How to Be Patient With a Young Horse

Young horses are a challenge to gentle and train. Because their major defense mechanism is flight, they must be handled with great patience in order to gain their trust and help them overcome their fright. By following just a few tips, you can learn to be patient with a young horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Boots
• Gloves
• Halter
• Brush
• Comb
• Hoof pick

1. Block out plenty of time in your schedule to work with the young horse so that you won't feel rushed. Plan to work with the horse at least three days a week, more if possible.
2. Spend time just hanging out with the young horse, getting it used to having you for a companion. Talk to him and get him used to your voice.
3. Practice patience by disciplining yourself to not make any sudden moves around the young horse. It is a part of a young horse's instinctive defense mechanism to jump back in reaction to any sudden movement in order to avoid being kicked or bitten by another horse.
4. Ease up to the horse and rub it along the back and withers, like another horse would do. This helps you become your horse's buddy.
5. Halter the young horse and spend time brushing and grooming it. Lift up all four feet and clean them with a hoof pick every day, if you can. This will desensitize the horse and get her used to having you touching and moving around her.
6. Back off if you find yourself becoming angry or impatient with the young horse. Stand there and count to 10. Most of the time, the colt will get curious and move closer to you, if you are patient.

Tips & Warnings

• Never lose your temper with a young horse. An angry action will never help, and it could ruin the horse. Horses have very long memories, so it can take years to undo the harm done in a single incident. Patience pays.
• Wear protective gear such as leather boots and gloves when working with young horses.
• Never tie a young horse up and leave the area. They may spook and get into all kinds of trouble.