Foal training - Rick Gore Horsemanship

Question
QUESTION: In a discussion with our Vet, it was mentioned that foals are able to perform certain tasks at certain ages, i.e lead line, etc.  If this is correct, what is the timeline for learning milestones? At what age do they stop playing (rearing, bucking, chasing) with other foals?  I am sorry if I missed this information on your website.  Thank you.

ANSWER: You missed a lot if you believe there is some magical age that horses stop being horses. A horse will rear and buck at any age and no horse will ever stop doing this completely.

Date and ages mean nothing and any vet that thinks this is ignorant to horses. As I say on many of my videos, just because someone is Vet it does not make them a horseman and just because someone is a farrier it does not make them a horseman or trainer. People that believe this are not educated enough to understand this so they do not understand horses.

To put this in simple terms answer this, at what age to people get smart or what age do they stop making mistakes or what age do they stop being mean or committing crimes?  All three questions are as foolish as your question.  If you go to a medical doctor would ask him these questions, pretty sure you get a foolish look from them.

All horses play with other horses - again this question shows a lack of understanding of horses.

When you get better, your horse will get better.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks!  Yes, I do have a lack of understanding of horses which is exactly why I asked the question, and I appreciate you helping to increase my understanding with your answer!  I know of several examples in the animal kingdom where an animal must have reached certain physical or developmental requirements before they can do something (like a bird can not fly until he has his the proper feathers) and did not know if this applied to horses and trying to teach them certain things.  Wasn't sure if a horse could be taught to lead line on day one or would should waite until they were older.  But, it seems you can start training anytime!  Thanks again for helping!!

Answer
Your example about a bird is explained on my web site about precocial species. If you don't what this means again lack of understanding. There is far too much to know about horses so anyone claiming to know it all like Vets or Farriers should be a warning flag. Just like people that ask certain questions can tell you a lot about their knowledge and understanding of horse.

No simple answers in horses, I have over a 500 page web site and over 350 videos and I just scratch the surface of horses.