Stopping yearling from pulling

[GrassChop]

You do it when you have time to do it consistently. Basic groundwork in prep for backing most days, min 5 days a week.
But it’s only beneficial if you are doing it right. Hence it’s worth investing in someone who can train you both together. If that means leaving it until the weather is better and more daylight then so be it.
Once they have bad habits ingrained through getting it wrong the whole job gets harder.

Thank you!

 

[paddy555]

r but I also don't want to be doing too much because I want him to be a baby! It seems like such a fine line.

he's not a baby he's a nearly 3 yo horse and he sounds to be taking over. As blitznbobs says you are not his mummy. You are in charge. He can be a baby and have fun when he is out in the field with his mates. In your little "herd" of 2 ie when he is with you then you are the leader and in charge and he is the follower and does as he is told. Always. No ifs or buts. You say jump and he says how high. If not you are doing him an injustice because when it really matters and he could get hurt (for example on the road) he has to do as he is told immediately and without question.

This is what I'm getting a bit confused with! Some are saying why am I doing anything and others say why aren't I doing anything so I'm not sure what the best thing to do is!
Where is best to start and how often please?
He does know exactly what I'm asking him and knows how to behave. It's just not consistent.

if he is 2.5 he needs to learn manners and leading well now.

Either do something or don't however don't do a tiny bit sometimes.
I would work on him probably in 2 or 3 sessions daily. Just 5 or 10 minutes at a time teaching him to stand without moving a couple of yards away from me on a long rope and then leading. Leading means walking at my shoulder with a loose rope and working on voice commands ie stop, go back, walk on etc. Gradually he will do this automatically following your body language.
Standing away from me means just that ie standing, no messing around, no trying to bite me, no moving from the spot. Just stand calmly and do nothing.

I would work as above for probably 3 weeks and see the progress.

What you do really depends on your plans for him. When is he going to be broken and who by/where.

 

[GrassChop]

1 don’t take him out in public til he has some manners
2 and biting you when led so he gets his own way is unacceptable.

you say he hasn’t been out since October and you are leading him down the road in a head collar when you know you don’t have full control?

it sounds like you are trying to be his mum not his trainer and this never works… he has to understand that there are some things you don’t do and biting is one of them… what do you do when he bites you?

I've tried several things that I've been advised as the firm growl and no then making him stand or back up doesn't work. I've flicked him over the nose with the end of the rope which doesn't work and makes him more aggy and I tried yesterday with having the rubber handle of the whip in my hand so he made contact with that and hit himself in the mouth with it instead but that didn't work either. He knows he shouldn't do it because when I do tell him off he has an "oh sh*t I'm in trouble" reaction but then he tries again anyway!

 

[GrassChop]

he's not a baby he's a nearly 3 yo horse and he sounds to be taking over. As blitznbobs says you are not his mummy. You are in charge. He can be a baby and have fun when he is out in the field with his mates. In your little "herd" of 2 ie when he is with you then you are the leader and in charge and he is the follower and does as he is told. Always. No ifs or buts. You say jump and he says how high. If not you are doing him an injustice because when it really matters and he could get hurt (for example on the road) he has to do as he is told immediately and without question.


if he is 2.5 he needs to learn manners and leading well now.

Either do something or don't however don't do a tiny bit sometimes.
I would work on him probably in 2 or 3 sessions daily. Just 5 or 10 minutes at a time teaching him to stand without moving a couple of yards away from me on a long rope and then leading. Leading means walking at my shoulder with a loose rope and working on voice commands ie stop, go back, walk on etc. Gradually he will do this automatically following your body language.
Standing away from me means just that ie standing, no messing around, no trying to bite me, no moving from the spot. Just stand calmly and do nothing.

I would work as above for probably 3 weeks and see the progress.

What you do really depends on your plans for him. When is he going to be broken and who by/where.

He is only going to be a hacking horse for me.
The thing is, he does all of that perfectly but when he doesn't want to anymore is when I have the issues.

 

[southerncomfort]

I'd be using a rope halter and 12ft rope and I'd have a bridle on too (minus reins), so he knows that when the bridle is on, its work time.

At his age I'd be doing a mixture of groundwork in the school and walking out in hand.

In the school he needs to learn that you are in control of his feet, he goes where you say. He needs to learn to walk beside you, to move over, and to back up when you tell him.

Then get him out. If he's to be your hacking horse, you need to show him the world outside. Don't avoid anything, you need to expose him to everything he will experience out hacking. Do it incrementally so you don't over face him. I walked miles and miles and miles with my pony before I backed him, and he's as bold as brass out hacking now.

At his age, a 20 to 30 minute walk 3 or 4 times a week is well within his physical capabilities.

There is loads you can do this year in preparation for a rider next year.

I highly recommend Richard Maxwell's book 'Train Your Young Horse'.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think I would send him away for a month to some one local to do some pre starting work .
You need to find the right person so ask around near you.
You sound confused and in over your head doing this would be an investment in you and him because I would also advise you go to where you send him regularly and learn .
If don’t want to do this then I would advise you handle this minimally until you himaway for backing because you training him to do things that will his life difficult and you need to stop.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Eta. It is repetitive and sometimes it felt like trying to drag a toddler down the sweetie isle in a supermarket without letting them grab anything but now he's grown up abit it's got so much better.

