​Rules For Young Horses

​Rules For Young Horses
By Gaye DeRusso
 
Did you buy a young horse and not sure how you should proceed forward?  Realize with young horses there are great responsibilities, as you are the one shaping them for the future. You are the one that is teaching them right from wrong and you are the one teaching them what is acceptable behavior.  If done correctly, you are responsible for making an amazing horse, done wrong, you are responsible for making a monster that no one wants to deal with. So here are some basic rules to help you on your journey. 
 
1. Teach them to respect you and stay out of your space. Nothing is more dangerous and annoying then having a 1,000 lb. horse walking on top of you. Because they are so large, they can hurt or even kill us in an instance. So, make sure they understand to stay out of your space and to do as you say. If they refuse, you must give them consequences to show them, your option is the better option. Train them as if a 90-year-old woman is going to handle them after you and you do not want her to get hurt. 
 
2. You are in charge not the horse. They are not born knowing how to deal with people. They do not understand that one kick can kill us. They will not respect you and do as you ask if you do not give them a reason why. Young horses are like large children. They will test, they will have temper tantrums and they will act out. It is your responsibility to show them how to act and what is acceptable and what is not. When they act up you must show them this is not tolerated. If you do not, they will take over in time and become an uncontrollable horse that is dangerous to all of those around it. 
 
3. If you're not a trainer, then get a trainer to start your horse and show you how to handle it. It is easier to start with a good foundation then to have to redo steps and fix bad behaviors because you did it wrong. Having a good trainer's guidance is worth its weight in gold. It will help you to avoid mistakes, but it will also keep you much safer. 
 
4. Young horses have energy. Some hide it well and it comes out at times when you're not expecting it, and some just show you they have a lot to start. So, you must prepare the horse for the task at hand and work that extra energy out before you try to teach them anything or before you ride them on the trail. If you don't, they will not be as willing and they also might buck or rear or take off, when they don't want to do what you ask. Remember you are teaching them how to behave each time you handle them, and it is easier to teach them when they are not full of energy. 
 
5. Young horses do not have years of experience. You are the one who will give them years of experience. So, realize they will need guidance at times, that they will be unsure and that you are their leader and will show them the correct way to handle things that come up. Never rush them, be patient and show them the correct way to do things. Your friends might try to push you, but don't let them, this is your responsibility to help the horse. 
 
6. Do not let your horse make decisions for himself. If you let the horse decide, he will decide but the decision will be based on what's best for him. If your horse spooks, take him back and show him what it was and build his confidence. If you let him run from what he is scared of, he will become a bolter. If he decides he does not want to do something, and bucks or rears and you don't show him this is not acceptable, and he must try to do what you ask. Then he will become a bucker or rearing horse when he doesn't want to do something. Bad behaviors are learned, they are not born with them. 
 
7. Most young horses need lots of play time and work. They need structure, guidance and to get their energy out. Try and work them for an hour or so each day. Make them use their mind and their body to get a well-balanced willing horse.
 
8. The less work they have the more unruly they will become. This is because they have learned that they do not have to work. If they protest and win, they just become more unruly. They will use all their energy in non-constructive ways, such as fighting with the other horses, and breaking things around the barn, as they are testing their boundaries. Show them they have a job to do every day.
 
9. Give your horse a good work ethic. Show him when it's time to work there is no messing around. If they do mess around, they get ever more work. We all have jobs, and most people do not love their job, so your horse also must learn that he has a job, and he needs to do it well even when he does not feel like it. 
 
10. Reward them when they try. Young horses do not know the answers, someone must teach them the right answer. So, when you ask them to do something, they more than likely will do it wrong in the beginning. Show them what they are suppose to do and when they make any effort to do the right thing, stop and reward them. Tell them they did a good job, give them a nice scratch, and give them rest. You will be surprised how hard some of them will try to do the right thing when rewarded for their efforts. If you never reward them, how will they know the right answer?
 
Young horses are great but can also be frustrating at times. Even if they have training, it is easy to take that training off. 
 
They will show you just how much you don't know. So, get a trainer to help, and one that will give you guidance even once the horse has left training, so if you make a mistake, you can fix it before it becomes a major issue.