How to Train a Yearling Horse

When it comes to training horses, you can never start too early. Horses are large animals and it can be extremely difficult to work with a full-grown horse who has not been taught any ground manners. These include standing quietly for his handler, not biting, nipping or kicking, and walking calmly without crowding the handler or walking on him. By working with your horse while he is still small and manageable, you can lay the foundation you will need going forward. By the time your horse is a year old, he should already know how to walk calmly on a lead, stand to be groomed and allow you to work around him with ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope halter
  • Lead rope
  • Saddle
  • Bridle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Work on any deficiencies in your earlier training before you start addressing new skills. If your yearling does not already walk on a lead, stand to be groomed or allow you to take the halter on and off, work on those things first. Approach the horse with the halter and carefully place it on her. Buckle the halter and attach the lead rope, then walk with the horse slightly behind and to your right. If your yearling is already large and powerful, have an assistant help you with the horse. Your assistant can walk alongside the horse and help keep her straight while you work on leading.

    • 2

      Pony your youngster if you can. The term ponying means leading one horse while mounted on another, similar to the process used to load race horses into the starting gate. While this should not be done by beginners, ponying a young horse while mounted on an older and settled horse can do wonders. If you have a steady old trail horse, mount that horse while someone else holds the yearling. Then take the lead rope in your hand and lead the young horse from horseback. Ponying is an excellent training skill for young horses, particularly larger youngsters whose earlier halter training was deficient. Ponying works uses the horse's natural herd instinct. Horses learn their place in the herd from interacting with one another, and leading the young horse from horseback is one of the best ways to stop him from charging ahead, since he will be very reluctant to move ahead of an older and more dominant horse.

    • 3

      Introduce your yearling to the saddle by using an old lightweight saddle. An old English or racing saddle works well for this purpose. Place the saddle on the horse's back and tighten the girth, or strap used to hold the saddle in place, just enough to keep the saddle from sliding around. Allow the horse to stand inside a small area like a corral or round pen. This will let the horse get used to the saddle on her own terms. You do not want your first ride to be the first time the horse has seen a saddle.

    • 4

      Put the bridle on your horse to get him used to the sensation of carrying a bit in his mouth. Remove the reins from the bridle, then place the bit in the horse's mouth and just let him play with it. Be sure to use a mild snaffle, which consists of a jointed mouthpiece and a ring on each side for the reins, for this exercise--avoid shanked bits, which use a longer piece to attach the reins and bits with chin straps tightened under the horse's jaw. Let the horse wear the saddle and bridle for a while to get used to them.