At What Age Should You Begin Training A Horse?

It’s much easier to train the foal while he’s still young, because he isn’t too set in his ways or developed any real bad habits. If he is hearty and strong, the very first day of his life is not too soon to begin training. The earlier in life the training begins the easier the task, and the longer it is postponed the greater are the chances of struggles. While it is true that at this early age the horse’s memory capabilities aren’t as good, it must be remembered that the horse learns by association of ideas only, and beginning at so early an age has many advantages aside from training the memory.

Probably the most significant benefit by beginning the training of a horse at a real young age is that they become familiar with their master and human contact while the foal can be over powered much easier. A horse obeys commands because he feels obliged to do so, and not because he likes to accomplish a task. Hence, it’s an advantage to fix the idea in the foal’s mind that he is our mental and physical inferior and must obey. The earlier he comes to realize this idea the better horse he will make. Mature horses have come to know their strength and having their instinct of independence strongly developed and are more difficult to teach and get to obey.

It is of much importance the first time the foal is caught that he be held in such a manner as not to cause him fright. The usual way to catch a foal is around the neck, which usually frightens him resulting in being more difficult to approach the next time. To avoid this, the trainer should make a careful study of the factors governing the movements of the animal. For example, if we touch his hindquarters, he moves forward, if we touch his forequarters, he moves backward. Thus we see that pressure in front stimulates a backward movement, while pressure behind stimulates a forward movement. This is a very important observation and should always be kept in mind when training a horse.

In catching the foal for the first time, gently place one arm under the neck and the other under the hindquarters. If he attempts to go forward, apply pressure at the neck, or if he attempts to go backward, apply the pressure at the hindquarters. If you need the foal to step forward, relieve the pressure at the neck and apply it at the hindquarters, if you want him to step back, relieve the pressure at the hindquarters and apply it at the neck. If caught in this manner, he will soon become quiet, then he should be handled all over his body and legs. Extra care should be taken when handling the ears, the back of the forelegs, the flanks, and the front of the hind legs, as these parts are extremely sensitive.

Foals are naturally very timid. In order for a horse to reach their greatest usefulness, they must overcome timidness and establish confidence in man. This can be accomplished by kind, firm treatment. The occasional use of some relished treats can be very useful in overcoming timidness and establishing trust and confidence.

No sudden movements should be made in approaching the foal, as this will startle him and make him jump away. In this way, he will soon learn that he can elude capture. Don’t attempt to catch him unless you’re fairly sure of success, if he continually succeeds in getting away, he will start to get the idea embedded in his mind that to flee is the best response, flight is already a natural instinct in horses and we must not further encourage it.

After catching and handling the foal, it is important that we secure his complete confidence before he is freed. If for some reason the youngster should make his escape before his confidence is established, he will be harder to catch the next time. In view of this fact much care must be taken to dispel all fear. Loving kindness is an important factor in securing this confidence. The importance of securing the foal’s confidence at this early age is very substantial, as he is likely to retain the pleasant recollection throughout his life.

In training the youngster, it is of vital importance that the first lessons in such a way that they can be easily understood and accomplished. The foal of course must understand what is wanted before he can be expected to accomplish the task. When he fully understands what is expected of him, he will do it with surprising quick.

In handling the foal, the first few lessons should be kept to a minimum, no more than about 15 minutes exceed fifteen minutes in length, as this is sufficient time to impress an idea on his mind. Take one step at a time, and be sure the foal fully understands what is wanted of him and how to do it before moving onto the next step. If the work is continued too long and the foal becomes fatigued either mentally or physically, his power of learning is drastically reduced, and if the work is complicated, he may become confused. Make sure lessons are kept short and simple, especially in the beginning.

Teach the foal only the very basic commands, such as “whoa”, “giddy up”, and “back”. These three terms are the most important because they will be the ones mostly frequently used throughout his life. Also spend some introducing the foal to objects that are likely to cause him fright, show him that such objects will not hurt him, and that he can feel confident you will protect him from harm.

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