Draft Horse

1. 5 Responses to “What are the first steps in breaking a new draft horse?”

2. By barrel racer on Jul 17, 2008 | Reply

   I cant really answer this on the internet….I would like have to be there to help you….but anyways whenever your workign with her just end it on a good note and give her treats that she likes whenever she does anything good.
   I hope this helps and good luck.

3. By AmandaL on Jul 17, 2008 | Reply

   The best way to do it correctly is to have an experienced professional work with the foal.

   Sorry, but unguided and inexperienced amateurs should not be attempting to train any young horse for anything. Foals, weanlings, yearlings, two year olds; any green horse of any age - are far too impressionable/”scareable”/ and too easily ill-trained by people who aren’t ready.

   It’s great that you want to start this baby off right; at least you are responsible enough to realize that you need to seek out how to do it correctly, so please - go the extra mile and get the help of a successful, experienced young horse handler.

   You will develop a trusting relationship with her over time, if her training is done correctly and to build confidence.

   I have been riding, showing, teaching & training for 15 years…. I’ve been on 2 years that have had 3 rides on them; I’ve halter broke babies, but nothing in between - I’ve never raised or trained a young young horse, and I know if I were ever faced with the training a baby, I would hire a professional that works with babies regularly. I might have the experience to stop a bolter, or build confidence over jumps, or cross-discipline train; but when it comes to out-right breaking and starting - there’s no way I could possibly cross that line without help.

   And, incidnetally; she’s only 5 months old, that’s rather young to be weaned… why was she weaned so early?

4. By Danielle B on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply

   I have been training drafts for about 10 yrs now (wow, I am getting old) and drafts are really easy to train for the most part. Right now, work on bonding with her- give her treats, brush her, etc. The more time you spend iwht her, the more you will bond.
   Don’t be afraid to reprimand her though(she will get huge and MUST think that you are bigger than her or she can potentially hurt you badly- an out of control draft is a scary thing). As long as your good times are more than your disciplining, you will bond with a good relationship.
   My draft mare will follow me anywhere and run up to me when she is scared, but will slam on the breaks and immediately quit whatever she is doing with just a stern word-they need to know that while you are a friend, you are still lead mare and they need to listen to you.

   Back to training- work on putting a halter on her and off her- do not put pressure on it, but just slip it on and off. Once she is fine with the halter you can work on pressure. If she gives in to the pressure, just start walking and pulling slightly. If she freaks and backs up (which most horses will do) you can use a stout pole as leverage- you do not want her knowing that if she pulls she can get away from you- it is a bad habit to break them of later. You can also tie her to a pole for up to a 1/2 hr- let her get used to sitting and waiting- important for a driving horse.
   When you walk her, do voice commands iwth your actions such as walk on and whoa. Whatever commands do not matter, as long as you and her both know them. Not all drivers teach their horses those words for left and right. To get her used to new things and to bond with you more, walk everywhere with her. I walk my babies on the side of the road, away from horses, through scary tunnels and over tarps, puddles, etc.

   Once she is walking great with you, you can move on to trotting.

   If you are driving her, you can then go on to ground driving. I teach the riding ones that as well to get used to the cues without a person by their side. You need a sircingle and two lunge lines or long ropes. Stand behind her wiht a short whip and use your voice (which she should listen to by now) to get her to move.
   All of this can be done within the first year or two, and you can start training now.

   Once she gets old enough, hook up the cart and voilia! It is extremely easy to teach the basics of driving, especially with a horse that you work with a lot and trusts you.

   By the way- you can ride her too! I have a 17.2h gypsy and she is my 1st level dressage mare. We do a bit of driving as well.

   When did 5 months become too early to wean? Our mares, by their own choice wean their own foals at about 4-5 months. If the mares and foals were left together after that, usually they would form two bands- and no babies drinking after 5-6 months at the very latest.

5. By Mulereiner # on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply

   I always start the babies first in a simple walk around me and teaching the word whoa. They will not whoa at first and then I pull against them on the halter so they stop. Then I put them around me again at a walk and repeat till they stop still. With you wanting her for a driving animal, do not teach her to face you. Bad habit, don’t start.

   Then I move to leading, make sure they have that down to a T. Then move to long lines hooked to a halter. I use rope halters for this. I teach them, walk, turns, whoa, back, trot etc all from the halter. I desisitize with plastic bags and bubble wrap, whips all over them and then walking with a whip banging between their legs etc. Anything I can think of to desensitize them.

   I expose them to a driving animal and vehicle that is well trained and let them get the feel for it as it moves all around them.

   I also show them and take them to events with lots of noise and rukus early on. So that way when your baby huey decides at 2000lbs to run off, you have some basic commands and exposing done with them to help prevent that situation.

   Good luck!!

6. By cowboy on Jul 21, 2008 | Reply

   teach her to trust you if you haven’t got that you’ll never have nothing.If she trusts you,you can use whatever commands and she’ll respond.
   Never ever let her think there is something she cannot do,so you better be prepared to be able to lead the way.

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