As the baby grows and develops into a yearling, they start to get much bigger.
You have decisions to make at this point.
First of all, you have to decide whether or not you are going to train the baby yourself in which case you are going to make sure you have all the equipment necessary for starting the training process.
You will need a lead chain, lunge line and eventually the equipment to long line the colt.
These are the beginning steps in training.
You also have to make sure you have the riding apparel you will need such as jodphurs, boots, working gloves, and chaps.
It would be beneficial to make sure you have a bull pen or a small area to start training in as babies will tend to pull you around a bit.
In a big ring, you may end up getting more exercise than the colt.
Another choice you have is to put the baby in training with a professional.
You will need to research barns and trainers.
You will want to interview them as far as monthly charges and inspect the barn to see how it is kept up.
If you choose this route, you will need to budget for board and training, vet bills, shoeing bills and other unforeseen circumstances which may arise.
Generally, a baby is taken out of the field and put into training at about 15 months of age.
Sometimes, a colt will have to stay in the field a bit longer if they are on the small side to let them grow a bit more.
Others are of the theory that you bring them in and begin training.
After they are taught and learn what they are supposed to up to this point, they can be turned back out into the field to do some more growing.
Remember, if you do decide to train yourself, it takes a lot of time, patience and effort.
The baby will not understand what you are asking of him.
It takes repetition.
You do not necessarily need to work them a long time each day as they are young and their bones are still forming, but you will want to work them consistently.
Usually, at this stage, 5 or 10 minutes a day is good.
But, you have to make sure you do it each and every day.
The main key to being successful at getting a horse to listen and follow your instructions is patience and trust.
Spend time talking to the baby and get him to learn to trust you.
You have decisions to make at this point.
First of all, you have to decide whether or not you are going to train the baby yourself in which case you are going to make sure you have all the equipment necessary for starting the training process.
You will need a lead chain, lunge line and eventually the equipment to long line the colt.
These are the beginning steps in training.
You also have to make sure you have the riding apparel you will need such as jodphurs, boots, working gloves, and chaps.
It would be beneficial to make sure you have a bull pen or a small area to start training in as babies will tend to pull you around a bit.
In a big ring, you may end up getting more exercise than the colt.
Another choice you have is to put the baby in training with a professional.
You will need to research barns and trainers.
You will want to interview them as far as monthly charges and inspect the barn to see how it is kept up.
If you choose this route, you will need to budget for board and training, vet bills, shoeing bills and other unforeseen circumstances which may arise.
Generally, a baby is taken out of the field and put into training at about 15 months of age.
Sometimes, a colt will have to stay in the field a bit longer if they are on the small side to let them grow a bit more.
Others are of the theory that you bring them in and begin training.
After they are taught and learn what they are supposed to up to this point, they can be turned back out into the field to do some more growing.
Remember, if you do decide to train yourself, it takes a lot of time, patience and effort.
The baby will not understand what you are asking of him.
It takes repetition.
You do not necessarily need to work them a long time each day as they are young and their bones are still forming, but you will want to work them consistently.
Usually, at this stage, 5 or 10 minutes a day is good.
But, you have to make sure you do it each and every day.
The main key to being successful at getting a horse to listen and follow your instructions is patience and trust.
Spend time talking to the baby and get him to learn to trust you.