Foals and yearlings With the fi rst 6 months of a foal’s life spent by its
mother’s side, human interaction is not typically a pri- ority. Things change at weaning, with nutrition, care and the early stages of training becoming important. Kris Wilson, manager of Silver Spur Ranches, New Mexico Division, which includes the Bell Ranch near Tucumcari and TO Ranch near Raton, advocates de- voting the proper time and effort to providing foals a solid start. Wilson is a member of Silver Spur’s team devoted to producing the ideal ranch horse. Approxi- mately 50 broodmares, which he refers to as cow-bred types, produce horses that are well suited to Silver Spur Ranch’s diverse ranch country in 4 states (New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming). “Our colts are born and reared in big pastures, so
human involvement is minimal until we wean and start halter breaking,” says Wilson. “When we fi rst wean our colts, we keep them close to the barn for a month or two to get them used to people and activ- ity. Our [breeding program produces] horses that are gentle and smart, so it doesn’t take much, but we do quite a bit of ground work while we are halter break- ing and it makes for less time when we start [them] under saddle.” Nutrition and care are also important to ranches
with broodmare programs and Silver Spur devotes important resources to a foal’s physical development. “We have a nutritionally balanced ration developed
for our colts that is self-fed from weaning until they are yearlings,” says Wilson. “We also deworm 3 to 4 times during their fi rst year of life.” After weaning and halter breaking, many argue that
colts grow up best in wide-open spaces where they’ll spend crucial time among rocks, hills and creeks. Wilson is such an advocate. “I think it is important to turn them back out in
the rocks to develop their feet and legs,” he says. It’s also important, especially for colts that may have lived their fi rst year in traps or small pastures, to grow and play in the larger and rougher expanses where they’ll become familiar with creeks, brush, rocks and other features before they’re required to pack a rider in a similar environment. While all the work and invest-
86 The Cattleman November 2016
ment during the colt’s fi rst 24 months has, it is hoped, laid a solid foundation, the next phase in the colt’s life may be the most crucial.
Starting them right Bob Kilmer, manager of the Matador Ranch in
northwest Texas, believes such a foundation is para- mount for starting a 2-year-old colt under saddle. In 2000, Matador began revamping their horse program by growing their broodmare band to produce ranch horses with emphases on conformation, athleticism and, most importantly, safety. Their work paid off when they were named the 2013 recipient of the Ameri- can Quarter Horse Association’s Best Remuda Award. Matador decided to seek help with their 2-year-olds beginning in 2003. “Starting them right is the key and we were ac-
quainted with Rod Smith and Jeff Williams, so we de- cided to take a few colts to them,” says Kilmer. “We’ve taken our colts to them ever since because they start the colts right by putting that foundation in them. Their program works well for Matador Ranch.”
Old school with a modern twist Williams and Smith operate their colt-starting busi-
ness on the edge of the Caprock Escarpment near Post. There, they start colts for noted ranch horse programs in Texas and elsewhere. Besides Matador, their ranch clients have included Muleshoe Ranch, Haythorn Land and Cattle Company, Spur Headquarters Ranch, and Beggs Cattle Company. King Ranch became a client in 2015. While many of the colts they start for these ranches
go back to a cowboy’s string, many are consigned to one of several popular ranch horse sales, including the Western Heritage Classic Ranch Horse Sale held each May in Abilene; Caprock Ranchers Sale and Futurity in July in Levelland; and the Return to the Remuda Sale in October at 1 of 4 participating ranches. Williams and Smith know how to use limited time — typically 90 days — to develop the traits that buyers are looking for in a 2-year-old colt. With both men in their 50s, and with up to 25 colts at their facility, the men employ the help of younger
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