Basics with Briggs
Starting your own colts? Justin Briggs has you covered! Learn his bit preferences for young horses, essential drills to prepare them for the barrel pattern, and so much more.
Justin Briggs is a professional horseman renowned for his expertise in colt starting and developing versatile performance horses. Together with his wife, 2021 World Champion barrel racer Jordon Briggs, he operates Briggs Performance Horses in Tolar, Texas. Their program focuses on producing top-tier barrel racing and roping horses by instilling a solid foundation and exposing them to diverse situations early in their training. Justin emphasizes the importance of adaptability in training, often incorporating team roping and working cattle to enhance a horse's focus, rate, and body control. His thoughtful, well-rounded approach prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring that each horse develops the skills and confidence necessary to excel in multiple disciplines.
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About Justin Briggs
Professional horseman Justin Briggs is the rope horse trainer, farrier and colt starter at Briggs Performance Horses. Learn about how Justin got his start and how Jordon and Justin have built their program together through the years.
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Thoughts on Mechanical Hackamores
Justin Briggs shares his thoughts on how riders should adjust when using a mechanical hackamore and how this tool is designed to function.
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Bit Progression
Justin Briggs discusses how he progresses from riding colts in a halter through to the snaffle and curb bits, as well as discussing the bits he uses when heading and heeling on Rollo.
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How To Use Reins
Justin Briggs shows us how to use reins and teach neck reining on a young horse.
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Self-Evaluating Your Riding
Bad habits can evolve when we are trying to win like leg lifts etc... Justin Briggs explains how important it is to self-evaluate yourself and the habits you've created while riding. Watching your own videos can give you insight on what you're sitting correct in the saddle during a barrel run.
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How to Use a Back Cinch
Justin Briggs finds back cinches very important, especially in barrel racing. He introduces a back cinch to a colt very early in his training so they can learn what that pressure feels like.
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Introducing a Curb Bit
Horseman Justin Briggs shows the typical progression of his program as he introduces a 3yearold Mr Cinnamon Roll x Dash Ta Fame to the curb bit.
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Hoof Trimming Basics
Accomplished horseman Justin Briggs shows his method of safely working with a yearling to trim its hooves.
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Hand Position When Riding Colts
Justin Briggs shares his his typical hand position when riding colts and how it translates later to riding finished rope and barrel horses.
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Develop a Relationship with Your Colt
Professional trainer Justin Briggs answers the question of what type of personality he looks for in a prospect and how personality is molded by a thoughtful training approach.
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Using Your Hands and Feet Correctly When Riding Colts
Professional horseman Justin Briggs demonstrates the degree to which he uses his hands, feet and spurs in coordination to achieve a broke, balanced horse that responds well to his cues.
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Laying the Foundation for Rate and Stop
Professional horseman Justin Briggs demonstrates how to set the proper foundation in place for rate and stop on a prospect.
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How to Approach Sensitive Colts
Professional horseman Justin Briggs answers the question posed by a viewer as to how he approaches a hypersenstive colt.
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The Importance of Safety and Knowing Your Limits
Accomplished horseman Justin Briggs explains the importance of staying safe and protecting your investment when starting colts.
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How the Start Translates to Competition and Handling Pressure
Professional horseman Justin Briggs discusses how and why he has developed a method of starting colts that doesn't rely upon training through fatigue.
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Round Pen Philosophy
Professional horseman Justin Briggs talks about his round pen philosophy when starting colts and how to use the round pen as a tool and not a crutch.
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Moving the Feet First
Professional horseman Justin Briggs demonstrates his method of establishing steering on the end of the halter rope by moving his 2-year-old's feet and keeping the colt's attention focused.
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Staying Safe on Day 1 with a Fractious 2-year-old
Professional horse trainer Justin Briggs demos his ground work process for the first saddling of an energetic 2yearold.
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Focusing a Colt's Attention vs. Getting One Overly Tired
The difference between training a horse to be truly broke as opposed to fatigued, and why Justin Briggs thinks it's important to avoid the latter.
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Snaffle Preference
Justin Briggs talks about the style of snaffle bits that have produced the best results for his program.
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Using the Halter and Snaffle Together
Professional trainer Justin Briggs explains his progression of halter to snaffle and how he uses them in tandem to achieve a better feel on his colts.
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How to Warm Up a 3-Year-Old
Justin Briggs explains how he warms up a 3-year-old and emphasizes the importance of keeping their feet moving. He starts by trotting them around and ensuring the horse is paying attention to the rider.
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Forward Turnaround Drill
Justin Briggs explains how to use a forward turnaround drill on a young horse loping around too flat and disengaged.
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Hand Position on Colts
Justin Briggs explains where his hand placement is on split reins and why.