Starting Colts: Catching / Sacking Out / Driving / First Ride / First 30 Days / Loading

You can use different words to describe Mike Kevil--horse whisperer, psychologist, magician, behaviorist--but he prefers just plain old horse trainer. "Whatever the current fad," he says, "all we're really doing is training a horse. It isn't magical, mystical, secretive, or even difficult for the most part. Most anyone can do it; but to do it well takes knowledge and practice. A few basic skills and a good work ethic are all you need to get started." Kevil gives the reader all that and more in this practical guide to mastering horse-training skills aimed at both the expert and novice horseman and -woman. His philosophy is simple: Stimulus-Response-Reward, then Repeat. You apply a stimulus until you get the desired response, then you stop the stimulus and reward the horse. In the pages of STARTING COLTS, Kevil offers readers an understanding of how to apply and cease the stimulus in the best and most humane way possible. He emphasizes safety and going slowly with young horses. Patience and a steady approach build confidence in both the horse and trainer. Chapters include facilities, equipment, catching and leading, tying up, longeing, sacking out, first saddling, introduction to the bit, driving, first ride, first thirty days, developing the mouth, thirty to ninety days, and trailer loading.

MIKE KEVIL has over thirty years' experience starting colts and changing the behavior of older horses. He's traveled all over the United States and Europe working with all breeds of horses and disciplines. He works with clubs, associations, schools, and horsemen's groups. The countless colts Kevil has started have gone on to become champions in a variety of disciplines, but perhaps what's most important to him is that The horses have become winners in the hearts of their owners. When asked why he does what he does, he replied: "Two reasons. I like helping people learn, and I find the horse's mind fascinating. After all these years and all the horses I've worked with, I still get a kick every time a horse makes an improvement. My job is to teach the horse something so he's better than when I started with him." He lives in Cave Creek, Arizona