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Does anyone train their own horses?

10K views 67 replies 43 participants last post by  bilyeuamber 
#1 · (Edited)
Is it difficult to train? I'm sure it's a lot of work. Has anyone ever taught themselves how to train a horse? If you so did you learn from books? Sorry if this is a bad question but I had to ask. I'm new to owning horses and I have a trainer lined up where we are moving and everything but I just wanted to ask.

I of course want the best for my horses! I'm just trying to learn everything I can. I don't have them yet they are still with the guy I'm buying them from and one is only six months old. I have been told young ones are horrible to train and work with but I like a challenge and I don't ever give up on things!

Oh I have to add I do know not to ride her at that age either! So I'm just talking about ground manners and things like that.
 
#2 ·
i trained my own horse but for about half a year i had a trainer for me not so much for the horse but she helped me know when to correct him.. but then i had to quit lessons and just ride occasionally then i started teaching him western again and i say if a horse is trained to do something you want to start back up and you just have to condition them then go for it but if you are starting from scratch i would say either get a trainer or read ALOT of books.. it is alot of work to do any type of training by yourself but let me just say it is way worth it, it builds the bond you have with your horse and the horse comes to trust you more... good luck!!
 
#3 ·
I think that there are a lot of variables here. Horses are huge animals and even the nicest ones can harm you (even unintentionally). Unless you have a lot of experience with horses I'd not want to train my own horse. Our horse is boarded with our trainer and he's teaching us how to train him.

You can learn a lot of things from books. I think you can certainly add to knowledge you already have but there are so many things about horses that are best learned by seeing them in person. Some of the differences are very subtle and an experienced trainer would be best.

We found our trainer by asking around. He has a wonderful reputation in our area. He knows us, what we needed, and understands horses.
 
#4 ·
I've trained 3 horses from birth to 2 years old. Never saddle broke one but plan to give it a shot this spring.
Baby's are easy and not nearly as dangerous as a full grown horse. I bought a video by Clinton Anderson about getting them from birth to saddle breaking. I have 2 near 3 year olds I've started getting used to a saddle and they are doing well, but I'm not sure if I want to be the first one on their back. I have a trainer lined up if I chicken out :lol:
I sold my first baby when she was 2. The folks I sold her to have young children that can crawl all over her and ride her bare back from the day I dropped her off. When I knew she was to be a kids horse I made sure she was used to being touched all over, tail pulled and what ever else I could think of before I let her go. They ride her all over with just a halter and rein so I must have done something right :shock: I have no other training other than watching the videos and reading anything I can on the subject.
 
#5 ·
I've trained 3 horses from birth to 2 years old. Never saddle broke one but plan to give it a shot this spring.
Baby's are easy and not nearly as dangerous as a full grown horse. I bought a video by Clinton Anderson about getting them from birth to saddle breaking. I have 2 near 3 year olds I've started getting used to a saddle and they are doing well, but I'm not sure if I want to be the first one on their back. I have a trainer lined up if I chicken out :lol:
I sold my first baby when she was 2. The folks I sold her to have young children that can crawl all over her and ride her bare back from the day I dropped her off. When I knew she was to be a kids horse I made sure she was used to being touched all over, tail pulled and what ever else I could think of before I let her go. They ride her all over with just a halter and rein so I must have done something right :shock: I have no other training other than watching the videos and reading anything I can on the subject.

That is awesome to hear! I want to be able to ride bare back! I've always wanted a baby so he/she can grow up with us! I'm kind of scared getting an older one because you never know exactly how they were treated or trained. But we are getting the babies momma and she's 6 years old. No one has rode her since she's pregnant and had the babies so I'm not sure how she is.

I'm excited to learn all this! I learn better from trial and error then I do having someone teach me. I plan to read a lot of books and take a look at the videos as well though :)
 
#6 ·
I got my mare as a greenbroke 6-7 year old... so I guess I pretty much trained her, and I was pretty 'green' myself.

