Sorry about commandeering the community, but I have so many questions and no idea what I am doing. My question is about the colt starting series. With the neck rope and the snaffle: sometimes you run it through the curb strap and sometimes through the bit. Could you explain what you are looking for in each method, when and why you would use these methods, and when the horse has the concept well enough to move on? I kinda get when the rope is through the bit that we are looking for give and softness to that side, but all I can figure about the strap is that it is a first step to feel and give to the bit. Would like to know what you are thinking and looking for. 

Please and thank you. 😀

QUESTION/SUGGESTION: Could you add an "Equipment List" video or description to each training section/video? Example, in the Magnolia Video 2 you introduce a neck rope and mention it is 1/2" double braided poly but not how long it is.  Not a huge deal but I had to search back to even find the above info. Great program and I appreciate the breakdowns! Thank you.

Hey there! I’m coming back to the B1 program after some time off and am loving all of the series. Just wanted to say thank you for the great content!! Can’t get enough of it and am excited to start using it with one new horse, and tune up the other guys. Thank you again! 

Really enjoyed the rollback videos! I will have to watch those 8-10 more times to sink all the information into my head! I have a couple questions:

1) Did you ever use the fence to help teach or clean up the rollback? I know if you are too close to the fence when you try it you can unbalance your horse and/or lose forward motion. The steps I learned were in the same order: stop, ask direction, open leg, switch pockets. Just wondering your about thoughts and experience. 

2) What point in Caddy's (sp) riding training did you think she was ready? What was she doing well that it was time to take it to the next level?

Richard Boatwright I have a question for you. I watched your videos on teaching a horse to lead properly. I definitely need to work on this with my horse as he is all over the place. I don’t have an arena to work with him and when I do lead him he is always trying to snack on the nearby grass. Will the techniques from your leading video help with stopping him from trying to eat or is there anything else I can do?

Are you guys aware of the Horse Protection Act?  It's a bill that has been passed in the US and it's going to have some serious effects on us and our horses.

Developing ... I bought an ulcer medicine from TSC just to see if it helped my horse. I started slowly (pinches). He has had 3 days of the full maintenance dose and .. I caught him outside on his own 2 times today!! I can't say it is a win because Marshall does have multiple personality disorder, but this is the first time since probably September that he was outside on his own. Hope I found a building block for us!!!

Just in case anyone else on here is wishing that their horse acted like a 'normal horse'. Me and my guy have been struggling with his anxiety and fear. He has free choice to go out or stay in his 20x30 shed and he has not chosen to go out on his own for a while. I will try to update to let you guys know if this change is permanent.

How's the ES20 Rope horse series coming? Looking forward to that one. 

Just for a bit of fun but with an interesting point to make, my good lady today went on a horseback archery tester day, I played groom for the day, her ride today was Flicker, her 27 year old Vanner who only last year converted from English to Western riding, not just tack but also riding method, a forward horse at times and nervous but she has done a few Clinics and has taken to non contact and pressure free riding well having previously been ridden full contact and constantly on the bit. 

All the other attendees were 100% English riders in every way, and not 1 of the 5 others could sit at standstill with no contact on the bit and shoot an arrow without having to mess around with reins and be out of balance, the worst horse was dancing around and bolting. 

If I ever doubted the decision to change our riding style and follow new principals like Richard teaches then today was vindication, other people were saying oh well she is just a relaxed horse and not wanting to acknowledge a different approach makes a difference to a horse that used to be highly strung! 

Now I have to buy her an archery set as she has the bug! 

Hey Richard I have started the 20 days, and have learned a lot.  Looking back at some of the other colts I have started I believe that I clucked and pushed too much and didn't release that pressure fast enough.  Thanks for that lesson.

On another not how long of a rope do you use for the neck rope that you run through the snaffle bit?  And where do you tie the knot for your hand to stop or is it different depending on the horse?