Two colt training classes (both ASci 185T) are offered through the Department of Animal Science and Agricultural Education for students majoring in Animal Science/Equine Science or for any student interested in horses.  Community members may also take the course through Extended Education.

The fall semester colt trainers work with our farm-raised long yearlings, teaching them the basics of good behavior and very early training such as leading, standing tied, being brushed, feet handling, getting bathed and clipped, etc.  They also teach the yearlings to go in both directions at all three gaits in our round corral.  They teach the colts to be saddled and bridled and they start to teach the colts to give to bit pressure.  Some colts are sat on and ridden only very briefly by the end of the semester.  Like the kindergarten of colt training, young horses benefit from this early education and students learn a great deal, mostly from their equine teachers, about behavior and training methods for yearlings.

In the spring semester, more serious training begins.  Now two-year olds, fall semester's yearlings take a refresher course on general handling and good behavior and then move to the larger round corral to learn to move in both directions at faster and slower gaits.  They are saddled, first individually again in the small round corral, and then in groups in the larger round corral and taught to move, in groups and individually, carrying the saddle and learning balance with the saddle at all gaits.  From there its back to the small corral where they are taught to give to bit pressure, turning left and right and a bit of vertical flexion, and learn to move correctly on a circle.  When they are familiar and comfortable with all this, a rider first only pulls himself/herself up on the side of the colt, then lays over the colts back and finally sits up on the colt, who is being held by another student or instructor.  Lots of "pony rides" go on from here until the colt is comfortable with the rider.  From there, riding begins....slowly, cautiously and frequently for short bouts until the colt is going around at all three gaits in the small corral, accepting cues from the rider and gaining strength, balance and confidence.   

Of course, more training goes on from here, but the colt training classes give students real experience with starting colts.  And these skills are somewhat different from techniques usually used with older horses that are already well trained.

Safety of horse and trainer is our highest priority.  All activities are supervised and follow our protocols.  Everyone rides with helmets.

Here's some of what goes in in the spring semester class with two year olds:

This filly has been through fall semester's colt class and is now getting ready for her first rides....

.... getting used to weight and rider...

.....getting used to someone on her side and over her neck...

What you do on one side, you do on the other... handler on ground gives filly confidence.

Starting to move...without being totally on her back.  Rider can just step off if needed.

All the way on...."good girl!"....

Starting to move with rider sitting very still....followed by lots and lots of "pony rides"...

Many rides later, rider is on her own...with help from ground person to encourage filly to go....although not too fast.....

Gaining confidence and starting to lope.  Rider stays out of filly's way as much as possible.  Bridle will be introduced soon, after lots of ground work to teach filly to turn head left and right and give to pressure on bit.

Here's a three-year-old filly.  She's had more training, but the basics are still very important...

Filly softly turns right in response to rein and leg pressure

Turns to left teach filly to go equally on both sides.  Giving the face and neck easily lays the foundation for soft stops and collection as well.

Well done.  Filly is confident and relaxed.  Rider is gentle, clear in her signals and patient.

Some different horses of different ages and types... all just getting started under saddle.  All training is done by students.  Slow and steady.

Fresnos Electra

Fresnos Genevieve

Bonsejour's Juan Carlos

Fresnos Lil Darlin

 Protect your future while riding.... always wear your helmet.

For more information on our colt training classes

contact us by phone at: (559) 278-5623 or (559) 278-4017

or by email:  anne_rodiek@csufresno.edu.

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2385 E. Barstow  · MS AG85
Fresno, CA  93740
559/278-2011 · Fax: 559/278-6998