36 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2016
brand name is respected in riding
circles. "Riding is entertainment for
most folks out west," said Brinkman.
"They don't go to the mall or the
movie house. They ride."
New colts are scrutinized and some
are selected to join a small group that
might become studs. Mares are often
purchased to keep bloodlines fresh,
but better Pitzer fillies are kept around
to breed one day. Certain physiques
and personality make the cut, but
trainability trumps physical qualities.
As in people, the best athlete in the
world must train well to perform at
an elite level. Breeding for color is a
factor, too; buckskin, roan, palomino
and gray are current best sellers.
Contrary to typical western movie
scenes, training is a loving process.
Foals have first human contact at three
to four months old when they are
caught and led around the training pen
for 20 minutes. Other than occasional
hoof trimmings, this is their only close
human interaction for two years, which
is when school begins.
All new horses get the same start.
Standing in the center of a small round
pen, the trainer urges the horse to run
perimeter circles. The horse first learns
to "WHOA!" as the trainer throws his
arms up and cuts off the horse's path.
Once the stop command is understood,
the next stages follow with much
petting and rest in between. Trained
in sequence to tolerate a halter, then a
saddle blanket, a saddle, and finally a
Days old and innocent, this youngster ventured too close to the cameraman. Mother is
coming to nudge him away . . . repeatedly.
