Tips for Training a Young Horse

I was raised and still live on a farm. My entire life has been spent around farm animals. At a very early age my father taught me how to handle cows, calves, and horses. In addition to the lessons that he taught me he also ensured that I was knowledgeable by sending me for horseback and handling lessons.

Since childhood, I have owned many different horses. Some horses, we have owned purely for breeding purposes. Others, I rode for pleasure or for show. I have had horses professionally trained and I have trained horses myself. I have owned quarter horses, paints, ponies, saddle horses, appaloosas and racking horses. When it comes to horse, I show no biases from one breed to the next.

In my experience, I have found that raising a foal and training it yourself makes for a more devoted riding horse and pet.

I always begin as soon after the foal is born as possible. The first key to meeting a new foal is presence. Just standing at the fence and letting the young foal get used to your company can help a lot.

After the foal seems to not be interested in your presence at the fence, move inside the pasture. A young foal is more willing to investigate something of a small size. Swat down to ground and wait. This position is less imitating for the baby horse. Before long he or she will be sniffing at your head.

Once this acquaintance has been made, slowly begin to rub the young foal. Never use quick or sharp motions that may frighten the baby.

By the time the foal is a few weeks old, he or she should be wearing a halter. Begin by leading the mother around and let the foal follow.

Place a lead line on the foal and again lead both mother and foal. The baby will willingly follow his mother.

After the baby is used to having the lead line attached begin trying to lead him or her without the mother. However, never stray too far from the mother’s presence.

By the time that the foal is one year old, he or she should be ready for light weight. Begin by laying a saddle blanket across its back. The curious foal may turn to investigate and even nip at the blanket.

Next lay a saddle over the blanket. Let the foal get used to hearing the buckles and straps and having them placed under his belly and tightened.

The foal then needs to become accustomed to the idea of having you over or on top of him. Until this point he has only seen you eye to eye on the ground.

Find a location, either next to a board fence or on a bucket or elevation, where you can stand next to horse but be above him.

Before I ever mount a horse, I always ground break first. I feel that a horse should know his commands from the ground before you are on him.

Begin the ground breaking using driving lines hooked to the halter. Make sure that your lines are long enough that you cannot be kicked.

Move behind the horse and begin teaching simple commands like get-up and whoa. Praise the horse when he moves forward or stops at command.

Also teach the command for backing which is usually shhh ,back, shhh, back.

A horse can also be taught on a lunge line. This is where you connect a line to the halter and the horse moves in a circle around you. Teach the horse to respond by the sound of your voice. A long slow command of “walk” lets the horse know that he is to slow down.

When saying command such as jog or lope use a faster pace louder voice.

By the time that the horse reaches 2 years of age, the age most will agree that the horse is ready for a rider, you should have no troubles. Mount your pet and enjoy!