Hello - I am not a horse trainer by profession but I do believe I’m training to some degree all the time (for good or bad lol). I just got my first yearling - well I guess he turned 2 today - but I was curious to know what you think is helpful for a client to have done with their horse before having them started under saddle? And what things would you rather the client not mess with at all? I’m excited to learn with my colt but also don’t want to make a mess of things. Thanks and Happy New Year!

Hey Richard!

I just wanted to share some wins. I’m a friend of JT Timmons and also one of his clients—he’s the one who told me about your program. I think he was about to fire me because my horses were not great at standing still for him. 😅

So much of horsemanship isn’t explained well. Even after riding for 30 years, I realized I just needed someone to clearly explain what to look for and how to get a horse there with me mentally. It’s not rocket science, but there are lessons that need to be scaffolded for the horse/trainer, and I don’t think many horsemen explain those concepts clearly. Your program has filled in a lot of holes I was never taught.

I’m thrilled to say my horses now stand quietly (and JT hasn’t fired me). But the biggest win was yesterday: a Thoroughbred gelding (who has done upper level eventing) who used to spin badly on the trail when riding alone—very buddy sour, lots of tension—after putting him through 15 days of round pen and long lining work- went out for a quiet three-mile ride. No tension, stayed between two reins, completely content. If that’s not a win, I don’t know what is.  

I ride mostly Thoroughbreds, and the stress, tension, and “dullness to the aids” they come off the track with is real. I truly think your program is a must for anyone with an OTTB—it teaches softness and makes them genuinely rideable. And let’s be honest… it’s no fun not being able to turn a horse going 30 miles an hour.

I’ve also got three youngsters that I finally feel confident starting, and my 12 year old daughter is having an absolute blast teaching her Quarter Horse your program. 

Just a lot of wins over here, and I wanted to send my gratitude. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you someday.

happy new year!

Conoly Sullivan 

Eremos Farm

Been a while since I rambled on with a stable update…. What a year 2025 has been, after several years of calm and consistent stabling it’s all changed and two moves later we seem to have got settled in new dig for the horses.

Losing ground for my round pen has been a massive minus to the whole situation and I miss it every day.

We had to let Sid go but he’s found a great home showing and he’s qualified for The horse of the year show and my next riding project big Stan has had to go, I am truly devastated to see him go as he was just nicely broken by me and coming on well, he’s gone to a riding school and is loved by everyone! 

The 4 stalwarts are doing ok, and we have got back out riding again after months off during the turmoil.

This is where I will probably sign off for a period of time as unfortunately just before Xmas I was rushed into hospital with an eye problem that will require surgery soon and as a result I won’t be able to use screens or drive for quite a while or ride as it recovers and they see if it has worked! 

Bed ridden for several weeks and not able to work, I will go crazy

So I wish everyone a fantastic start to the new year and hope 2026 is a cracker 

Final big thanks to Richard Boatwright, your videos and instruction is second to none and your an inspiration my friend, keep at it 

merry chrismass happy new year from brittany in france 

Merry Christmas to you all wherever you are in the world. 

I wish you all the best for 2026, stay safe and out of the dirt!  

Gday Richard, Ben from New Zealand here hope all is well. There use to be a video on how to get your horse turning naturally on the hind quarters, it may still be there but I can’t find it. I was wondering if you might be able to direct me to it please or if you had time post another video on it . I found it really helpful and would love to watch it again . Cheers Ben 

Hey guys,  I hope y'all are well and having a nice holiday season.  Richard

@richardboatwright I've been working with my three year old rescue filly, using the twenty day program with Luna. We are up to day seven now.. she will take absolutely anything I give her to do, but my goodness she will not move her feet unless it's first thing in the morning or a bit chilly outside.The flag worked for the first 2 days, but I can shake that flag with everything that's in me and she'll just look at it.It doesn't bother her whatsoever. Another day, twirling a rope made her move.But only that one day. Slapping my leg, clucking, smooching, nothing she'll just walk over to me. Yesterday I had put the long drive reins on her, and she responded quite well to that as far as turning her head with the slightest bit of pressure applied.But she did it from pretty much standing still.  My farrier says she's extremely lazy I might as well just get on her now hahaha any other suggestions for how I can actually get her moving on a consistent basis?It does get tempting to just get on her ...

Hey Richard Boatwright I’m bringing my 3rd colt through your program and he seems to be a lot different. He wants to stall up and freeze under pressure (rather than move feet). This became a problem the second time I got on him… he didn’t want to move his feet with a cluck and smooch so I tapped with feet and he took off and started bucking. 

Does he just need more forward motion in ground work before I get on him again?

And how to regain confidence. Thank you. 

I would like some videos or input on how to fix a super good well rounded horse with one issue when you cinch up saddle he bucks for few minutes everytime  once he stops he is the best horse and you dont have to worry about him bucking or doing anything until the next time you cinch his saddle down again doesn't matter if your out on him for 10 hours once saddle comes off when it goes back on again and you cinch it he will buck for a few minutes then good to go for the day.