My colt, he's turning 3 this coming March... I've done all his work myself... The only help I've had since he was born has been books, computer articles, helpful hints my farrier gives me, and a few tips from a breeder who lives down the road.
My colt was extremely easy to saddle train. Right now, even though he's only two and a half, if I felt like riding him all I have to do is go catch him and put the stuff on him and he's ready to go. He's safe enough that I let my younger cousins ride him every now and then and will put little kids on his back bareback and let them sit on him. I jump on him bareback with him in the pasture completely free and he's never attempted to buck or rear. Right now, he hasn't been ridden in a while and I only ride him once or twice a month (I found that he does much better being ridden only once in a while instead of for thirty consdecutive days)... But I'm not getting on him or letting anyone on him again until he's three. He can be a horse this winter. Lol.

If the colt or filly is handled correctly and confidently and has respect for their handlers, I think it'd be pretty easy to break them.
 
#7 ·
It's great that you want to be part of everything that happens in your horses life. Being there and part of it really helps to build that first solid foundation for your relationship with a horse.
I've been training for a few years now and I started out on my own, but the reason why I'm really at where I am, is because I went with a reptuable trainer who really taught me a lot, and it's not something that you can get from reading or watching a video.
I would really reccomend finding a local trainer who is willing to work with you and your horses - to show you what to do, how and when to do it, what signs to look for in a horse in response to what you are doing, and how you should react to that response.
I'm not saying that books/videos aren't any good at all, but what if you horse responds completely different than what they've shown in the video or you've read in the book? Reacting negatively when you should postively or vice versa when you don't know what your horse is trying to say or tell you can lead to some serious disasters later or right away.
So, for the physical and metal safety of both you and your horse, I would really suggest getting some hands on work with you both. It's better than ANYTHING you can watch or read.
Congrats on the new horses, and I hope you enjoy them as much as any horse owner should. :)
 
#8 ·
I trained/am training my horse. I had someone who would help me out when I needed it, and he taught me a lot about training. I'd helped train horses before I got mine, but not all that much. For me, getting a trainer is not an option. I hardly have the money to pay board-I'm helping my parents with it, let alone paying for a trainer.

I was a very green rider when I started. It's taken so long because I had to learn how to really ride before I could really train him, even though I'd ridden for three years beforehand.

I say that if you're serious about horses, you have to train one eventually... But if you can, get some help along the way, whether they're training you how to train the horse, or they're on the horse.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Having only owned horses for a few years I had to learn how to train when I bought a then 3 year old. ( I was told he was five, but they fibbed! )

It was either that, or sell him after only owning him for two weeks, I was having such a time. :-(

I got busy and bought all the C Anderson dvd's and read and watched every RFDTV show there was. There wasn't as many trainers on RFD 3 years ago.

I did incorporate a trainer to help me canter him since I was too new at that and to help show me which leg aids to use when.

But, then it was all me.

This horse is now 6 and is the best trained horse I have. I am pretty proud of all we have accomplished.

It does take commitment, consistency, and patience.

I lacked the last at times, it can be frustrating, but, soon learned that when I was getting frustrated, to just stop everything I was doing, take a breath and SMILE at my horse! Until I felt the frustration leave. I wouldn't do anything else with him till I was calm. Then I would do something he knew by heart to help him and me stay relaxed.

It didn't take long for me to realize that if I was frustrated, so was my horse! Horses don't want to frustrate you, they are really trying to do what you want. It's up to us to find a way to make them understand without putting too much pressure on them.

If you can remember that, and to always stay safe, you will create a bond with your horse that nobody can take away! :D

So yes, you can train a horse pretty good just by using dvd's. But, if you can use a trainer, all the better!
 
#10 ·
It does take commitment, consistency, and patience.

I lacked the last at times, it can be frustrating, but, soon learned that when I was getting frustrated, to just stop everything I was doing, take a breath and SMILE at my horse! Until I felt the frustration leave. I wouldn't do anything else with him till I was calm. Then I would do something he knew by heart to help him and me stay relaxed.

It didn't take long for me to realize that if I was frustrated, so was my horse! Horses don't want to frustrate you, they are really trying to do what you want. It's up to us to find a way to make them understand without putting too much pressure on them.

