Today people want a gentle-broke animal. However, the new owner must be warned not to buy a horse that has been started by an inexperienced horseman. Usually this is the reason for selling. The animal may have been so misused that it cannot be retrained and the result may be much trouble and possibly danger.



Any professional trainer taking on a new horse will ask what has been done. The time it takes to undo bad training will be added to the usual training price, and also the disposition of the animal will be taken into consideration before acceptance. If the new owner has found a gentle colt, unspoiled, there is no reason to forego the job of training if a careful step-by-step plan is followed and if each lesson will not be hurried.

The young owner must be impressed with the importance of moving quietly and slowly around a young colt. The baby first must get used to the feel of hands. To hold the animal gently, slip the left arm under the colt's neck while the right arm encircles the rump.

At first the colt might try to free himself, but he will soon learn to stand quietly. The next step is to pat the colt over the whole body, scratch around the ears, and rub his back. The colt must tolerate this handling before taking the next step.

Handling the colt's feet is in the next lesson. Keeping the right hand on the halter, the free hand should be run down the hind leg, grasping the lower part of the pastern. Lift the leg slowly, moving it forward and back. The colt may lose his balance and jerk his foot. Try again and again, until the colt learns to balance. Pick up each foot every day and move it about until the colt does not object and learns to balance. It is important to praise the colt after each successful move.

Start talking to the colt so he will begin to understand the tones of the voice. The colt will start to enjoy each lesson because of the petting and the praise, and eventually there will be no sign of fear. About this time the colt will try to play. Colt play consists of striking, biting, and kicking. These antics are cute in a tiny foal, but as the animal grows and becomes stronger they can be dangerous. Now the colt must be taught what no means.

Limit each lesson to periods of ten minutes, gradually increasing the time as the colt grows older. He will lose interest if the lesson is too long. No matter what age, never work on a lesson longer than twenty minutes for the best results. This appears to be the animal's limit of concentration. Be sure to finish the lesson with the act the colt knows well. Never quit on a failure.

The average horse learns about twelve words. These must be used as commands. The colt will learn quickly that a sharp "no" means something is wrong. Say the word sharply. If the colt tries to bite, strike him lightly on the nose and say "no." For the first ten days of the foal's life he has no teeth. He chews on anything and everything just as a puppy does. Baby teeth are sharp, so the foal must be taught he must not bite people.

The same words should be used for each command, such as "hold it," when the colt is to stand quietly; "come," to bring the colt to you; "easy," if the colt becomes restless and impatient. A halter can be put on the colt when he is two months old.

The eventual quiet, well-mannered colt results from slow, unhurried training. Your hard work will pay off and you will be able to enjoy your well-trained horse.