Progressing with a Young Horse

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Working with young horses is always a journey, full of rewarding moments and challenges. Young horses like Victor, a green five-year-old, have their ups and downs—periods of focus, followed by distractions. Their path to balance and coordination requires time, patience, and plenty of repetition.

When I first introduced Victor to leg yields a few months ago, he found it challenging to connect the left leg aid to the right rein, a common hurdle for young horses learning leg yields. However, after consistent, patient practice, his coordination has noticeably improved. He’s beginning to understand the balance between aids, which is a significant milestone. Many don’t realize how much time and consistency goes into building strength and skills in a young horse; each training session builds on the last, creating muscle memory and boosting his stamina. Whether it’s balancing in the canter or mastering a leg yield, each small step forward is a victory, making consistency the key to laying a solid foundation for young horses.

Victor’s progress highlights how routine and structure help him stay engaged and better anticipate and enjoy his work. Establishing this discipline and rhythm is crucial to training young horses, as they thrive on knowing what to expect each day. Victor’s journey is ongoing, and it’s been exciting to watch him grow into his potential. For those interested in learning more about training young horses, check out my Groundwork Essentials Course, where I cover the exercises and strategies I use to build a young horse’s foundation.

Here are Some Tips for Working with Young Horses (or any horse)

If you’re bringing along a young horse, remember that these small milestones, like mastering a leg yield or holding balance in the canter, come from countless patient hours. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Be Patient and Consistent: Progress takes time, so celebrate the small wins and remain steady in your approach.
Incorporate Groundwork: Groundwork is invaluable, especially with young horses. It provides a foundation of trust and communication.
Focus on Balance and Connection: When riding, focus on helping your horse find balance and stay connected to your aids, rather than demanding perfection.
Adapt to Their Needs: Young horses have off days, just like we do. Adjust your expectations according to their focus and energy levels on any given day.

Incorporating these principles into your training will set a solid foundation for your horse. Building trust, discipline, and consistency is key to helping them enjoy and succeed in their work.

Thanks for following along with Victor’s progress, and I hope you find inspiration in your own horse’s journey!

Happy Riding!

Amelia

P.S. Don't forget to check out Groundwork Essentials! Inside I go over step-by-step how to establish trust and communication with your horse, give tips for trailer loading, foundational exercises for young horses, and more! Enrollment is ending soon and I don't want you to miss out. Check out the course here.