How much training time??

[wantminimore]

How much time do you spend each day when training a yearling? I've been working with mine but don't want to over do it time wise.

 

[Katiean]

When I was 15 my dad bought me a 9 month old QH. All my friends were out riding and mine was not rideable. So I spent a lot of time with her. I tought her halter. I lounged her. We played tag. There was no time limit that I spent with her. I think if you are making your training sessions work then I would keep it to 30 mins. but if you are spending time with your yearling, he will accept training without even knowing what hit him.

 

[kaykay]

We do not work show horses everyday especially yearlings. We spend just a few minutes per week working on trotting and standing for halter. Older horses are worked 3-4 times per week depending on what they need. I honestly have only had a couple yearlings that had to be worked to condition (late in the year). Most yearllings keep themselves in pretty good shape with a good feed program and plenty of turnout.

 

[Magic]

Everything you do with a horse, you are training them, so if you are talking about the time beyond conditioning/exercise, then you could spend quite a bit of time with your yearling, as Katiean said.

Don't overdo any one thing (setting up for halter, etc), but there are tons of things that you can do with your youngster to make him/her a better citizen. Getting them used to clippers, having their feet handled, loading in a trailer, backing up, sidepassing, leading at your side no matter the speed, etc. Even a simple grooming session is essentially training-- the horse has to stand still and not push into your space. Mix it up, and it will be interesting for both of you.

 

[wantminimore]

It has just started to warm up here and i've just started doing some work with him. I've been clipping him some and taking him out of the barn yard and away from the other horses for walks (walking and whoa). It's been just for short time periods and with the weather, I know I won't be doing it everyday. I just don't want him to get bored with it, although today he didn't want to go back into his fence area when we were done with our walk.

 

[midnight star stables]

Everything you do with a horse, you are training them, so if you are talking about the time beyond conditioning/exercise, then you could spend quite a bit of time with your yearling, as Katiean said.

Don't overdo any one thing (setting up for halter, etc), but there are tons of things that you can do with your youngster to make him/her a better citizen. Getting them used to clippers, having their feet handled, loading in a trailer, backing up, sidepassing, leading at your side no matter the speed, etc. Even a simple grooming session is essentially training-- the horse has to stand still and not push into your space. Mix it up, and it will be interesting for both of you.

I just want to really second this! Excellent post!

 

[TripleDstables]

I spent all the time I could with my mare as a yearling. I made everything fun though, and I never spent too much time on one thing so I kept it interesting.

She is 4 now, and she still remembers everything we did and loves it. (I haven't worked on it with her since she was a yearling until now)

It all depends on the approach and the demeanor of the horse you're working with.

 

[Taylor Jo]

I've been spending about 5 min. 5 day's a week for my yearlys doing halter and work them out a few minutes to get them the bugs out before we do it. They keep in pretty good shape on they're own though, playing with each other. When they get "better" I'll cut it down to 3 day's a week. Of course we do other things to, like getting used to clippers, grooming, walking, trotting, playing with them. I like giving them individual time so they know their special too it's my time to be with them and have my full undivided attention. Good luck and have fun, TJ

 

[JWC sr.]

I have to agree with the other posters on spending time with your yearling, the more the better as far as doing different things with them and de-sensitizing them to them. But if you are referring to actual round pen or golf cart work that is a different matter.

We work our yearling in one or the other 5 days a week (Monday-Friday), they start with 10 minutes on the golf cart or 5 minutes each way in the round pen. Eventually they are worked up to 20 minutes on the golf cart and 10 minutes in the round pen as they get in shape each way. This coupled with proper feed regimen along with a few minutes a day setting them up and working the ears and wraps at night etc. works well for us during the show season and for about 60 days prior to the season.

Hope that helps

 

[wantminimore]

Thanks for the replies

I don't show so this training isn't for that, it' just the basic stuff. I have a little wooden "bridge" that covers a small ditch and he goes over that pretty good. We've mostly just been going for short walks, getting him out and around different things, walk, whoa, stand, back up. I've been having a lot of fun with him, we had our walk and an hour or so later I went out again and got him for another one, I think he enjoys it as much as I do.

 

[JWC sr.]

I bet he does enjoy the work, we have always found that at least 99% of the horses enjoy tasking and challenges. Sounds like you are really having fun. Hope you continue to have fun with your lil. guy.

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

Sounds like you are very devoted to him, he is very lucky to have you.