Young horse training

[Highflinger]

Hello
I have an almost 3 year old - my first youngster, He is generally quite laid back and has taken most things in his stride so far. Happy to tie up, feet trims, groomed, led, goes over poles, tarp etc. Worn saddle and bridle.
I take him out on walks around village and through woods a couple of times per week - he is fine with traffic seen although only light - has been happy to squeeze through narrow gaps. He is however quite jumpy particularly when in the woods - he tends to jump if he hears crackling in the undergrowth - he does not do a lot, just jumps forwards or sideways and if he sees dog walkers /runners he is quite alert and tense although once they come closer he relaxes. Is this usual given his age and will he just get used to it or is there anything else I can do. He lives out 24/7 in a small herd of non ridden elderly horses and it is very quiet so unless he goes out he does not seem much going on as there is no "yard" environment just field and some hardstanding.
Thank you

 

[Red-1]

Could someone bring another horse for a walk in hand with him? One that is older and settled to show the way?

Going out alone is a great skill but an older schoolmaster can help them become confident.

At the moment he is having to learn about leaving his pals and about new places.

 

[paddy555]

an older horse would be great. If not possible set up situations for him. For example a friend when she broke her horses had to ride out into lorries from the nearby quarry. She penned them in the field next to the road and left them there with hay. I would do similar in the woodland. It is also darker moving from sunlight to tree cover. Drop some hay off in the woodland, walk him there and on a long rope let him just eat the hay for a while.
Runners coming at them do tend to frighten them so enlist a friend and set it up so they walk at the horse and then move onto running, same with bikes.
I'm in a similar situation and don't have the noise and activity of a yard so I have to set things up. Take your wheely bin for walks, drag a plastic can along on your walks as if you were walking a dog, lots a noise there from behind him.
Find a quiet road and tie plastic to trees. Take him to a spooky area, don't just walk through it but use it as an area to do inhand training. Horse jumps then one step back, one step forward, lower his head, turn on the forehand/hindquarters etc. Take a brush and stand there there and groom him. Put him deliberately in problem situations and work on them. Lunge him (short rope) in the woodland, lunge over a fallen tree etc, rather than letting him just look and panic give him some work to do.

 

[TheMule]

I think it’s a lot to expect a 3yr old to go out alone/ I would definitely pair up with an older horse to give him confidence

 

[Horseysheepy]

I would say that he is being a good boy with what you've done with him and I would very pleased with that!
And he is just being a normal young horse in how he is reacting to those things.
Much as it's good training to get them out independently it can be very helpful to have an older nanny horse for back up where needed. Also if anything happens, you've got an extra person to get you out of trouble.

 

[holeymoley]

I agree with the extra experienced horse to nanny 'just in case' or simply to show him it's all okay. I have been lucky with mine as I've managed to ride my old boy and lead the youngster. He sounds pretty sensible, it'll just be those first time moments until he gets used to the noises and people appearing out of nowhere and realises they're not going to eat him!

 

[New Forests Rock]

Yes definitely add a 'nanny' if you possibly can - nothing helps a youngster more than sensible company, not just in the woods situation but especially when introducing larger traffic.