As a Bull Rider from the Williams Lake, BC region, Gary Hunt started many colts to pay Rodeo entry fees.  During this time he was introduced to a man who quickly became his mentor.  Dave Manning had the qualities of Horsemanship that Gary craved.  After working some time with Dave, he developed a method of starting colts that works for every breed with hundreds of finished photos as evidence in his 10 years at the Race Track.  His Training Center in Black Diamond, AB turned out hundreds of well trained colts over the 14 years and for the last 3 years, Gary has done Colt Starting and Problem Solving demonstrations from Coast to Coast in Canada and the US while promoting his DVD ‘Easy Start Method of Breaking Colts’ which can be purchased in the The Store on this website.

The key to solving any problem a horse has or starting any colt is by developing his trust in you.  This begins with Ground Manners which is achieved by Sacking out the horse, teaching it to accept the noise, feel and the movement.  Once the horse realizes this doesn’t hurt and doesn’t have to be afraid, Gary moves on to the park position where the horse quickly learns to stand where he is positioned ‘Parked’ and then the problem solving begins and the colt starting continues.  They are learning essentials they will need for the rest of their lives.  

Gary’s DVD ‘Easy Start Method of Breaking Colts’ illustrates Ground Manners with 3 different horses.  Horses want to learn and once they understand that you are not going to harm them, they change and begin to follow you and demonstrate their trust in you. 

 “Sack-out” = to take all the spookiness out of your horse. 

I believe ‘sacking out’ your colt or horse is a very important step in training.  Over the years, I have found that if you don’t sack your colts out, they never completely overcome some of the spookiness.  The animal has to trust you and realize that when you are working with them, you will not harm them.  They must be completely comfortable with you being around him.  Horses can not think or learn properly if they are afraid of every movement you make. 

It doesn’t matter if I am starting a colt or working with an older horse, I always sack him out first, to gain his trust.   I use my Easy Start Rope, which is a soft 30’ oil based rope.  There is a proper way to put it on so that it will not fall off, and yet will easily release to pressure.  My DVD demonstrates how to build the head rope and put it on.  

I begin by warming up the horse both way’s in the round pen until I have some connection with the horse.  That means when I have eye contact, then I start by bringing the colt up to me and sacking him out with my hands by rubbing him all over and once he accepts this, I begin sacking him out with my sack out blanket until he also accepts this and simply stands there with no worry and nervousness.  The horse will always try to get away from the pressure, but I keep bringing him back to me using a steady pull on the rope.  I like to walk out behind them and throw the blanket at them from both sides until they are comfortable.  

Then I am confident that I can saddle him with no problem. 

Horses of every age find it easier to understand what it is you’re asking them to do when your standing on the ground versus when you are on their backs. 

This is especially important for starting a colt, although  I don’t introduce the driving until the 3rd day of my program which I demonstrate on my DVD.

Now, get your horse saddled up, use a driving halter and tie the stirrups together (I use a piece of sash cord, I call this hobbling the stirrups). Then, run the driving reins through the stirrups. 

To begin with, I stand by their neck and head and lift up on the rein.  Most horses will want to resist the pressure and their head will go up into the air to avoid that pressure. Don’t panic, that is normal. 

Just keep pressure on the halter until you feel the horse’s head start to give to the pressure.  The moment he brings his head down, quickly release the pressure.  Do this a few times on both sides and this will introduce him to his driving lesson.   

When driving your horse, I like to carry a little driving whip to encourage forward motion.  Now we start with one rein, let’s say the left rein, and put pressure on that side of the halter and wait for one step to the left, then release the pressure.Keep him moving forward and continue to repeat this until the colt follows the pull on the rein.  

Now, do the same on the right side, still keeping that forward motion.   

Next, ask him to move in a small circle to the left, making the colt go up into the halter (later it will be into the snaffle) and as well move in a circle to the right, always with forward motion and nicely into the halter, continuing to release the pressure as the horse gives to the halter or bridle.  You will find the horse will be light on his face and break at the pole with a beautiful headset.    

I demonstrate driving clearly on 3 different horses on my DVD which is for sale in 'the Store' on this website.

Gary Hunt recommends doing training and problem solving in a round pen for your safety and the safety of your horse.