Care/training for my yearling gelding?

Question

I've got a 21 month old appendix QH gelding, who is the calmest horse I've ever seen. The other day I tossed a full-body blanket on him without anyone holding him, and he paid no attention to it at all. Just stood there while I fitted it to him. I believe he will be a hunter, but want to try him out in other styles too. Probably going to be a dressage horse as well, possibly some contesting. I believe I could probably get on him without a problem, but I have to have him ready for it as far as training. I don't have a round pen, and if I use driving lines then I will have to borrow them. I have a curcingle and cavesson, but they haven't done be any good so I won't be using them. I am asking for tips in getting him to longe in the pasture; he doesn't get the idea of running in a circle and not standing next to me. Also, what tack? I think I will probably start with a tom thumb, and a regular western bridle and saddle. If english, I will probably use a regular o-ring.

Do these sound right? I've got a hackamore, but it doesn't fit his TB head. (he is definitely more TB than QH). Tips for training in groundwork and riding would be much appreciated. I've been riding most of my life, but I've never trained a yearling by myself. The only other thing was how often do I need to clean his sheath? I've only ever had mares -should have gotten a gelding sooner :) - and I don't know a lot about keeping him clean and healthy. thanks to everyone and God bless!

Answer 1

Hi SSR
You have a grand horse there! What fun he will be to train. I never use a round pen,I much prefer lungeing. Attach a nice lunge line to the caveson or halter side ring,, and another lead shank to his lead ring of the halter>> and then to a volunteer. They should walk in ever increasing sized circles to get him to go out there,while you stay in the center,moving your feet in a very small circle. A pop from a lunge whip is approprate when aimed at his girth area, never at his face rump hocks or other places a normal riding aid would be felt! Voice commands you will use later like walk, whoa! Good boy,trot,and easyyyy boy are very good to implant now. When you have the one direction good, reverse the clipand go the other way so you have a two-directional horse:) Keep him out there and do not ask him to come in. Soon he will lunge easily,so you can add a few x rails for fun and agility. He sounds like a lamb, so just show him how and enjoy. I use the circingle to set side reins and let him get a feel for his snaffel egg butt bit, the ones with elastic are super and gentle too. Then replace with his saddle and lunge a bit more, making sure his "whoa:" and :good boy! voice commands are good and solid.
One bit you will love for all diciplines is the o ring or egg butt. A Tom Thum can come later when he grows into it. The hackamore can go back on the shelf:) You'll like a bit better.
Start in the saddle you feel best in. You can always have a friend lunge you the first few times, he will be safe and quiet doing what he feels good in.
You can buy tea tree sheath cleaner from statelineor other tack shops, and reccomended use is once a month.
This guy sounds like a lot of fun, and i bet he does every dicipline you ask for. Do you feed treats like carrots? I like to, it starts them chewing and they get all settled and happy. Luck!
Link below is super!

Answer 2

Why are you starting your horse so early? He's just a baby !! He isn't old enough yet to have any weight on his back or be forced to run in small circles in a round pen or anywhere else. Let him grow up !!! If you want to do some ground work with him, that's good, but it should be limited to teaching him to stand for grooming, clipping and the like. Teaching your horse to load and unload from a trailer is also a good skill at this age. As for sheath cleaning, you can buy a product that is made specifically for this in most tack and feed stores- it's called Excalibur, like King Arthur's sword. Follow the directions for use that are on the label- usually, it is used once a month on horses that are competing or are being bred, and once annually on horses that don't get a lot of exposure to dirt. Use WARM water, NOT a cold hose for rinsing, and you may want to consider giving your horse a tranquilizer the first time you attempt to clean him. Your horse needs to be at LEAST 3 before you even THINK about starting him under saddle or even longing him- one of the reasons we keep seeing tragedies like the one that happened to Barbaro is because horses are not allowed to become physically mature before they are asked to work. Your horse's bones are still soft and growing at his age, and they can't take the stress of hard work- I know he may look strong, but he isn't. When you finally do start him under saddle, a Tom Thumb is a mighty strong bit for a green baby that doesn't know anything. You are better off starting with a simple ring or egg-butt snaffle. You will need to learn how to longe a horse properly if you want to start your horse yourself- and yes, you will need your surcingle and cavasson, and I would plan on borrowing the long lines, as you indicated you would do, otherwise you may have a hard time teaching your horse to steer and respond to rein signals. Hope this helps you. Good luck !!

Answer 3

Your horses should be started in a snaffle bit.
The tom thumb is a combination leverage and snaffle and they are not the best thing for starting a horse in. A plain snaffle is much better. Direct rein with him until he learns and hten you can moce into one of the western curb type bits and teach neck reining. That is how most western trainers start their colts is in plain snaffles.
Lungeing can be taught with a lunge line a whip and a well fitted halter. Get a book on starting young horses and it will have detailed instructions on how to lunge.
Ground driving is a great way yo get them used ot hte idea of rein cues and things with out being on them .
Good luck nad have fun with you horse.

Answer 4

he's a little young at the moment...you shouldn't rush him, even if he seems ready, otherwise, you'l have one sour horse on your hands in a few years...Don't put him in a hackamore either, start off with some sort of a loose ring snaffle...use the most gentle bit possible.

Answer 5

you have a great horse there,,just go slow on the horse to train

Answer 6

I would tranq him, because that's the best way to get a horse to do anything, expecially load on to a trailer (blindfolds also help).