We raise our own horses and so we get lots of practice starting young horses. Even though there is snow on the ground here, there is still alot that we are able to do with our yearlings. It's important to make sure that you are working with them now, throughout the winter, so that they are ready to start learning in the summer.
Here are simple things you can do during the long winter days to make sure your yearling is ready for the amazing summer days that are coming soon.
1. Make sure you have a lot of contact with your yearling during these next few months before summer. We keep our yearlings in the barn and are around them constantly as we clean their stalls and take them out to exercise.
2. Now is a great time to halter break your yearling. Practice putting the halter on and taking it off so come summer it's no big deal.
3. With the halter on, teach your yearling to lead. Some yearlings freeze up and don't walk forward. If this happens to you, you will need someone behind the yearling to add pressure to get the yearling to walk forward.
4. Now is a great time to do a lot of grooming on your yearling so they are used to it.
5. Make the exercising meaningful. Don't just lope endless circles, this is not only mind numbing but, can be stressful on young joints. Do your groundwork with purpose and give clear direction. Work on body control and responsiveness. If you can get them to respond on the ground they will under saddle as well.
