I have a colt a bit over a year he is halter broke, will walk on a lead now what do I do with him I have?

Question

never had a horse before. Been around them-but not untrained ones-any suggestions on books-websites? I have heard I should lunge him-got a lunge line but when we tried this out nether me nor the horse knew what to do-I do not have nor can get a round pen-so now what? Is there a routine I should be doing every day with him?

Answer 1

I bought a shetland pony when it was 1 1/2. He knew nothing but how to be led. Since I couldn't ride him, and I wanted him bombproof, I did everything I could think of for the next year that would desensitize him. Opening and closing umbrellas, hanging plastic bags near his stall, running all types of things all over his body, bridling, putting a surcingle on him, blankets, saddles, arms, etc. I then started him on lungeing, which just takes time and practice. Start him on a small circle, encouraging him with a whip; not hitting him with it, just shaking it so he moves forward. One way to start him lungeing is to have someone lead him in a circle with you in the center holding the lunge line. You encourage him with the whip and gradually have them let go. He'll get it. After learning to lunge, we moved on to long reining, using the rings on the surcingle. When the pony got it, I was able to ground drive him everywhere and over anything. This was amazing training for when we ended up getting a cart. By the time the pony was ready to have anyone on his back, he was broke to death and nothing fazed him, including little riders. He was broke to ride and drive completely at that point because of the ground work we did, and not rushing at all. http://www.equi-sense.com/articles/longl... http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse_traini...

Answer 2

i would start long reining him every day and also lungeing him.

Answer 3

You should be working with a professional trainer. A one-year-old horse is NOT for a beginner with no experience. I hope you've at least had him gelded.

You should be working on manners with the farrier and vet, blanketing, standing quietly and trailering. I don't recommend lunging as his bones are still developing and going in circles over and over is bad for his feet.

Aside from that stuff he just gets to exist for the next two years until he's old enough to go under tack.

Answer 4

try lunging him with some sort of weight on his abck so he can get used to carrying weight in case you plan on riding or showing him in the future.

Answer 5

DONT put random weight on his back and then lunge him. Preferably dont lunge him especially if you dont know how. It is VERY hard on their legs. I would practice pick up his feet, touching him everywhere (this coming from the owner of a super butt shy horse), teaching him to tie quietly and to stand to be sprayed with water/bug spray. I would try to find a trainer that knows what they are doing and have them either train the horse for you or help you train him. It is expensive but horses have to be correctly trained. In the current market there is no room for half/un-trained horse (except if his future includes being food for dogs/people. In that case training is not necessary. But PLEASE dont let this happen to your baby) Good Luck and get proper help.

Answer 6

as a yearling, all he needs to do is be halter broke and ground broke.   Meaning he will lead quietly everywhere you chose to take him with good maners. ) he wont run you over, drag you, step on you.. balk or act the fool(.

He needs to tie and stand quietly while your there with him. Stand for brushing of all parts of his body, mane, tail and to have his feet cleaned.

At a year he is too young to lounge for more then 5 minutes or so without risking harm to his joints, its not worth it.  Spend your time teaching him verbal cues, while you hand walk him  Stand up.  Whoa.  Walk.  Back. Foot ( when you want his foot to clean it).  you can even job beside him and teach him Trot ( or jog  if western).  Show him scary things such as blankets,  saddles, ect.

If your brand new to babys and training. I sugest finding a few local trainers, asking to come see them work with young horses. Find one whos methods look and "feel" right to you.  Then see about having them come to your barn or brining your baby to theirs.  But its not a rush thing.  You've got time, start breaking him to ride around 2 1/2  and  you really shouldnt be on his back until he is atleast 3 anyway.

Answer 7

He is too young to ride (wait until he is three) and lunging can be hard on a young horses legs and joints.  For the next year or so you should be handling him, leading him, and letting him grow up.  You can teach him to stand for the farrier, pick up his feet, get used to bathing, and get him on a trailer so he understands loading and traveling.

Just give him lots of love until he is older.  Horses do not have full growth of their bones until they are three.  They do not fully mature in size until they are six or seven.  Too much work too early can permanently harm them.

Answer 8

I JUST ran in to this very same problem. I hate to say it, but to get your horse well trained, and to keep you safe, you need to hire a trainer to get you on your way. I have been with my trainer for 2 months, and my horse lunges like a pro now. I work with my trainer twice a week and it costs me $25 for forty five minutes. She can get you well on your way with groundwork pretty fast, and then help you get a saddle on him. Good luck!

Answer 9

let him go out in the field on a daily bases , walk him around daily so he get used to being led if you go to anybook store they will have a horse books in the pet section....

hope I helped...please best answer!

;]

Answer 10

The best thing you can do is find someone who knows what they are doing who can help you.  I don't understand why you have a young horse if you are inexperienced.  That almost NEVER works out.

What else can you do with the horse? If all you can do is lead it, you really have a lot more work to do before you start lunging.  He needs to respect you, and you need to be sure he does.  Is he gelded? I hope so.

I also would no recommend lunging him a lot.  Going in tight circles is not good on a young horse's growing joints and bones.  Make sure he is turned out as much as possible..he needs to be able to exercise in order to grow properly.

For now, just work on his leading skills and his respect.  He should stop when you stop, not nip at you, no nudging you with his head, etc.  Get him used to things like fly spray and being hosed off.  If you haven't had the farrier trim his feet, you should.  He'll need work with his having his feet messed with.

I really don't mean to sound mean but you are going to wind up with an out of control horse if you don't get someone to help you and guide you.

Answer 11

Just get him used to things...especially things that allow him to recieve proper care, like learning to pick up his hooves to be trimmed, and learning to stand tied for grooming.  Squirt his legs with a hose, a little at first, and gradually all over like it's raining on him.  He doesn't need to learn much of anything except to be handled at this young age, so a lot of playing and bonding is good.  teach him not to rub on you or invade your space unless you want him to...don't put any weight on him yet...he's too immature for that.  Get him used to noises like clippers, bangs, anything you can think of.  Use your imagination.