| Everyone knows that the big money races in | | | | We also do some free lunging and free jumping, mainly |
| Thoroughbred racing are run by the 2 year olds. There | | | | to evaluate their gaits and jumping ability. This is done in |
| is a lot of controversy about whether or not they are | | | | short 15 - 20 minute sessions 2 - 3 times a week. |
| ready and certainly some of the events in the recent | | | | Once we see how they are reacting to this training |
| past might suggest that they are not. Thoroughbreds | | | | and how willing they are to do what we ask, we can |
| typically grow faster than Warmbloods, and I do not | | | | decide how long to continue. Several of our young |
| know about Arabians, Quarter Horses, or other | | | | warmbloods have responded so quickly and easily that |
| breeds. I do know that it is very important that the | | | | we have only worked with them for a few sessions |
| growth plates are closed and that the horse is | | | | and then left them alone until the spring of their 3rd |
| physically ready to do the work being asked or there | | | | year. We want to see that they are comfortable with |
| are likely to be injuries at some point in the training. The | | | | the training and that they understand and respond well. |
| mental maturity should also be considered, but I don't | | | | It is great when they are curious about what is |
| think that some people would agree with me. | | | | happening and like the attention of the training - these |
| We do not do anything different with our 2 year olds | | | | horses seem to want to do what you are asking and |
| the first 6 - 8 months than we did when they were | | | | are just waiting for the next new lesson. This is what |
| yearlings. They are mainly living outside with occasional | | | | we are trying to achieve with every young horse, |
| trips into the barn for the farrier, vet, or grooming. They | | | | some don't need a lot of repetition to get there while |
| might also go to a breed show, so we will work with | | | | others require frequent, short lessons. A lot of patience |
| them in-hand and they will be required to get a bath, | | | | is sometimes required of the trainer, but we really |
| have their face trimmed, main pulled, and load on a | | | | strive to make the training fun and not stressful to the |
| trailer. Otherwise they are left alone to continue | | | | young horse. It really pays off later when we start |
| growing and just be a horse. | | | | asking for more and there is a relationship of trust |
| The latter part of their 2 year old year we will start | | | | already established. |
| training them about the lunge line and voice commands. | | | | What the colt learns in youth he continues in old age. |