[Livingthedream]

So, I am new to the horse world and would love any advice or tips you can give me!
Originally, I was planning to buy and older, well broke gelding to pleasure ride, but, a neighbor needed a favor - and in return- ended up getting given a gorgeous 2 year old QH of my choice. He has a halter on at the moment and we are dragging the lead to catch him for convenience. He was a little tricky to catch at first, but now is starting to "trust me" and enjoy my company (so I think!), he has started coming up to me on his own if he sees I'm giving my attention to another horse and loves the rubs and scratches. He follows me at his own compfortable distance, leads with me very, very well, and respects the lead... he's never pulled away from me yet... and seems to be quite curious about me and soft natured. My neighbor is working with me and the horse but I am just wondering some of the do's and don'ts from you more experienced owners while I am so early on with my own experience and his training.

ABSOLUTLEY ANY ADVICE AND TIPS ARE WELCOME, I'M VERY EAGER TO LEARN!

[Horsegirl878]

A couple of questions... A) How much experience have you had with horses and B) how trained is this horse? Just wondering, because in general a green horse + a green rider aren't the best combination... No offense or anything, just a little concerned, because if you don't know what you're doing (and I'm not saying that you don't), you could wind up getting hurt.

[EVOO]

DON'T number 1: DON'T leave a halter AND A DRAGGING LEAD on a horse in a paddock.

DO number 1 (largely based on the fact that don't number 1 even had to be given): Get a GOOD TRAINER, not your neighbor, to help you. If your neighbor doesn't have brains enough to 1) not give a baby to a green owner and 2) not tell you to get the lead off that horse he/she is not going to do you or the horse any favors.

[Livingthedream]

Thank you for your concern, I rode a lot growing up, then moved to a large city and didn't for quite some time. I am not experienced with training in any way and like I said, he is my first horse, but also do not plan to train him myself. I understand the work involved and the experience that is needed to accomplish anything with him. I took him in - in return - for a favor I did for my neighbor, whom which is a breeder and true horseman. He is starting him for me and working with us everyday... I would not attempt to do this alone, and in no way feel I have the experience to do so. I am just curious to what I can do to build a bond and trust with him.

Thanks for your reply

[greitzer]

I too believe that a green horse should not be matched with a green person, BUT I started out with a green horse too as my first! I wouldn't recommend it but I know the feeling of excitement and take what you can get! I started with a yearling and he was basically the same way your 2 yr old is..... To start, you should be spending a lot of time walking him around, rubbing/petting him (face, neck, butt). Please do work with him while someone is around though. Being so young, he may get jittery or decide that he doesn't like something. Once you can catch him well, walk him, pet him, maybe try rubbing his legs, belly....and then brushing him. Introduce a brush slow to him, he may have never seen one before. Move very slow and calm around him. Try to work with him without any other horses around, it can get dangerous if you are focusing on him and not paying attention to the others around you. For now, I would focus on little things like that, untill he seems comforatable with you handling him. Please BECAREFUL, but have fun!

[cindyf]

While I think it's great your neighbor gave you this horse and is willing to help you get him "trained", I do think it's probably best to think about moving the horse and finding a trainer to work with your horse and you. While I know and understand that your neighbor/friend is a true horseman, it's probably best to move the horse anyways, get him exposed to a different environment and get him progressing into a usable horse. Things can happen that may put a strain on your relationship with this neighbor/friend and it's probably best to move on and have a pro work with you and the horse. It's also a good idea to start taking riding lessons. Just because of your experience when you were younger doesn't mean you have retained any of that and it's a good idea to learn how to ride again. Riding a young green horse will be alot different from riding a well broke been there done that horse. Young or green horses need a consistant rider, consistent in their cue's, seat, legs and hands, if your not a balanced rider you will be giving your green horse conflicting cues which will only hinder your training and or cause frustration between horse and rider.

Do I think this is a good idea to keep a young untrained horse when your not experienced........HECK NO. Do I think it could work....sure, but you have to be willing to spend the time and money to have it done correctly.

Good luck!

[EVOO]

My concern isn't so much the horse's training, but rather its care. One can be very good at training and still not be a very good trainer. A good trainer will be able to give you tips and information about how not only to train your new horse, but also care for him properly. A good trainer will talk to you about things he/she sees you doing that are not safe or or in the best interest of your horse. Something, again, your neighbor obviously does not have the capacity to do given he has not advised you against leaving a lead rope dragging from your horse in it's paddock.

[Livingthedream]

Thank you all for your advice. I was very dissapointed in the first few replies. It seems to me that if you're not "born in a barn" you should not own a horse and certainly not try to learn about owning a horse. Some people are so opinionated. I am desperatley trying to learn every little thing I can. There is a first for everyone and this is mine, all I want is tips and advice, not to be judged and put down. I am a registered social worker and I could'nt imagine telling a young woman she shouldn't be a mother because she does not have the experience to do so. Instead I would try to teach her everything I know, and help her feel confident.... which is what I was looking for from your forum. Thank you so much greitzer for your inspiration... whether I decide to sell him off or keep him and work with him for the next hundred years has not been decided yet, but all I am asking for is advice to build a bond with him.

[Moostang]

Originally Posted by EVOO

. Something, again, your neighbor obviously does not have the capacity to do given he has not advised you against leaving a lead rope dragging from your horse in it's paddock.

I have to disagree with this, I have known a lot of people that do this with no problems and results in a horse that knows to give to pressure and not panic if they step on a lead and can't move their head. This was a must on my horse when they first brought him in from the range otherwise they had to rope him every time or corner an already scared horse. However it should be done in a paddock or stall, not pasture, and in a safe area where the rope can not be caught up.

As for tips, I suggest a lot of reading. If you are going to work with your neighbor on training horse (sounds like you are decided) then I would ready up on some training books and even on here and experiences. This will at least get you an outside opinion just in case your neighbor inadvertently teaches you something wrong (lets face some of us think we know everything). Also don't be afraid to ask "Why" and don't just settle for "because it does" or "because I said so". Learning the why helps you to understand and take things further.

[Lopinslow]

i'm sorry you are offended by honesty, but many of us have seen first hand how very bad "green horse + green rider" usually turns out. It is wonderful that you want to learn about horses, but it is generally highly recommended to do by taking lessons and with a been there done that, BROKE horse.

telling a woman she shouldn't be a mother because she isn't experienced is a WHOLE lot different than this type of situation. Horses generally weigh at or over 1000lbs and can kill someone in a blink of an eye if they so chose. They can even seriously injure of kill someone without meaning to!
so, you take all that into consideration and add a young, unhandled and untrained horse that will test the limits even WITH an experienced person together with an inexperienced person that doesn't know how to read their subtle signals, properly correct issues and discipline at the right time with the right amount, deal with daily problems, etc... and it spells disaster.