Hanging with Matt | Untouched Yearlings & Preparing for the Biggest Reining Show of 2023!

Taking you behind the scenes of the training methods and mindset I have when preparing my horses for the NRHA Futurity!
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#mattmillsreining #horses #horsetraining #reining

[@TheHarper11]

Would love to see the progress for both yearlings. From start to finish and their first show or something. I would watch every episode. Thanks Matt.

[@ralphcraft2014]

😅

[@pnhnut]

probably best he stick to riding and let the professionals bring along these colts...

[@charlenesterken2604]

it is so nice to see you back on social media ,I missed you

[@LaurenMarsh497]

Got to admit, I’ve never met a bad palomino 😊. They’ve always been so genuine. Would love to get my event horses long, low and round like that. It’s beautiful ❤

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again MATT A wild child and a chill one! Should be fun! Apache's is a beauty for sure. A Stoney kiddo is another beauty too. How wonderful for you to be surrounded by such quality horses with amazing futures... Looking forward to a vid with more of Raven and you. He's looking really healthy and in nice condition as he's grown. Hoping all the showing you have left for the year goes good for ya. Thx as always and great having you back here a bit more.

[@janicedorsey3945]

Can hardly wait to watch the progress on the babies. Yea babies‼️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@christiegamel7704]

Can't wait to see how this colt breaking is gonna go down! This is going to be a great transformation from unhandled to champion!

[@jeannettegiles5869]

Little sorrel is a handful now, little white around his eyes. Bet he still makes a great horse, buckskin maybe won’t try you right away. Hope you are liking Texas. Duke is so nice. What a good boy. Even fresh. Good looking babies💕🎄

[@charlenesterken2604]

raven looks awesome

[@casdragon_5939]

It's interesting that they aren't even ground broke yet; where I'm at, yearlings are expected to be completely handleable by the time they're a year old.

[@mattmillsreining1]

Ya it’s very interesting. Not the norm for me But I keep it real. I don’t need them completely broke lol but better than this for sure. The good thing is I know a guy…

[@minderellafox7906]

Please keep us updated on these 😁🤞🏽

[@nancysimpson4246]

Beautiful horses love watching this video very knowledgeable😊

[@Nutmeg142]

They are so little! My Friesian yearling is already well over 15hh and my TWH gelding is 17.2hh. I’m not used to seeing little horses anymore.

[@mattmillsreining1]

All this height shaming!

[@Craftress]

From a non-horse person, with very limited knowledge of horses, could you explain why your horses carry their heads so low as well as why Duke, even with a loose rein, was gaping his mouth? I also thought he seemed to drag his right hind when you entered the ring, but that could just be the depth of "dirt?" in the ring. Also, what is that maneuver called when the horse stops like that? I used to have dreams of doing that and in my dreams it was called "skating." By the way, this is just the second video of yours ive watched so if its been explained before, i do apologize ahead of time. Gorgeous horses you have. Thanks in advance for your answers.

[@antoniorobles7917]

Let me know Mr. Mills, I’m more than willing to get those yearlings nice and quiet for you 🫡

[@Mcflynerdyguy]

Curious if somebody can answer a question for me- why aren’t reining horses allowed to have their heads up? I show cutting horses and have understood this, thanks

[@stephneygreen]

I would cuddle all foals haha so they would be annoyed and halter broke😍. Are they turned out when they are not alter broke? Looks like he is bored now in stalling and has some energy, pasture / paddock possibilities for all horses are essential🧡 I see ours when we occasionally letting them on the pasture in winter when it's not too icy or muddy. They are running around playing like foals and they are over 20. And no, they never hurt themselves when everything is safe. The paddock and 4x a week training are not enough for them in winter

[@tycox2444]

Matt do you use the same bridle, bit and reins at the Show that you use at home training? How often do you guys harrow your arena?

[@mattmillsreining1]

I do use the same bit and reins, change to a silver headstall at shows. We drag our arena 1-3 times a day

[@robynmorris7945]

Duke sure has his mouth open a lot.

[@mattmillsreining1]

Yes he does

[@calista1280]

​@mattmillsreining1 😮Well do something to correct it! SMH You have a hard, high, busy tugging hand and need to lower your hand to loosen the reins on this poor guy... Is it a high curb bit? He doesn't need it and its hurting him!

[@mattmillsreining1]

Let me see some video of you so I can learn how it’s done please

[@KBRanch83]

Do you allow facility tours?

[@HerveySosa-py5le]

I have a question is it necessary to use bit hobbles on shank bits i have bought bits that already have them on so i leave them on and others that dont and i dont bother puttin them on do to the fact that it would keep from the bit working properly if it needed them on they would cone with it on

[@-angie.]

What is the purpose of their heads being kept constantly lowered? That position and the way they're reacting to the bit looks very uncomfortable for them.

[@kellyriley7918]

Do your research This gets brought up again and again. These horses are built to carry their necks lower. All horses are built differently but when you breed in a certain line they are built to keep their head down and will naturally do it. I have a quarter horse that carries his head higher and is a cow horse, Again just different breeding.

[@fitchery9315]

It's interesting isn't it. The horses are ridden around way behind-the-vertical with constant bumping and harassment and get released to stretch down into it. So they pick way, way down if that's their option. This level of hyperflexion is physiologically dangerous and it's not as if the horses can't feel it. Gaping mouths and horrible pained faces. It's very obviously far away from any neutral posture but we get told over and over it's how they're built. Going around in rolkur is not how the horses are built.

[@-angie.]

@@fitchery9315, it breaks my heart. I feel the same way about some of the methods used on Tennessee Walkers.

[@cathycoffman5479]

Palomino colt has mouth open most of the time

[@ruthannhowell9625]

Do ur research man it's still abuse but they don't see that these poor horses my heart hoes out to them

[@kristiwetsel9531]

Leave it to the chestnut to be foolish 😂

[@mattmillsreining1]

😂😂

[@johnalcorn2967]

if you have a place for me to sleep i can help...LOL

[@calista1280]

I hope you watch these videos back... I don't know whether the bit is in the wrong place or it's the wrong bit for this horse But it does seem like you pull too much, too often and overbend him, so he can only gape his mouth to escape the harsh pressure. Lower your hand and trust him more! His head is carried too low, and he's behind the vertical, right from the get go. Which puts all his weight on the forehand, so It just looks like you're making it harder for him to do what you're asking of him. Using a lighter hand, loose reins, less fussing with his mouth & more leg could help make it look more effortless. Slow down a d let him do the turn aroumds correctly, the speed is still there. Let the muscle memory develop I had to stop watching because of the pain you're causing him! 😮‍💨

[@mattmillsreining1]

Thank you for taking the time for such a lengthy response! I appreciate it. You make a lot of assumptions about me and my horse off of a short video.

[@karenmoreau4589]

Having followed this sport for over 50 years and never relying on one short video of any one competitor to prove our points, we find it shameful these animals are under such terrible strain. Will be a genuinely miraculous day when all these competitions/wins will be achieved bitless, with normal/natural body set. So many of the great vets/horse masters now agreeing that these extreme body positions are harmful - looking forward to future true natural horsemanship across the board. We are finding great joy in following the new generation of natural hormanship champions achieving victory after victory in this competition and all others. Financial backing and interest for these natural classes is tremendous and exciting, with no limit in sight. Imagine the day, all will ride naturally and bitless/bridleless! Congrats on your big wins, high end facilities and notariety. We pray for your continued success Matt and know you will do well. Have fun. Best wishes.

[@charlenesterken2604]

white eyed red head ,you might have your hands full with him .scared baby

[@charlenesterken2604]

he wants to drift out of the spin spot