Arrowsmith Equestrian

01/24/2026

This has been on my mind recently with the consistent posts written and shared by a trainer which has been making waves.
He 100% has some valid points that are true in every way. The issue I’m having with this are. He accompanies every post with a picture of him on the back of a horse honking, while he pulls on both reins, or one hand on his night latch and the other lifting on the halter, all while most the horses are wearing the biggest fattest softest halters, which gives the horse something to lean on with zero thought on giving to the pressure, nor not a whole lot of effort on his part to disengage the hind end to put a stop to the “show”. More like teaching them to resist and lean to pressure. Which he preaches is very important and key, 100% true, but why not practise what you preach?
He carries on to say c**t starting is the most important part to a horse’s future, also true. If it’s so important then why would you offer getting on anything and everything with a guarantee walk, trot, lope in the first session? Yet preaches more so on how anything less than a 30 day start does nothing. How exactly is offering one ride starts following his statement regarding giving a solid foundation? That in no way will give a good experience to the horse you only just met, no time to prep it for a successful first ride and experience. It offers a very rushed session that more than likely be a negative anxiety ridden experience for the horse, some horses will react different to his approach so this isn’t valid across every horse. Some people may love his style. Each to their own. Be prepared for a future full of resistance and reactivity.
It’s more a “look at me” attitude for willingly riding a Bronc. No education or establishing a foundation what so ever. The whole mentality of some people saying “sometimes you just gotta get on and get it done”, is bu****it. If that’s what you feel needs to be done on young horses then you have no right to be working young horses.
If the horse is showing insecurity and lack of confidence then step back and build the confidence up, get their body parts softer and their mind on the task. The feet are connected to the brain, fast feet, fast brain. Slow it all down! Your success rate will be far better and the horse will be in a much better mind set. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
I don’t know this trainer personally, from what I’m reading/watching on the posts of his clinics to what he preaches don’t match up.
It’s an accident waiting to happen. Throw pride to the wayside and be humble and put the horse first not your ego.
I’ve made that mistake fairly recently. I haven’t been going to clients properties to put rides on horses for the past couple years since most times things have been missed and I don’t have the time to build a connection with the horse to increase the chance of success.
However, I made an acceptation on this occasion since it was a longtime friend’s client horse, and they were fresh off an injury so I wanted to lend a hand. I worked the horse on the ground a bit and it was decent enough but not where I would like it to be prior to climbing on, since it was very stiff and resistant on the right side. This horse had a history of bolting primarily when you pick up on the right rein.
Well, I didn’t stick to my program and say, I’ll come back and work at getting the horse to what I expect before climbing on, if it wouldn’t improve I’d suggest that the owner should get rads done to check for any issues in the neck and back causing discomfort on the right.
Instead, I wound up getting yet another concussion that has been the longest one to heal from.
What should I have done? I should not have let my old self take over and have my pride over step my decision’s. I should have stepped back and stuck to my program and established a better connection with the horse and build its confidence before climbing on, to eliminate the percentage of what the outcome ultimately was.
What does that have to do with everything above?
Rushing things with horses is the unknown, sometimes they can take it, sometimes they crumble. But, it’s guaranteed to not give the horse a fighting chance at being successful and having a relaxed confidence inspired experience. What this trainer preaches and what he shares, contradicts what he practices.
To end this rant off, don’t preach what you don’t practise, put the horse’s experience first especially when c**t starting. You are the one carving out its future for success. You owe it to the horse to not be prideful, stay humble, listen to the horse, learn from them. At the end of the day they are the one ultimately paying the price for your pride and ego influencing your training. Horses have the biggest heart and they try their ass off for your own hobby. Don’t take the chance of breaking their big, soft hearts we all love. You can try and heal it over time but the damage is done and will always remain a memory for them.
When it comes to sending your horse to be started, think about what future you have your heart set on with your horse, choose a trainer that aligns with your goals.
Remember, no matter the discipline, dressage, jumping, roping, reining, cutting, etc. they all share the exact foundation. Without a solid one your future goals will be more challenging to reach with more frustrations and lows, than one of a horse that had a foundation built from humble origins.

- Jared Phye

01/18/2026

Emmett is really settling into his secondary job of helping teach young horses to move off pressure and focus on the task at hand instead of the outside worlds distractions.
He’s a dang cool horse, he will be a tough one to see go if the right home comes around, Or….. he may have to stay, it’s hard to come by horses that have such great brains, have good scope but also can handle working young horses, and anything else we need to ask of him.

Escape Z x Indorado

01/18/2026

01/18/2026

Beautiful January day to work some young horses.

