About Our Program

Students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in the Principles of Training Horses class are given a young horse to train under the careful supervision of our program director, Nathan O'Connor. There is also an opportunity to take the second year of this course, Principles of Training Horses II, where students are given more freedom to train independently. These students previously completed the Intro to Equine Equitation & Advanced Western Horsemanship courses as prerequisites to the Colts In Training Program (Principles of Training Horses). The Colts In Training Program focuses on the study and application of the principles and techniques used to gentle and train the young horse under saddle. Emphasis is placed on relaxation, forward movement, willingness and the development of soft responses to the natural aids. Colt training students are responsible for all day to day care of the horses in the program. In addition, students help create a marketing campaign by compiling sale videos & capturing quality sale photos.

2024 Classes

1st Year Monday/Wednesday Lab

1st Year Tuesday/Thursday Lab

2nd Year

Program Director

Nathan O'Connor

UWRF Animal and Food Science Department

(715) 425-4759

nathan.h.oconnor@uwrf.edu

207C Agricultural Science Building

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Student Sales Managers

Our sales managers are responsible for managing and enhancing the program's online presence and marketing efforts. This includes regularly updating Facebook and Instagram pages with engaging and informative content while ensuring the website displays up-to-date and correct information. The role involves collaborating with students to produce high-quality sale photos and videos that effectively showcase the horses. Additionally, the sales managers develop and execute creative advertising campaigns across social media platforms and print media. They are also tasked with creating detailed sales catalogs by compiling pedigree research and crafting compelling sales write-ups. This position requires a blend of marketing expertise, content creation skills and organizational abilities to promote the program and university effectively.

Sales Manager

Morgan Delaney

"I am a third year student studying Animal Science. I grew up competing with my horses in WSCA & 4-H, primarily focusing on speed events. In 4H, I was a part of my county's Hippology, Horse Judging and Speech & Demo team. Through these, I competed in many State 4H Horse Shows and was able to travel and compete across the country representing Minnesota 4H! After graduating this spring, I plan on further pursing my passion for animal nutrition, by working in the industry or continuing my studies into a masters program."

Assistant Sales Manager

First Last

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Teacher's Assistants

Our teacher’s assistants play a vital role in supporting both Nathan and our students to ensure the smooth operation of the program. These students have completed the Principles of Training Horses I class and their responsibilities include assisting during training sessions by helping to set up equipment, managing horses and supporting student activities to maintain a safe and efficient learning environment. They provide guidance and support to students, answering questions, offering feedback and reinforcing training techniques presented in lab.

Mon/Wed Lab TA

Levi Dulmes

"I am a senior at UWRF majoring in Animal Science with an Equine Management Emphasis and an Agricultural Business Minor. I grew up riding gymkhana, joined the UWRF IHSA Hunt Seat team my freshman year, and started taking cow horse lessons this last year with the goal of showing cow horse shows this summer! After I graduate, I plan to either intern under additional trainers or start working within Equine/Feed sales."

Tue/Thu Lab TA

Rachel Hammes

"I am a senior majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis in equine management. I have been riding and showing in English and western for about 10 years. During my time at UWRF I have been a member of the Ranch Horse Team with my personal horse, Boone, in which we have worked on ranch riding, basic reining and western horsemanship, and cow work! After graduation I hope to pursue anything that involves working with horses, more specifically training and colt starting, or wrangling and adventuring somewhere out West!"

2025 Students

Photos to be posted in February.

History

The UWRF Colts in Training program was founded in 1972 by renowned

horseman Jack Brainard along with Jim Dollahon. During its early years,

the Colts in Training class yielded successful results in developing both

the young stock and students.

In 1976, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls began opening its doors

each spring for an annual Colts in Training Sale. During the sale, buyers

are granted a rare opportunity to confidently purchase a well started,

quality stock horse in a trusted atmosphere.

For many years, students worked under the instruction and guidance of Larry Kasten. Kasten strived towards further development of the training program and is a lifelong equine industry professional. After his successful development of the program over many years, Nathan O’Connor was selected to take Kasten’s place upon retirement.

Today

Nathan O’Connor is an accomplished horseman. He has many years of experience in producing, training, and showing horses. His accomplishments and experience in the equine industry are valuable to students as they grow under his guidance throughout the semester. Students enrolled in the program are responsible for the care, training and marketing of their assigned colt throughout the progression of the semester. It is a unique opportunity that few would be granted without the college offering such a course.

Students develop a solid fundamental understanding of how to handle young horses in a safe and professional manner. As a result of the program's solid foundation and huge success, it continues to prove itself as the top and first program of its kind in the country. Renowned breeders send their young stock to the program. The combination of quality livestock and expert guidance allows students to produce high-end prospects by the end of the semester. Both local and international buyers are satisfied, and students gain lasting knowledge of the training and marketing industry.

UWRF Colts In Training