Professional horseman and BarrelRacing.com trainer Justin Briggs answers a question regarding the type of personality he prefers in a performance prospect.
Question: What’s the No. 1 thing you want to see in a colt personality-wise? And on the other side of the coin, what’s the No. 1 thing you want to stay away from? — via The Barrel Racer Facebook Group
Briggs: “We had a question about what kind of personality I look for in a colt. I think that’s developed. It’s a hard question because say I’m at a horse sale, all I’ve got to go on really is conformation and papers. Eye and look too, but sometimes you’ve just got to go on structure and conformation and try to see what they could be, but personality is a hard one to identify because I think they develop personality based on you.
“I don’t necessarily think you can look for personality because that’s something you develop with them when you work with them. If you have a good, easy-going personality they’re probably going to become more easy-going. If you’re harsh to a colt they could be the most kind thing when you got them and odds are they’re going to turn into a harsh, hateful colt. Conformation first, papers second and then build a relationship with them.”
[Read: Winning Combo: Justin and Jordon Briggs on Raising Rope and Barrel Horses]
To follow Justin Briggs as he works with yearlings, 2- and 3-year-olds check out his extensive colt starting series, which began rolling out in May on BarrelRacing.com. Email [email protected] with questions you’d like answered by leading equine professionals.