If you can remember that, and to always stay safe, you will create a bond with your horse that nobody can take away! :D

So yes, you can train a horse pretty good just by using dvd's. But, if you can use a trainer, all the better!
All true :lol: you should also have the time to commit to it. I don't work outside the home and my horses are right outside. My first baby I spent massive amounts of time with. The next 2 (they are 3 weeks apart in age) I have done the basics but decided to let them be horses more.
Plan on being stepped on, run over, bit and kicked at. If you can maintain your calm, keep a clear head and not get angry or hurt to badly, your half way there :wink:

If you can find a local trainer by all means use him/her. Its not impossible to do it on your own though. If your planning on working your horse up to show or do some sort of higher trained events a trainer is probably very necessary. For the average family horse, a do it yourselfer can handle it.
In my mind any horse needs lots of time spent with it. The younger the horse the shorter the memory so more time needs to be spent.
 
#11 ·
Due to being raised on a ranch growing up, it was left to us as kids to work with our own and learn as we (brothers and sisters) go. There was lots of figuring out what worked, and what didnt. As we grew up we participated in 4-H and FFA. When it came time to "venture out" and leave home, some of the first jobs I had was working on other larger ranches as a ranch hand.

Working with a variety of much older and more experienced hands and trainers, I picked up things that worked for me from each of them. It wasnt until information started becoming easier to get a hold of that I was able to start traveling and exploring different aspects of horsemanship. I started building my own collection of horses, working and training them, and even moved onto helping other locals. Things backed up a little as I got older and started a different career which took up a lot of my time.
 
#12 ·
Well thanks for all the information!

I work from home and we're moving to a house that I can the keep the horses at so I can spend all the time in the world with them if I wanted to :) So theres no problem there.

I don't want to train for shows or anything I just want them for pleasure. Life as a military wife is stressful enough so showing would be a no go for now. I just love animals! I have six cats, two dogs, a cockatoo and two sugar gliders....horses were next on the list lol ;)
 
#13 ·
I train my own horses as well as train at a training facility for clients under a much more experienced trainer.

I can honestly say the WORST horses that come in for training are the ones who were "trained" by their owners who didn't have enough experience.
IMO, you can't read a book and go train a horse. A good training method comes from years of experience and knowing what to do next if something isn't working. This almost always requires a mentor in the beginning...someone who will push you enough to not hold your hand the whole time, but also knows when to step in and tell you what to do next if you just can't figure it out.

It's more than commitment, consistency, and patience.
It's knowledge, experience, common sense, good timing, and knowing when to push or lay off. It's compassion, always being a step ahead, and alert because in training, ANYTHING can happen. It's being savvy enough to know when a horse is ready for it's first ride and knowing when the horse is in the perfect place to stop for the day. These are all things no one will learn from a book or watching a TV show.
 
#58 ·
I train my own horses as well as train at a training facility for clients under a much more experienced trainer.

I can honestly say the WORST horses that come in for training are the ones who were "trained" by their owners who didn't have enough experience.
IMO, you can't read a book and go train a horse. A good training method comes from years of experience and knowing what to do next if something isn't working. This almost always requires a mentor in the beginning...someone who will push you enough to not hold your hand the whole time, but also knows when to step in and tell you what to do next if you just can't figure it out.

It's more than commitment, consistency, and patience.
It's knowledge, experience, common sense, good timing, and knowing when to push or lay off. It's compassion, always being a step ahead, and alert because in training, ANYTHING can happen. It's being savvy enough to know when a horse is ready for it's first ride and knowing when the horse is in the perfect place to stop for the day. These are all things no one will learn from a book or watching a TV show.
You have a very good point. I would never try and finish a horse in a discipline just because it does take alot of expierience. I know how to do the basics like ground driving and what to do when you first get on and stuff like that. I can prolly do a little bit of the giving to the bit and getting them to learn how to use their body correctly, but I would never go farther than what I really know.
 
#14 ·
I train my own horse out of lack of a trainer. My coach right now lives 3-4 hours away and occasionally does clinics. I am planning on trailering my horse and me to her as much as possible just to keep us on track.
I've trained 3 horses to third level dressage and one to 2'9 hunters doing basically the same thing though. I haven't had a consistent weekly lesson coach in about 2 years, and even then only for 4-6 months.
 
