Ken McNabb: Colt Starting (Part 7 of 7) - The Second Ride

In this final session of our 7-part colt starting series, I'll be putting the second ride on my colt and introducing him to the snaffle bit.
Beginning the Session
As in past sessions, I'll start out by reminding the colt of the lessons he's learned up to this point (I can move his feet, he needs to focus on me, and he doesn't need to be afraid of me or the objects I bring to him).
Bucking
If your horse gets to bucking in the second session, educate him and let him know that's not okay. Stop his feet and have him face you, then move him off again. If he bucks again, repeat.
Introducing the Bit
Ask him to soften his face just as you did in the halter. When he flexes laterally and vertically, release. If he also disengages his hindquarters, that's great, let him have that. A big part of keeping your horse soft is recognizing when he does something right and letting him know. If he moves his hindquarters but doesn't soften, stay with his movement until he does soften.
The Second Ride
A lot of people ask, "What does the second ride look like?" And what I tell people is that it looks like the first ride, it just takes less time. I like to remember that at this point in the training, I am a passenger and a guest - I don't start moving all the furniture around. I remember to stay loose and relaxed. If the horse spooks, he spooks, just stay with it.
Another question I frequently get asked is, "When do you start using your legs?" In short, once my horse is moving out comfortably and consistently, I'll start to bump him a little when I know he's going to move. It may be day 3, 4, or 5, but I introduce the idea slowly.
Take your time, and build on your progress just one step at a time, and you'll have a safe, fun, colt start.
Until next time, may God bless the trails you ride,
Ken McNabb

[@FeralRanchWife]

These videos are really helping me break a 2yr old mustang filly. I see sometimes I expect too much maturity from her, and need to chill. She’s super smart and tries really hard. Thanks 😊

[@kevinmelias]

Hi Ken. Thanks for this great series and inspiring words. You mentioned at one point the connection between too much ground work and cold-backed horses. I've been puzzling over this for a while. Can you explain this?

[@JamesonHorsemanship]

Thanks Mr. Ken, you’re an inspiration!

[@shawnwalton7876]

The message at the end was much needed. God bless you sir !!

[@johankannemeyer7284]

Thank you Ken for this series I really find it inspirational. We do'nt have the opportunities here to attend sessions like these. Your approach in getting your horses to willingly participate in their training is an excellent guide for us to follow. I know that the trails you ride are blessed. Keep it up!!

[@insanityrulz2456]

I love how you do the “tap tap tap” before you throw the saddle on, glad to see I’m not the only one 😊

[@victorm7274]

I watched ken entire video, and I had to go back and see the "tap tap tap" just before he put the saddle over his back. I think that a good idea to let the horse know saddle is coming. I'm going to tap tap tap when I saddle my new mustang. thank you.👍

[@parkcitytrainer5541]

Love your knowledge and the steps by steps, I think on your session 2 your energy was very reactivated, I see a lot of people saying to not scare the horses and be patient specially with a young horse that doesn't know what humans wants/expected from them. I think when we reacted there is too much pressure on them, they get scared and they stressed, learning under stress is really hard for the brain specially for a horse, do you have any other options? I am knew just trying to learn.

[@tashal792]

So to keep a colt from bucking, you would shut him down when he starts by pulling his nose towards you? I’ve got a horse that likes to buck sometimes but he’s not a colt, he’s going to be 14 this June. But I have never been shown a way to shut it down from the ground. Would this work even with an older horse? Thanks for the videos as well, always informative and full of invaluable information!!! And Happy Easter from Maine!!!

[@victorlarrosa]

👋👋🇺🇾🇺🇾.