breaking a young pony

Question
hi can u help iv just got a 2yr new forest cross
was just gelded about 8 weeks ago i need to know what the best age to start breaking him in and as iv only had him about a week now what would be the first traning to do with him as iv always had older horses this is a first for me to have a young horse to break in my self.
also before i had him he was kicked in his back lower leg and it has all healed and no lameness just the scab still there but i can pick out his hoof no problem but just with that one leg he keeps forcing his hoof to the floor and he also keeps biteing my bum when cleaning his hoofs any advice would be grateful thank you  carn't wait to here any advise u can give  

Answer
Hi Claire!

The very first thing you want to do is cement his ground manners.  He must be listening and obeying perfectly to everything you ask him to do on the ground before you even consider breaking him to saddle.

As you have said in your question..."this is a first for me to have a young horse to break myself".  You cannot do this yourself, you need help.  If you are coming across issues as simple as him not allowing his feet to be picked properly and you are stymied, you would be seriously beyond your abilities when it came to something as complicated as breaking him to saddle.  Without the proper training knowledge one of you could very easily get injured.

Speak to your vet, farrier, tack shop or local Pony Club chapter and have them recommend a trainer who has experience in breaking young ponies.  Have the trainer out to evaluate your situation and discuss your goals.  He/she can give you some solid advice on where to start his ground manners and give you exercises to work on with him.  It sounds like he needs everything and solid, consistent training to get him where you want him to be.

Lastly, just remember everytime you touch him it is a training session.  No being friends right now....you are his instructor on how to live in his new "human herd" and how to become a trusted and trusting riding partner.  When he is finished, then you can be friends for the next 20 years  :-)

Taking the time and money to correctly train him now will benefit you both for the rest of his riding career.

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

Solange