When should I start training him?

[barngirl]

Okay so my horse is a yearling right now (his b.day is March 27,2007) and I was going to start training him to ride in March of '09 is that to early? I have heard people say start training them when there 2 and some people say to start training them when they are 3 or 4. I have also heard someone training their 15 month old ( I would never train that early though) He is going to reach at least 16.1hh and he is already 14.3hh. He doesn't have a lot of muscle right now but I am working on that and it is starting to build up. Also when could I start putting a saddle on him?
Okay last question... He is staring to bite and kick at me is that normal? he is gelded and I would have never in my life thought he would do this! How do I stop it? Thanks!

[mikarod]

As for the biting, punch him in the mouth....hard. As for the kicking...kick him in the gut. It gets the point across fast.

You can actually start putting a saddle on a 6 month old (child saddle) to get them used to feel, but I'd say you could do that and then work your way up. Synthetic saddle then big old leather western show saddle when he's ready for shows and such.

I'd be doing the ground work right now, backing, longe (if you want) and then go from there....

that kicking and biting thing though....usually it's mares kick, geldings bite, studs kill.

[barngirl]

Thanks for the advice the only thing with kicking him in the gut is he turns his butt to me then kicks ( he has left two bruises already) so I couldn't get to his gut if his butt is turned to me.
I have a western saddle mabey 25-30 pounds is that to big to put on him now? Also do I put the girth on him? Thanks!

[proudmomma]

Take a whip out there and when he turns his butt, crack him as hard as you can on the backside. Soon he will learn that it is really painful to kick you. YES 25-30 lbs is too much for a yearling. 10-12 lbs MAX. Find a tiny kids saddle, and yes, try on the girth, but do not cinch it up tight and go REALLY slow. I wouldn't try riding him until he is AT LEAST 2, but FYI, their knees don't close until they are 3

[ltc4h]

Horses are herd animals. YOU are his herd, so somebody has to be the leader, it's you or him and right now it's him. You can do everything to him that an older horse does except ride.
He thinks he's in charge, so teach leading-12-18" from you, going in the same direction/space/distance/pace, on a loose lead, he should stop/back/turn when you do without force/pressure. Next tying- single tie/x-tie/ground tie. Grooming-from brushing and picking feet, to washing and clipping. Trailering-He should load right up and stand in there without pawing/neighing/moving without hay as a pacifier. Thats just a start, it really is endless. The more you require of him the more respect you'll get. You can also teach driving with use of a surcingle with no fear of overweighting him.
Tb's are broke @ 16 mnths to be racing @ 2. Some breeds same way for 2 yr old futurities. If your going to keep him and not looking to do those type of things, I'd hold out on the riding.

[barngirl]

Originally Posted by proudmomma

Take a whip out there and when he turns his butt, crack him as hard as you can on the backside. Soon he will learn that it is really painful to kick you. YES 25-30 lbs is too much for a yearling. 10-12 lbs MAX. Find a tiny kids saddle, and yes, try on the girth, but do not cinch it up tight and go REALLY slow. I wouldn't try riding him until he is AT LEAST 2, but FYI, their knees don't close until they are 3

I have taken a crop out there and everytime I get near him with it he knows that if he trys to do anything to me he will get hurt so he doesn't kick but when I don't have a crop he knows I can't hurt him so then he will kick me.
I know someone with a bareback pad and she said I could use it if I want, would that be better to use instead of the saddle? Thanks guys!

[mikarod]

Guess it depends if you can get the bareback saddle on him and if you can hold on tight enough to stay on him!

[barngirl]

Originally Posted by mikarod

Guess it depends if you can get the bareback saddle on him and if you can hold on tight enough to stay on him!

I have had a blanket on him and he didn't move he look at it like "yeah it's a blanket big deal!" so the only thing I think would get him upset is the girth but Idk we will find out!

[cvoeller]

This is what I did ...not my idea, but "natural trainer" tips.
Start with giving that colt lots of attention under that belly area front to back. Brushing patting rubbing etc. Then use your lead rope around that cinch area, pull it up gentle until they accept the light pressure there & release, keep building on the pressure until you can pull that lead rope real snug & tight like a cinch and hold it ther witout the colt freaking out. Don't tie it at all as you want the feedome to just drop it if needed. A couple of lessons over a few days & that cinch will not be a big deal!!!
I know someone who had a real quiet sweet 2 year old filly that they decided to saddle one day... so they went out & put on the pad...no problem, so they set the saddle on...no problem, then they cinched it up hard & fast so it wouldn't fall off & that poor filly dropped to her knees frozed & bug eyed, scared to death that she was gonna die!
It takes so little to help them mentally prepare, why not give them every opportunity to absorb & accept the whole process! Caren

[barngirl]

Originally Posted by cvoeller

This is what I did ...not my idea, but "natural trainer" tips.
Start with giving that colt lots of attention under that belly area front to back. Brushing patting rubbing etc. Then use your lead rope around that cinch area, pull it up gentle until they accept the light pressure there & release, keep building on the pressure until you can pull that lead rope real snug & tight like a cinch and hold it ther witout the colt freaking out. Don't tie it at all as you want the feedome to just drop it if needed. A couple of lessons over a few days & that cinch will not be a big deal!!!
I know someone who had a real quiet sweet 2 year old filly that they decided to saddle one day... so they went out & put on the pad...no problem, so they set the saddle on...no problem, then they cinched it up hard & fast so it wouldn't fall off & that poor filly dropped to her knees frozed & bug eyed, scared to death that she was gonna die!
It takes so little to help them mentally prepare, why not give them every opportunity to absorb & accept the whole process! Caren

Thanks so much! I will try it!