How to Train a Two Year Old Horse

Training a 2-year old horse takes plenty of patience, education and dedication. Thoroughbred racehorses are often at their peak at this age, but this breed is an exception. Since 2-year-olds are not fully developed physically, this is a good time to lay the foundation for future training but not a suitable age for an intense program. Training should include plenty of ground work, but under-saddle training should not start until the horse is more mature.

Things You'll Need

  • Lunge line (2)
  • Bridle
  • Surcingle
  • Lunge whip
  • Saddle
  • Sugar cubes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Handle your horse on a daily basis. When a horse interacts with humans and other horses frequently, he is able to develop correct ground manners. This will make his training much easier in the long run. Help him learn about life around the barn. This includes grooming, tying and walking quietly next to the handler. Most of this training should have started when the horse was weaning, but 2-year-olds need reinforcement before moving on to more complex training.

    • 2

      Teach the horse to lunge. Attach a lunge line that is at least 25 feet long to the horse's halter. Allow the horse to travel in a circle for no more than 10 minutes in each direction. The main goal is to teach the horse to work at all three gaits while learning voice commands. It is especially important to communicate the meaning of "Whoa" at this phase.

    • 3

      Introduce the bridle. Use a plain head stall without reins and a gentle snaffle bit. Sugar cubes are the perfect reward when teaching a horse to bridle. They also encourage her to open her mouth to accept the bit. Be sure the bridle fits properly and is not too snug or too loose. Once she allows you to slip the head stall over her ears and is accustomed to the bridle, you can start long-lining or ground-driving your horse.

    • 4

      Ground-drive your horse. Slip a surcingle over his back and attach it like a girth (loosely at first). You don't want to scare him with the pressure, but if he's been blanketed over the winter, this step will probably not phase him. Buckle a lunge line to each side of the bit and slide the lines through the side of the surcingle. Standing behind the horse, drive him forward with only light pressure on the lines. This will be his first taste of rein pressure. Take your time with this step, making sure the horse is comfortable and working up to walk/trot transitions.

    • 5

      Introduce tack. After the surcingle and blankets, horses are often not phased by a saddle. Still, go slow and ensure the horse is quiet and comfortable while you gently place the saddle on her back. Do not over-tighten the girth. At first, leave the saddle on only briefly. Then, ask her to stand in the cross-ties with the saddle on for 20 minutes or so. Eventually, lead her around with the saddle on for five to 10 minutes.

    • 6

      Lunge under tack. Go back to the lunging step, but this time do so while the saddle is on. This will help the horse adjust to the weight and movement of the saddle.

    • 7

      Add weight to the stirrups. You will eventually mount the horse from the left side. To prepare her, start putting weight in the left stirrup by pushing down on it with your hand, while pressing on the saddle seat with your other hand. This simulates the sensation of a rider mounting up.