Working Horse World

Scott Daily
Purina Colt Starting Tour

May 2006
Ottawa, KS

I imagine if you were to step back a hundred years and lean on the top rail of a western Nebraska corral to watch a few colts being broke the initial scene might be similar to what I saw last night. There was a distinctive cowboy in chaps, a red shirt, and 100x beaver hat.

His tools were interesting too. They included a bull whip, hobbles and a six-shooter.

What has changed in 100 years?

The bull whip was not for punishment but to get the colt used to loud noises, hissing and loud pops. And if he didn't comply? Shoot him with the six shooter?

No.

Scott was simply shooting off the back of the horse by the end of the session to show the dramatic progress he had accomplished on a green colt.

In the matter of an hour or so, the audience watched this green colt transformed.

"Broke" is not a good word for the process. The horse was never "broken" down in the traditional sense of training.

Instead, we watched a colt's mind grow.

The young horse grew to understand that a saddle and a cowboy on his back were not bad things to reject, but good things to accept.

It does help to start with a colt that has a good mind and is not hot. Not all horses are created alike.

None-the-less, the approach Scott used last night was effective, safe, and a good experience for the horse. Breaking horses 100 years ago was not always a positive experience for the horse, and often left residual resentments that could last a life-time.

I was impressed - as the picture of Scott standing on his newly minted colt demonstrates. What you don't see is what happened to Scott after my flash went off.

Just kidding. The colt never flinched.

Photo Gallery (click on picture for larger version)

Ernie Rodina from Purina introduces everyone	Good crowd	No one is a stranger to Ernie
Todd Wright & Gail Mattern	Brent Wright hosts the event	Brent Wright

Let's talk horses	Let's talk feed	Let's talk tack
Scott starts by getting their attention	The horse needs to pay attention to YOU.	And the horse needs to listen to YOU

The saddle comes next	Then comes TOTAL submission	This is one submissive horse. Don't try this at home
This horse is used to EVERYTHING Scott poses as Indiana Jones with a crack of the bullwhip. (I think he snapped himself in the side)	Shooting a gun off his back? No big deal. Scott did have to replace the side window of the truck, however.	A standing ovation. Scott demonstrates how to remove cobwebs from your arena rafters.

Ernie appreciates good sponsors. This product, explains Ernie, removes stains.	This works so well, it'll take the spots off a dalmation.	Everyone gets a sample