My personal preference is to let them learn a little speed either working a cow or roping.  They just seem to want to speed up.  But, I want to make sure I have control all the time.  If I didn't have cattle, I'd build speed in all aspects over the course of several months if not years.  Once they have a solid foundation, the speed will come.  It's just a matter of gradually building so that I don't scare them.  Make sense?

I like to work them 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off.  It doesn't always work like that because of weather and other things that get in the way, but that's my aim. 

They look great!  Thanks!

Hi Mckenna, absolutely!  Those gaps can turn into major issues if they haven't already.  The ES20 is designed to expose weak areas and help the horse through them so that he has a firm foundation.  Keep us up to date on your progress.  Richard

Great!  Keep us up to date on his progress here, ok?  As far as him being insecure, just teach him where he's supposed to be and all that will go away.  It starts with leading.  I'll make a video today and put it on the site for you. R

Hi Amy,

Great to hear from you!

I would recommend the ES20 with Neches or Magnolia.  Both will give you a good foundation.   We also have a few more in the works so that folks have several horses to pull from.  They should be ready by Jan 1.

As far as desensitizing goes, I really don't.  I find it makes them dull and I want to avoid that.  It really doesn't help with spooking either.  I much rather spend my time getting a nice handle on my youngster so that if something does spook them, they won't try to leave me.  Just my experience, but a horse that is desensitized to tarps, etc is generally desensitized to a rider too.

How's your colt bred?

Awesome!

I gave him a few tips!😂😂. Had to fire him as a drone pilot though!😂😂

and off your right side on her own.  It's very important that when she gets where she is supposed to be, you totally ignore her.  When you can walk around for 5 or 6 minutes and she doesn't break the rules you can put her away.  Continue this procedure until she will respect your space at all times.  Then take her back to the round pen and start her again with the ES20.  Let me know what happens.  Richard

Hi Anna, Sorry for the late response!  I've been on the road for several weeks.  I'll try to explain this without going too deep down a rabbit hole.  You're 100% right when you say your mare is distracted and insecure and it's because she doesn't know where she's supposed to be.  That's why she crowds you.  This is where I would start:  Get a flag and every time she comes within six feet of you, flag her back.  If she gets real reactive, you might want to go into the round pen.  When she gets out of your space, just walk off and act like nothing happened.  Totally ignore her and just walk off.  If she comes back into your space, flag her back again and walk off again.  Don't even look at her.  When she starts to stay back on her own, stop.  If she keeps moving, flag her back again, then walk off.  When she will stay out of your space and stop when you stop, back up.  If she doesn't back up to stay out of your space, flag, walk off.  Keep this up until she will stay 4-6 feet back