Haha, installing ground manners in young horses is indeed very like installing basic manners in toddlers .

It is all about having very clear expectations and giving calm consistent handling each and every time. No giving in on the sweetie aisle ‘just this once’ to buy some temporary peace.

 

[Patterdale]

Leave it alone then send it to a professional later this summer.

I used to ride for a living, including lots of backing and breaking. I am very experienced with young horses.
However - I no longer ride professionally, and my current set up isn’t right for starting youngsters (no suitable enclosed area, no experienced second pair of hands).

So what I do with my babies is leave them in the field un-fiddled with until they are 3, then send them away as a blank canvas at 3. When they go they are halter trained enough to tie up and have feet done, but they’ve never been on walks or led as such.
They’ve had daily contact and carrots and love people, but they have no issues created by early handling. They are literally just caught 2-3 times a year for foot trimming.

If I were you I would stop faffing with it, turn it away, then send it away to someone trusted when the time comes. It is so important to recognise your limitations with young horses. It frustrated me hugely at the start paying someone else to do mine, but I am not the rider I was when I was riding 8 a day, and I don’t have the facilities. It’s a bitter pill saying ‘I need someone more experienced’ but it will be nicer and cheaper for you in the long run.

 

[paddy555]

The thing is, he does all of that perfectly but when he doesn't want to anymore is when I have the issues.

Haha, installing ground manners in young horses is indeed very like installing basic manners in toddlers .

It is all about having very clear expectations and giving calm consistent handling each and every time. No giving in on the sweetie aisle ‘just this once’ to buy some temporary peace.

TP's quote answers the point you made perfectly.

It is not that he can't, I'm sure he understands very well he just doesn't particularly want to. He is young, he is challenging you. He is just like a young child.

ETA is there any chance you could change the title of your post from yearling to 2.5yo or rising 3yo? It would be easier to understand the problem

 

[maya2008]

Having read all your replies I will add my voice to the send away idea. I have no idea what to suggest otherwise without actually seeing what you are doing!

A friend sent a pony to us recently for some work. We offered because they were getting nowhere fast and my kids want to ride with theirs so wanted the pony up and running! I have no facilities but do have experience and an experienced jockey. In two weeks we achieved more than they did in two months. It was just having consistent work with someone knowledgeable who had the time.

I have done the same in reverse - had an aggressive youngster who arrived at ours aggressive and pregnant. Once foal was weaned she spent six weeks on my pro friend’s yard. Within two weeks was catching and within 4 was reliably no longer trying to go for the handler. I’m great with small ponies and feral/nervous types. She’s great with ones that are more bolshy. No shame in asking for help if you don’t have the skill set required!

 

[GrassChop]

Having read all your replies I will add my voice to the send away idea. I have no idea what to suggest otherwise without actually seeing what you are doing!

A friend sent a pony to us recently for some work. We offered because they were getting nowhere fast and my kids want to ride with theirs so wanted the pony up and running! I have no facilities but do have experience and an experienced jockey. In two weeks we achieved more than they did in two months. It was just having consistent work with someone knowledgeable who had the time.

I have done the same in reverse - had an aggressive youngster who arrived at ours aggressive and pregnant. Once foal was weaned she spent six weeks on my pro friend’s yard. Within two weeks was catching and within 4 was reliably no longer trying to go for the handler. I’m great with small ponies and feral/nervous types. She’s great with ones that are more bolshy. No shame in asking for help if you don’t have the skill set required!

Thank you. I've contacted someone that can come to the yard to help.

I've also had my partner record a couple of videos of me today with him so if anyone would be able to watch and give me some tips, I'm happy to pm the link. I don't like seeing myself on it so please be kind if you see it!

 

[GrassChop]

TP's quote answers the point you made perfectly.

It is not that he can't, I'm sure he understands very well he just doesn't particularly want to. He is young, he is challenging you. He is just like a young child.

ETA is there any chance you could change the title of your post from yearling to 2.5yo or rising 3yo? It would be easier to understand the problem

I can't change the title now I don't think!

 

[GrassChop]

Leave it alone then send it to a professional later this summer.

I used to ride for a living, including lots of backing and breaking. I am very experienced with young horses.
However - I no longer ride professionally, and my current set up isn’t right for starting youngsters (no suitable enclosed area, no experienced second pair of hands).

So what I do with my babies is leave them in the field un-fiddled with until they are 3, then send them away as a blank canvas at 3. When they go they are halter trained enough to tie up and have feet done, but they’ve never been on walks or led as such.
They’ve had daily contact and carrots and love people, but they have no issues created by early handling. They are literally just caught 2-3 times a year for foot trimming.

If I were you I would stop faffing with it, turn it away, then send it away to someone trusted when the time comes. It is so important to recognise your limitations with young horses. It frustrated me hugely at the start paying someone else to do mine, but I am not the rider I was when I was riding 8 a day, and I don’t have the facilities. It’s a bitter pill saying ‘I need someone more experienced’ but it will be nicer and cheaper for you in the long run.

I'm more than happy to have someone else do it for me! I do want to learn as well. I have contacted someone for help.

 

[GrassChop]

I got a video today that I'm happy to PM to someone for advice on what I'm doing but please be kind, I hate seeing myself on camera