Working with Young Horses – Patience, Trust, and Training with Heart
Working with young horses is both a challenge and a gift. Anyone who has accompanied a horse from its first groundwork sessions to being ridden under saddle knows: it’s not just about technique. It’s about trust, patience, sensitivity – and building a relationship based on mutual respect.
- A Solid Start: Establishing the Basics
Before you even think about riding a young horse, you need to build a reliable foundation in everyday handling. That includes:
Leading calmly from both sides, halting, and backing up
Picking up feet – essential for farrier visits and hoof care
Grooming and accepting touch – the horse must learn to tolerate being handled all over its body
These small tasks might seem simple but are crucial for everything that follows.
- Trust Comes Before Speed
A common mistake is expecting young horses to "perform" too quickly. But young horses need time – time to understand, process, and most importantly, to trust.
A horse that feels safe learns faster, stays mentally balanced, and becomes a more reliable partner under saddle.
Remember: It’s better to go too slowly than too fast.
- Groundwork: Communication Without a Rider
Groundwork is a core part of young horse training. It teaches the horse to pay attention to the handler’s body language, to understand basic cues, and to focus.
Key elements include:
Lunging with or without side reins or long reins
Desensitization (to noises, plastic tarps, whips, etc.)
In-hand work to prepare for lateral movements
Trailer training – important for any horse that will travel in the future
- The First Ride – A Major Milestone
The first time a person sits on a young horse is a magical and sensitive moment. A well-prepared training plan builds up to this day over weeks or months:
Saddle and girth desensitization
Pressure and cue training from the ground
A helper guiding and steadying the horse during the first rides
Lots of praise, short sessions, and calm repetition
A smooth start under saddle comes from careful preparation, not courage.
- Training with the Future in Mind
Young horses learn quickly – but they can also be overwhelmed just as fast. That’s why smart training focuses on long-term development, not short-term results.
Keep in mind:
Consistency is better than intensity
Variety keeps the horse motivated (include walks, time in the pasture, light trail rides)
Positive reinforcement builds confidence (voice, breaks, treats)
Physical maturity matters – a 3-year-old has different limits than a 6-year-old
- The Human as Teacher – and Role Model
The most important trait a trainer needs when working with young horses is inner calm. Horses mirror our emotions. Nervousness, frustration, or impatience will only confuse or scare a young horse.
Good young horse training is built on:
Clear communication
Consistency without harshness
Reliable leadership
Time, patience, and respect
Conclusion: Every Young Horse Is a Journey
Training a young horse isn’t just about riding – it’s a personal development journey for both horse and human. Those who listen, learn, and show empathy will be rewarded with a partner who trusts, understands, and enjoys working with you.
Because young horses don’t need perfect riders – they need honest guides.