#15 ·
Sorry, I probably have some very badly trained horses but they are good enough for me. Me myself and I are all I have so it has to be good enough. Call me a bad horse owner but I figure it 4 horses that aren't being eaten, beaten or badly cared for.
 
#16 ·
I can see if you do dressage or other showing then yes a trainer may be needed but for pleasure and trails I didn't think it would hurt. The place where I leased had a ton of people that were trainers and around horses their whole lives and I watched and learned a lot from them. The horse I was leasing was basically at square one because the guy who owned him bought him and never rode him because he was afraid of him! This was a Master Seargant Marine, tough huh? But I learned a lot just from leasing him and he was such a stubborn brat! He came a long way and it broke my heart to let him go. The guy was moving back to his home state and took the horse with him. It upsets me because I know he was just going to let the horse go again and not pay any attention to him.

So I'm not completely oblivious to everything :)
 
#17 · (Edited)
I think as long as you are willing to stop and seek help when you are stuck you'll be fine. Its those that just stumble along without seeking information or assistance when needed that end up in a mess. Or worse end up selling the horse to some unsuspecting person who then ends up selling the horse to another unsuspecting person etc. etc. until the horse ends up at the slaughter house because it couldn't be trained or was trained badly enough to be dangerous.
Its good to have friends. I have one who trains horses for a living. Thank God she doesn't mind when I call to pick her brains :lol:
I asked her to finish green breaking my babys. She told me she would help but I have to do it :shock::shock:
I have to retract my earlier statement. I guess I'm not totally alone.
 
#19 ·
Well...yes it was since this "I can honestly say the WORST horses that come in for training are the ones who were "trained" by their owners who didn't have enough experience." was directed towards me.
I didn't mean to offend you, sorry if I did. I was just defending myself.
 
#20 · (Edited)
I wasn't directing that statement at anyone.
But it is true, and the key words there are "who didn't have enough experience"

You showed a perfect example of how this happens in post #17.
I doubt that you think a green rider should go out and train a green horse all by themselves.
I also doubt that you think any horse person should just go out and buy a baby without knowing exactly what they're getting into. Those are the EASIEST to mess up and I completely disagree with you when you say "babies are easy". :shock::-o
 
#22 ·
Oh I definitely will get help when I need it and like I said I do have a trainer lined up in VA when I move. We're not moving until February or March though so I wanted to start some things on my own here in NC so shes not deathly afraid of me when we go pick her up and take her with us on a 5 hour trip.

I'm the type of person who just gives up and sells an animal because I can't handle them. If that was the case I'd never have any! My animals all drive me crazy once in a while but I still love them no matter what

I hope I'm not causing any trouble, sorry if I am I didn't mean to I was just asking an honest question.
 
#24 ·
If your new to owning horses I would have recommended that you buy a horse that was already trained, but if you are going to buy a young one then I guess you are.

I don't know what your experience is with horses, like if have ridden for years but never owned one or anything but I would cautious about what you do.

I don't think training itself is very difficult at all. Although it does require a certain amount of basic knowledge, which you can get from books, but more than that it is important to know how to handle the situation if the horse does not do what was planned, which books cannot teach you. When you say a trainer do you mean someone who trains the horse, or who trains you to train the horse?

I bought a horse virtually untouched a few years ago and trained her myself without a trainer, but she was my third horse and i had worked with many others. Although she was pretty good as far as young horses go there were times where she did not do as planned, and she would freak out or get scared or just not understand. Horses can give lots of subtle cues that can be hard to recognise if you are not used to it, but its important to watch for them to know what is working with the horse and how they are going to react in the next few minutes. Books can teach you how to train a horse but not how to deal with the problems, because often your responses are impulse reactions or subconscious observations that you only learn through experience with horses.

I don't think training is hard itself but if you are not experienced with horses then things can go wrong. I would think carefully about getting such a young and untrained horse, and think about getting something a bit older and more trained that you can learn with without worrying about having to teach the horse. If you do get the young horse, do read books and watch videos, try and attend clinics and keep a trainer near to help when you need. If you don't feel totally comfortable and confident about doing something then don't do it, seek help.

