Tips on Breaking a 3-year-old Horse

Ideally, horse training should begin the moment a foal is born. It is much easier to work with a young foal, and the lessons you teach and socialization you do at that stage will be the foundation for later training. At times, however, early training is not possible. Working with an older horse that has not been extensively handled can be a challenge, but you can do some things to make it easier and safer.

  1. Seek Professional Help

    • If you are an experienced horse person and have trained horses before, you might be able to start a 3-year-old horse on your own, even if that horse has not had much in the way of previous training. But if you are relatively new to handling horses, it is best to seek the advice and assistance of a professional. Working with a full-grown horse that lacks previous training can be dangerous, and having an assistant can keep you safe and make the training you do more effective. You should be heavily involved in the training, especially if it is your horse, but having the assistance of a more experienced horse person is critical.

    Have the Right Equipment

    • You need to have the right equipment at hand before you start working with your 3-year-old horse. A quality rope halter is essential, because it provides a greater level of control than a flat nylon halter. A quality cotton lead rope is important as well. A 15-foot lead rope provides you with good control while allowing the horse the freedom of movement it needs during the training sessions. Look for a lead shank that is easy to grip, and choose one with a large, sturdy brass snap.

    Use a Round Pen

    • Having a small enclosed area to work in helps to focus the attention of the horse on the task at hand. Trying to work in a large area like a pasture or even a large riding ring can be counterproductive, since there are so many distractions for both horse and handler. A round pen is ideal for training young horses, but if you do not have access to one, you can use a small corral or paddock.

    Work Slowly

    • You may have seen horse-training gurus like Pat Parelli and Clinton Anderson transform unbroke 3-year-olds into riding horses in a weekend, but you should not attempt to replicate their work. A lot of behind-the-scenes activity takes place at those weekend clinics, and without that kind of support it is unlikely you will succeed. In fact, trying to rush training on a young horse is more likely to backfire and create a dangerous and unpredictable animal. The best thing you can do when working with any horse, no matter what the age, is to take your time. Slow and consistent work wins out in the end, and you need to adjust your pace to the learning style of the horse. Some horses will pick up a new concept in a matter of minutes, while others may require weeks of careful training to master the same skill.