Ace came to me as a skittish and scared barely touched yearling and went home nicely ground broke. This blog chronicles his progress and the steps and techniques I used.
The First Week: Laying the Foundation of Trust
When Ace first arrived, he would follow treats, but had no real understanding of being led by a halter. He was afraid to be touched and never had his feet picked up. Our first task was to establish a connection and teach him that human touch was a good thing. Many people at this stage start feeding treats. The horse will learn to take food but will not learn to accept human touch, which is what needs to happen. We introduced a dressage whip and a lariat rope, not as instruments of discipline, but as extensions of our hands to guide and comfort him. I used the whip and rope at first with approach and retreat method, then to scratch.
The Dressage Whip: A Multi-Functional Tool
I used the dressage whip to gently touch Ace’s chest, neck, and legs. If he showed resistance or discomfort, we applied slight pressure to encourage movement. The initial first touch took a while to get, but it wasn’t long that Ace realized that the touch felt good, so after that I spent a lot of time scratching and reinforcing our connection on my terms. He wanted the scratch, but I had rules around him getting the scratch. And just like that, I had the basis for ask and reward that every part of Ace’s training for the rest of his life will build on. You can watch that video and watch me build that connection in the video Halter breaking and handling a scared yearling colt.
Introducing the Lariat Rope
After Ace became comfortable with the dressage whip, I introduced the lariat rope. The rope’s bulkier texture and unique sound provided a new sensory experience for him. I used it in the same manner as the dressage whip—gentle guidance and scratching—to build his comfort level.
Foot handling was a significant part of our first week’s goals. I used the dressage whip and lariat rope to rub Ace’s legs. Whenever he allowed the touch without moving, I removed the pressure as a reward, setting the groundwork for future hoof care.
Week Two and Beyond: Building Skills and Confidence
The Halter Training Breakthrough
By the second week, Ace was ready for to be halted. The preparatory work with the lariat rope made the haltering process smooth. I taught him to step towards the halter’s pressure, turning his head slightly to encourage him to step towards me. Each successful step was met with verbal praise and petting.
Balancing Act: Picking Up Feet
I escalated the foot handling by attempting to pick up both his front and back feet. I started by running my hands down his legs, lifting the foot briefly, and then releasing it. This was done to acclimate him to the sensation and to reward him for his cooperation. You can watch the video of this phase called, Haltering and picking up this yearling’s feet for the first time.
Safety Protocols
Safety was paramount. I ensured Ace always had an “exit” option to reduce stress and the likelihood of kicking. The lead rope was held in a manner that allowed quick redirection of his head towards me, further minimizing risks.
The 60-Day Milestone: A Well-Rounded Yearling
Two months in, Ace had become proficient in basic groundwork. He could now be led comfortably with a halter, and his feet could be picked up without any fuss. His lunging skills had also improved, although he remained slightly reactive to the lunge whip. My lunging techniques were designed to make Ace work off his back end, a departure from traditional methods but effective for his training.
Footwork and Trailer Loading
One of the most significant achievements was Ace’s comfort and balance when picking up his feet. Initially, he would try to walk away, but with consistent practice, he learned to balance himself. I also successfully trained him to lead into a trailer, a crucial skill for any horse. You can see the 60-day accomplishments in the video, An unhandled yearling after 60 days.
Tools We Found Useful
Throughout this journey, I used a horseman’s pocket knife, equipped with a blade and a hoof pick, especially for footwork. This tool proved invaluable in reinforcing the training techniques we employed.
I keep a knife similar to this on me at all times. Came in very handy when working this colt.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As Ace prepares to return home, I’m confident that he has acquired the foundational skills necessary for his general care and maintenance. His transformation from a skittish yearling to a trainable, more confident horse has been incredibly rewarding. You can watch Ace’s complete training video playlist on YouTube.
You can read about other horse transformations are at Horse Training Journeys.
All of the valuable information I have learned through 25+ years of horse training and showing, I share with you to help you to improve your equestrian knowledge. Thank You.