Kissing Horse Ranch

Good c**t starters are getting harder to find — and that should worry people.

The horse industry is on fire right now. Incentives are growing, big shows are packed, and everyone wants a broke, confident young horse ready to go.

What’s in short supply?
Horsemen who can start one right.

C**t starting isn’t a quick tune-up or a 30-day flip. The foundation and first few rides shape how a horse thinks for the rest of its life. Rush it, cheap out, or put it in the wrong hands, and you’ll spend years trying to fix it — if you ever can.

Every c**t learns differently. Some figure it out quick, others need time. That’s not weakness — that’s horsemanship. The good ones adjust instead of forcing a timeline.

If the c**t starter you want is booked solid, that’s not a problem — that’s a sign. Ask who they trust and wait your turn if you have to. Settling almost always costs more.

Start them when they’re ready. Keep the rides short, clear, and intentional. Give them 90–120 days if you want something that lasts.

And here’s the part people don’t like hearing:
Pay your c**t starter. Pay them well.
It’s not expensive — it’s insurance.

Because those first rides don’t just make a horse — they decide its future. Written by Dusty Harvey **tstarting Wrangler Wrangler Western Ritchie Bros. rodeoinsurance.ca Brown’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Med Team Ty Pozzobon Foundation Tim Cooper Jones Boys Western Wear COVERAGE.BY.COURTNEY Bronc Beer Alberta Boot Company