3 year old Colt

Question
QUESTION: I recently had a 3 year old colt given to me, He was a rescue. I would like to start the breaking process, how should I go about it, I have 4 different styles of saddles. should I wait until he adjusts to the new area. or....I don't know. He is a Quarter horse. I need some help


ANSWER: Hi James!

Yes.  You need help.  You need lots and LOTS of help.  Much, much more than I can ever give you over the Internet.

First, have him thoroughly examined by your vet.  Watch how is ground manners are for the vet and watch how the vet handles him.  Of course have him gelded as soon as the vet says it is possible.  The vet can lay out a specific feeding plan for him also if you have any questions about his health or weight.  Don't forget to talk to the vet about starting a worming schedule.  Once he has been given a clean bill of health, you can responsibly start his education.

Second, I strongly advise against you attempting to do anything by yourself that is considered training.  You have no idea how much you could hurt yourself or the horse.  Right now, the only priority is giving him a safe home, proper nutrition and care.

Speak to your vet or tack shop and ask them to recommend a local Quarter Horse trainer who has experience with babies.  Have the trainer out to evaluate your situation and discuss your experience level with horses and your goals for this little colt.  Hire him/her to not only educate your baby but, also you.

Raising a horse to be correctly broken to saddle and keep all that training forever after is complicated and time consuming.  It takes years and years to produce a safe and trusted riding partner.  People think they can take "shortcuts" or use a "magic" bit or saddle that will fix everything.  Nope.  The only thing that works is your brain and his brain communicating correctly to each other.

Get the vet out and then hire a professional local trainer to teach you hands-on how to help this youngster grow up right.

The slaughterhouses are full of ill-trained horses.  Either through ignorance or abuse, it does not matter.  No one wants to deal with them.  Properly and well trained horses live long and happy lives with grateful owners.  That's what you want your boy to have, right?

If you find this to be too big and daunting of a task to do....that is fine.  Allow another more experienced horseperson to take him and work him...to give him a solid start in life to become the best horse he can.  It's easy to look at him and have him nuzzle you and fall in love.  But, now is the time to think with your head and not your heart.  

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange

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

QUESTION: Well I totally agree with you,The other thing I would like to ask is. Would it hurt to put a riding blanket on him and lead him to get used to the fact That he will be ridden, and when do you think that it would be ok to get him shoed. you can write me direct at  

Answer
Hi James!

At 3yrs. old this youngster is practically full grown and could hurt you without even really trying.  Not kidding.  One wrong move on your part, he jerks and spooks and BAM!  Your arm is broken, you're on the ground and you have a freaked out, loose baby running around.  So, I advise against any training attempts on your part until you have a professional out to get you started correctly.  On a sidenote, walking him around with a saddle blanket on would do nothing for him.  It would really teach him nothing, he would forget it all easily and would in the end have little to no impact. He is a baby in a new home with a new daddy and he needs to just settle in slowly.


When the vet comes out, ask him/her to recommend a farrier (a blacksmith) who would be willing to deal with a possibly no-mannered youngster.  I doubt very much he would need anything more than a trim.  Barefoot until they do real riding is generally fine for most horse breeds and individuals.  Again, ask the vet his opinion on his hooves and then also see what the farrier recommends.  I'd do what they tell you cuz if they are any good, they are usually right 99% of the time.


Just take your time..and feel free to read up on raising a youngster to educate yourself.  Not the stupid things on the Internet sites where people mouth off about what they think they know on training horses.  Those sites are dangerous to both horses and humans.  I'm talking real books from tack shops and such.  I like anything from Monty Roberts.

Solange