How to Train a 5-Year-Old Stud Horse

Training stallions (stud horses) requires a great deal of equine experience, knowledge and understanding; being able to "read" horses is essential. Stallions are large, intelligent, high-energy animals whose interest in mares and potential for aggression complicate housing and training. Stallions need clear, fair and attentive training that should never be attempted by anyone aggressive or cruel, or too timid. Training methods (pressure and release) are no different for a 5-year-old stallion than they are for any other horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope halter
  • 10-Foot lead
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ask the horse to walk with its head at, not before, your shoulder. Hold the lead with some slack and be prepared to use the slack or your hand to "bump" the horse over if it attempts to crowd your space. Hold the slack of the rope in the other hand. Have this hand outstretched before you; it acts as a guide to keeping the horse's head level with your shoulder as it walks. Carry a short crop in this hand or twirl the rope's slack to ask the horse to move back if it walks too far ahead. Move the horse back immediately; don't let it barge ahead or the correction will be delayed.

    • 2

      Circle the horse around you and move it backward to correct barging. Do this repeatedly until the horse slows down, stops barging and begins to listen to and focus on you. Use advance and retreat to focus it. Stand to one side (never stand directly in front of a horse) and face your horse. Ask it to stand (stop) by raising your hand and saying "wait" or "stand." Back away from the horse a few steps and then ask it to come to you. Ask the horse to back up. Use a crop with a flag or the end of the lead rope to tell your horse to back up if it resists. Repeat this exercise a few times.

    • 3

      Ask for a yield or turn on the haunches. Stand to the side of the horse, facing its shoulder. Touch the horse's side where your leg would cue the horse from the saddle. Add only enough pressure to get the horse to move its hindquarters away from you. Continue asking for this movement until its hind legs cross as it moves its hindquarters away. Repeat this step until the horse yields to a hand gesture without pressure. Note that the step is perfected when the horse yields its hindquarters and faces you as you move around its shoulder.