The Process

Over the years, the focus of our training program has evolved. Today, much of our time is devoted to working with broodmares, recipient mares, foals, weanlings, and yearlings. While the horses we train have changed, our guiding philosophy has not: every horse deserves exactly what it needs, every single day.

Sometimes, that means feed, hay, and fresh water. Other days, it means hands-on attention — foaling out, halter breaking, or extra care during key developmental stages. Whatever the day requires, our team is dedicated to ensuring that every mare and foal receives the best possible care and handling.

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We take great pride in our recipient mares — whether they’re part of our own herd or leased through Solo Select Reproduction. Each mare is brought into her own stall daily and handled by our team. This hands-on approach allows us to manage every detail:

• Mineral and feed intake are closely monitored.
• Daily haltering builds calm, consistent behavior.
• Grooming and hoof care ensure comfort and long-term soundness.

Nutrition is a cornerstone of our breeding and training program. We top-dress feed with ADM Grostrong minerals and provide ADM MoorMan’s tubs in the pastures for ongoing support, promoting reproductive health and lactation. Each mare’s grain ration — primarily Purina Ultium Growth — is tailored to her specific needs. Once foaling begins, our mares are offered free-choice alfalfa to enhance milk production and maintain condition.

When mares are within a month of their expected foaling date, they’re kept overnight in 12’ x 24’ stalls and monitored daily for signs of waxing — a clear indicator that a new foal is just hours away.

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When a foal arrives, the first hours are essential. Our team begins a careful imprinting process — giving the foal time to bond with its dam while also introducing gentle human contact. We rub on them, help them stand, and introduce the halter early so that handling feels natural from the start.

Foals and their mothers spend their first week together in private turnout before gradually rejoining the herd. By the time the foals reach about a month old, we complete halter breaking, establishing trust and confidence early on — long before training ever begins.

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After weaning, each youngster goes through what we call “baby boot camp.” During this stage, they learn to tie, bathe, load, and have their feet handled and trimmed. This foundation of respect and responsiveness sets them up for success in any discipline.

Our weanlings and yearlings thrive on free-choice alfalfa, ADM minerals and tubs, and Purina Ultium Growth feed — a program that supports strong bone structure, healthy coats, and ideal weight gain. This consistent nutrition has also proven beneficial for x-ray results and overall soundness.

As our yearlings mature, we carefully evaluate each one: will it be consigned to a sale or retained for training within our own program? Whatever the decision, the goal remains the same — to produce horses that are well-nourished, well-handled, and well-prepared for the next stage of life.

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Whether you purchase a foal in utero, a weanling, a yearling, or a two-year-old in training, you can be confident that every horse from Carpenter Farms has been raised with intention — cared for, trained, and nourished to reach its fullest potential.

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