Sorry if i didn't really help, I know a lot of people have replied and just wanted to note my opinion. Good luck.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I feel very confident and comfortable with it! I have been around horses, riding, training with someone beside me helping me and I've leased horses. This will be my first own horse. I have a trainer that will do both train me and the horse but nothing will be done without me right there with them! I know books can't teach you everything and I don't expect them to but I know they do help and also not every trainer is going to know everything about the horse. every horse is different! So it won't just take one person to tell me exactly what is right for that horse. I'll be the one around the horse everyday and I'll be the one who sees how she reacts and what shes like, they wont. Thats why I wanted to do as much as I can on my own.

I'm also not stubborn and ignorant and I'm not afraid to admit when I need help so when I can't do anymore the trainer will be there to help! This is just for now until I can get up to VA. We won't be there until February or March and she's here with the previous owner so I want to do as much as I can now before taking her. I want her to get to know us.
 
#26 ·
I re- broke/ trained my 5 yr old mare. It's A LOT of work.. im still in the process really. It deff paid off after all the falls and heart breaks .. I was gonna send her to her a professional but everyone told me some not so nice things >.> After all teh work and bonding, the ups and quite a few downs we've really clicked together and I dont think i'd have it any other way. Shes brought me over a 2'9 jump before and with other horses I wouldnt go past 1 1/2ft. So That tells you I trust her enough :P That was a one time thing to see what she could do. But last this...last? summer we were doing small 1-2ft courses. But now we've come back down to trot poles and small 6in-1ft to get her really trained in jumping.

I have to say taking a few lessons with her helped me A LOT cause they taught me how to control her gaits so on so forth. SO I recommend lessons if you want to train your horse yourself :]

sorry for the long story :P
 
#27 ·
i learned how to train my own horses by watching rfdtv. i never really had anyone to go out there with me and help me. there are many diffrent trainers on there. like clinton anderson. i love his techniques and they really work. using pressure points is the best way to train a horse, but thats my opinion.
 
#29 ·
"Difficult" or not isn't really the question, Some people have it more than others. I have been training horses, ponies and minis, working with rescue horses, off track horses, wild mustangs, starting young horses, riding, driving etc.. for over 12 years and find it comes naturally to me. What I cannot do is give a riding lesson to save my hide! I do not have the patience for people but I can work with any horse.

I did work under several riding instructors and just observed every little thing they did, every one does something different. I watched and decided what I liked, what I did not like, what would work for a quiet QH may not be the way to handle of OTTB. I read everything, I've watched different famous horse trainers and there different ways, Just soak up everything you can and then work with a horse. Don't be afraid to ask questions, always work from the ground up and remember every time you are with your horse, labeled "horse trainer" or not, you are either training or un-training your horse!
 
#33 ·
"Difficult" or not isn't really the question, Some people have it more than others. I have been training horses, ponies and minis, working with rescue horses, off track horses, wild mustangs, starting young horses, riding, driving etc.. for over 12 years and find it comes naturally to me. What I cannot do is give a riding lesson to save my hide! I do not have the patience for people but I can work with any horse.

I did work under several riding instructors and just observed every little thing they did, every one does something different. I watched and decided what I liked, what I did not like, what would work for a quiet QH may not be the way to handle of OTTB. I read everything, I've watched different famous horse trainers and there different ways, Just soak up everything you can and then work with a horse. Don't be afraid to ask questions, always work from the ground up and remember every time you are with your horse, labeled "horse trainer" or not, you are either training or un-training your horse!
Can I get an AMEN! This was a most awesome post.

And I LOVE that avatar!!
 
#30 ·
I have trained many of my own horses. Right off hand, I can only think of 1 that ended up being quite a ways from a really good horse. He is sweet and bombproof but VERY hot (my fault). It is challenging to train a horse and if you are inexperienced, I would advise against it. Send them to a trainer who you know is good and just keep tabs on them. Most trainers won't mind if you come and try them out, ride your horse, and just see how things are going. Training your own horse is an incredible feeling, but there are lots of mistakes to be made. It was said on another thread a long time ago but most of the time it is correct. green + green = black and blue. Just be on the safe side for your horse and yourself and get some help to get them trained.
 
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