How to Train a Farm Horse to Work

Horses can provide a farmer with an economical alternative to expensive gasoline or diesel-consuming mechanical equipment. A good draft horse can work steadily for up to eight hours a day and haul the machinery necessary to do many of the tasks needed on a farm. Training is the key to a good working farm horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Round Pen
  • Surcingle
  • Training Harness
  • Bridle
  • Bit
  • Halter
  • Training Sled
  • Experienced Farm Horse(s)
  • Wagon
  • Cart
  • Whip
  • Work Harness
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Instructions

  1. How to train a farm horse to work

    • 1

      Train the horse in the round pen until it will go at all gaits when cued with voice and whip, and in both directions.

    • 2

      Attach the training harness and attach the side reins to the bit until there is light contact with the horse's mouth. Again, work the horse at all gaits, emphasizing the learning of voice commands.

    • 3

      Team the inexperienced horse with an older, trained farm horse, and have them learn to pull the training sled. This is a heavy wooden sled that teaches the horse about pulling and wears him out. The experienced horse will effectively train the green horse by showing him how to pull and how to respond to the voice commands given by the human.

    • 4

      Transition to the wagon once the green horse is pulling the sled well. Again, team him up with the older farm horse and drive the wagon through as many obstacles and experiences as you can. Expose the green horse to all the sights and sounds of machinery, humans, animals, cars and anything else you can think of.

    • 5

      Train until the horse is confident in what you are asking and knows his job. Then attach him alone to the sled and wagon and see how he moves out. If you have done your job well, he will step into his work with a will and he will be ready for a real job.

    • 6

      Team him up with the older horse for his first few farm jobs. Whether it is plowing, hauling heavy machinery, or pulling logs, having him work with a veteran will only cement his training and make him understand his job better. Once he has worked each job with a buddy several times, you can try him alone.