passes it on. Was diagnosed as navicular which we are working through. Wife and kids ride her since she’s pretty well broke. Few times I’ve rode her she has very good potential. Next spring I hope to work with her more.

“Brandy” - “Sweet Donna Twist” AQHA Chestnut mare- Dam to Jack. Bought her as a Christmas present for wife last year. Got great deal since she was a cow bred horse at a halter/pleasure type barn. She was bred when we got her. I started her as a 3yo since she hadn’t previously been handled. She was a challenge but learns very quickly and definitely has the desire and ability. Next year she might be the one that’ll make it look like I know what I’m doing.

“Crystal” - “Dixies Lil Gem” PtHA Chestnut Tobiano mare- Daugter of Dixie. She’s a yearling now but was a late foal so not sure when I’m gonna start her. I’ve heard some say that good reiners are kinda short with laid back dispositions. If that’s true Crystal ought to be a world beater. I don’t think she’s gonna be too tall unless she has a spurt. And she is very mild mannered. I’ve done some groundwork with her but I’m probably the worst in the world in figurin a horse until I’m actually on their back. Of course have high hopes for her.

“Jack” - “Smokin Jack Daniels” AQHA Chestnut Stallion - Son of Brandy. He’s my boy. He’s got a long ways to go and a lot to prove but he might just stay a stud. So far I really like what I see. I know his mom is good and I was impressed with his dad. He’s a very quick learner like his mom. I’m gonna give him every chance to prove himself.

“Arco” - “Arco de Santa Fe” PFHA Chestnut mare - Paso Fino mare given to us by inlaws (see a pattern here?). Didn’t work out for mother in law’s uses. She’s 17 yo. About 14.1 but definitely a herd leader. I know very little about Paso Finos but she was a top level show horse in her day. My daughter seems to get along real well with her so hopefully she’ll be able to work with her.

“Jake” Bay Grade Quarter Horse gelding - Jake was “repossesssed” from borders for non- payment. He’s a good riding horse with good foundation of training. He’s a “big circle” horse…can go all day and ask for more. He’s what I’ll usually tack up when I gotta do something or go down the road. Hopefully can put some work in on em but if not we get along well as is.

“Parker” Sorrel Grade TWH/Quarter Horse gelding - Also Repo’d from same people. Parker was broke by a young “trainer” that rode him in a halter. Fairly well broke but definitely needs some ride time. I’ve started getting him in a snaffle and he’s taken to it ok but I think it’s going to be harder than usual because of how he was started. Very easy keeper…if he sees a feed bag he gains weight.

The folks I work with at the “real job” don’t know much about horses, most never been on one. So I get all the standard questions. What do you do with em? Isn’t it expensive? Isn’t it a lot of work? Ain’t that dangerous?

I can’t ever answer em. What do you say? When you think about it I guess they’re right, it don’t make a lot of sense.

But you all know what I mean. Them first few steps on  a colt’s first ride. The first trot. The first lope. That moment when you ask for the stop and you feel that back end drop. Wiggling a finger and feeling that face give. The precision of a sidepass. Feeling that pivot foot lock in. When everything comes together even for just a split second.

You might spend hours, days, weeks months working on the slightest maneuver. But when it finally happens every second of work was worth it.

I usually ride alone. Mostly cause I’m afraid anyone else might think I’m nuts going goo goo over what seems like something simple. They have no clue why I’m telling my horse he’s the greatest thing since oxygen because he put one foot in the right place at the right time. Hell, sometimes I think the horse thinks I’m nuts. Wife knows I’m nuts but it’s in the contract she gotta tolerate me.

I suppose closest I’ll ever get to a major reining show is a seat in the bleachers. But every day I’m on the back of a horse I find a way to win a million dollar event. Least ways it feels like I did.

One of these days I’ll see one of you all ride in one of them major events. Maybe even win the whole thing. And when you do, don’t go bein shy about it. No matter how silly you look celebratin there’ll be one fella that knows exactly what you mean.