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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How to Use a Loping Hackamore
Justin Briggs likes to use a loping hackamore on colts that have been just started under saddle because it has side nose pressure and chin pressure. This teaches them the pressure they will experience in a curb bit in the future. Justin shows us how to use the hackamore and how it should fit.
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2-Year-Old Expectations
Justin Briggs explains his expectations for a 2-year-old that has 10 days of riding under them. He works on being "square" on the ground by driving them past and giving them a release. Briggs also explains how this drill will help them drive off their hind-end in the future on the barrel patt...
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Finding Wins on 2-Year-Olds
Justin Briggs finds ways to boost a colts confidence by rewarding them for their small wins.
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Developing All-Around Horses
Justin Briggs talks about the typical program at Briggs Performance Horses for developing solid allaround horses through barrel, cow and breakaway roping work.
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Different Levels of Confidence in 2-year-olds
Justin Briggs talks about the importance of reading a colt's level of confidence, or lack thereof, and how it's normal for colts to progress at various speeds.
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Adding Intensity to Drills Off the Pattern
Justin Briggs talks about the importance of adding intensity to simple exercises away from the pattern and the importance of teaching horses about speed transitions.
