On Sunday, 30 participants will arrive at the ranch for the 10-day Colt Starting Clinic that begins Monday. Clinton will start by having each of the participants work with their colts in the roundpen and then move on to Fundamentals groundwork. Exercises on the ground will focus both on desensitizing and sensitizing to pressure so that the young horses are not only quiet, using the thinking side of their brains and prepared for a rider, but responsive and attentive to cues. Clinton’s approach to colt starting, which he learned from his late Australian mentor Gordon McKinlay, is focused on preparation and safety for both horse and rider. By the end of the clinic, the participants will have put over 10 rides on their horses, including taking them on the trail and working over the obstacle course. Learn more about Clinton’s colt starting method in his comprehensive Colt Starting Series.