Herman- 3yr old, Nesquick TN x Futurist
Emmett-5yr old, Escape Z x Indorado

Lytton- Client horse

01/07/2026

When you’re in need of a pony horse ASAP but all the quarter horses are babies or to small to handle the big youngsters, you pull out our shortest, strongest, and reliable little jumper with the biggest heart you have and start teaching him a secondary job.
Oh and this fella is For Sale as well, He can do anything and happy to do it.
5 yrs old 15.3 by Escape Z out of an Indorado mare.

01/02/2026

Lytton was happy to go back to work after a short break

11/09/2025

Fall is the perfect time for preschool for the 2 year olds.

This year's 2 year olds seem to have the theme "many shades of bay" 😊

10/21/2025

This!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CE4JDyBvo/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 — 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫

It’s no secret the equine industry is booming. Between the explosion of incentive programs and more major horse shows than ever before, the demand for well-started, confident young horses has skyrocketed. Leading riders are traveling now more than ever - escalating the value exponentially solid c**t starting programs.

Yet, there’s one part of the equation that seems to be in short supply — experienced c**t starters.

If you’re new to the business or simply preparing to show one you’ve raised for the first time, our advice is twofold:

Feed them well.
Find a horse trainer you trust and want to invest in.

But here’s the vital piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: the c**t starting.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝟑𝟎-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

This isn’t a quick-fix job, no matter how much we wish it could be. Every c**t is an individual. What one horse may figure out in a day might take another 30 days to understand — and that’s not a reflection of the trainer or the horse. A true horseman knows the difference and adjusts accordingly.

Too many people still throw around the phrase “just starting” like it’s no big deal. Truth is, that mindset can make or break a young prospect. The foundation built (or not built) in those first 30 days will follow that horse for the rest of its life.

So here’s our first piece of advice: Don’t discount this step.
The professionals who dedicate their lives to starting performance prospects are worth every single dollar they charge — and then some.

𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥, 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜

It’s a good problem to have when the trainer you want to use is booked solid. But instead of settling for “whoever’s available,” ask that trainer who they recommend. Many top horsemen have other professionals they trust to start horses for their own programs. That insight is gold — take it.

And once your c**t is with the c**t starter and then the trainer, remember to communicate. Listen to their evaluation. This is your first “progress report” of the year. Pay attention to what they say, don't be offended or defensive — listen to where your horse excels, where it struggles, and how it learns. That feedback helps you make better decisions moving forward in their careers.

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧

We’ll say it again: this isn’t a 30-day miracle job. If you want your horse to be confident, consistent, and set up for a lifetime of success, plan to leave them for at least 90 to 120 days.

With so many leading trainers constantly traveling for major events, your young horse will benefit from being with someone who’s consistent, patient, and hands-on when it counts the most.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭

Here’s the elephant in the room: When should you start your c**t?

Most professional c**t starters will tell you — the sooner, the better. Young horses, much like teenagers, go through what we call a “sponge stage.” They crave stimulation and learning. Not because they want to get into trouble, but because their minds are searching for something to do.

For some c**ts, that phase comes around 18 months. For others, closer to 24. The best approach? Let your horse, veterinarian, and trainer guide the timing together.

And remember — in a professional c**t starting program with horseman, these horses aren’t being worked hard or long. Sessions are short and intentional — 10 to 20 minutes focused on confidence, clarity, and communication. The goal is to set them up for a lifetime of success, right at the moment when they’re most open to learning.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬

The truth is simple: The industry needs more skilled c**t starters — and more owners who understand their value. If you’re investing the time, money, and heart into breeding or buying a performance horse, don’t cut corners at the very start of their journey.

For the love of all things holy... Pay them. Pay them well. In the long run it will be the best money you have spent. Ever. Guaranteed. You will lose less time. They won't go 10 step forward to go 20 steps back.

Feed them right.
Trust the process.
Find a horseman who believes in setting a foundation, not rushing a result.

Because those first rides don’t just make a horse — they make a future.

Pictured: Our C**t Starting Magician - David Neason of A Texas Cowboy & The Everyday Horseman Community

10/11/2025

We would like to wish Kheyote, and his owner, all the best in their future, after learning more skills with us the last couple months.

08/24/2025

Gotta love a calm, willing, sponge of a brain on youngsters. We got this 2 year old two weeks ago. You couldn’t catch him, he was scared of people, and never had his feet done but, you could tell he wanted to trust you but didn’t know how.
Two weeks later, he is the sweetest, relaxing, people loving horse. He got his feet trimmed up this past week and was a champ, he gets baths and handled daily. On his second session ever in the round pen he answered every question I asked. He even got his first little ride under his belt. Patients, softness and consistency always reward you in the end.

08/08/2025

Congratulations to the new owner of Dori. Wishing her all the best moving cows back in Alberta.