Training 3 year old

Question
Hi! I may be taking on a project of training a three year old filly. Apparently she knows how to be lunged and has been tacked up and sat on twice, with no problems. What I'd like is some tips of good exercises to go from there. Is ponying a good idea? I am going to do desensitizing, so she has no worries in the future. Thanks for your help!

Answer
Danielle,

Congrats on the new assignment!  Training babies is the best part of the whole training process!

My first recommendation to you is to verify what the current handler is telling you.  Make sure when the handler tells you she is lunging, that she is actually doing it well.  Groundwork of this nature lays your foundation for FUTURE success!

I never trust the word of anyone who says any horse has been sat on.  Sure, they may have, and they may be fine with it, but I for one do not find it beneficial to risk mine or the horse's safety to prove a point.  

First thing is first.  When you get her, before you attempt to do anything from her back, lets be sure she is really responding from the ground first.  A simple checklist for you to use, which will really clarify your understanding of this horse's level of training follows.

1.  How does she lead?  Is she pulling you, pushing you or dragging behind you?  Or, does she smartly walk beside you, alert and responsive to your cues?  (This indicates both a level of respect and decent ground training).

2.  When you lunge her, does she understand the verbal commands of whoa, walk, jog/trot, lope/canter?  Can she calmly reverse and do both sides picking up correct leads at the lope/canter?  Is she beginning to understand your body language?  For ex: lunge whip pointed in the area behind her hindquarter to encourage movement, the placing of your body in front of the shoulder line to encourage stopping and so on?

3.  Will she wear tack comfortably or does she get silly or fight it?

After looking at these very basic things, the next thing the filly should be taught to understand is direction.  By coupling verbal command with hands on practice will only further her understanding of what you are looking for.  You will want to do things like long lining.  I also use a game called "Simon Says."  Simon says simply sets up a very elaborate but definite line in terms of doing only that which is asked.  You may ask her to walk four steps forward, two steps to the right, and one step back.  You can do any synchronization of steps, just mix it up and keep it interesting.  Avoid over doing it as it can become a frustration.  This, again, reinforces to the filly that the "game plan" often changes, so pay attention to the handler.

Once your young horse has a very firm understanding of all of this, only then would I recommend even trying to get on her for the first time.  Also, if you are not experienced in handling young first time horses, I would recommend getting a professional or more experienced rider to help you out.  Once you are in the saddle and you and the filly are both starting to get the hang of it, start asking her for the same kinds of things you did from the ground.  Incorporate training leg aids (overexaggerated correct aids) and use the exact same verbal commands.

Good luck with her and if you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask!