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Member
Posts: 12
| Hi guys,
I just purchased 2 5 year olds (half siblings) that have been raised together. Their previous owner spent no time with them so they have very limited handling...as in barely halter broke...and calling them halter broke is very generous. I will be picking them up in the next week. I have plenty of experience breaking/training colts, so I am not worried I am in over my head or anything like that. I was just curious if any of you had experience with breaking a more mature horse with limited handling. They are both very good natured animals and seem very willing to learn. The first step will be getting them separated from each other and then getting started on ground work. Any input on things you would do differently with an unhandled 5 year old than an unhandled 2/3 year old? I expect the process to either be easier than the normal 2/3 year old or way more complicated due to the amount of time these two have had to just be horses, doing things their way. I'm always trying to learn new methods/techniques of colt starting, so if you want to share some of the things you do, feel free. I would love to hear what works or doesn't work for you. Any input is very much appreciated. Thanks! |
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 Buttered Noodles Snacker
Posts: 4377
 
Location: NC | My experience with horses started later is they tend to be lazier and more hard headed... I had one that after a year of training from a colt breaker and then a barrel trainer would ride along decent and then when he was done he was done!! and would start rearing, lounging, backing, stiffing up, etc... So sold him to a trainer.
Horse I have now was started lightly as a 3.5 year old. She is sweet and seems good minded and easy going. but is LAZY and hardheaded. She was close to impossible to get to lope when I started working her this fall (her 4 year old year). I literally would have to chase her with a lounge whip to get her to lope whether someone was on her or not. Luckily I found a trainer who has got her going forward much better so I am keeping my fingers crossed. But he told me that ones started later are harder because they are set in their ways and tend to be lazy and hardheaded. My girl does seem to free up more when she is less confined. So I am hoping more trails and riding in my friends big open arena will help.
but I am sure all horses are different this has just been my experience. Good luck.
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
 
Location: Texas | I do not like breaking older horses nor will I. They are already so set in their ways. IMO they would have lots of tie time, saddle time, bitting up time before I ever decided to try to ride them. Young horses are way softer than older horses learn faster give up up faster etc. |
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Member
Posts: 12
| Thanks for the input! I am getting a heck of a deal on the two, so thought they would be worth a shot. There will for sure be lots of time tied to a tree (no way I am going to risk trailer destruction if it goes poorly lol) and general ground work. I am hoping one advantage will be that I can skip the mental break/time off you would normally give a 2-3 year old before starting on the pattern. That being said..these two may need one..you never know. They are bred too nicely to not be given a chance though. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | When my husband was day working on ranches a lot back in the day, him and his buddy would buy cheap older geldings. 4-6yrs old. 99% of them made excellent horses. They would ranch on them for a summer and sell them for huge profit after the fall cattle work was done. The key is NOT to pansy foot around them. Get them broke, show they you expect work out of them. Make them have a good work ethic, just don't give them a choice. Make them tired, all the time. They are old enough mentally and physically to handle it. |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I like breaking older horses in that they come along a lot quicker and don't learn any differently than a young horse. I'm working on an older donkey (not welded) that's a rescue that's in the same shape as yours right now and it's amazing how quick he's coming along. If you think about it, all the mustang at the Makeover events aren't 2 year olds and they turn out just fine.
Biggest thing is to remember they learn by repetition not time. So set up scenarios where you can do things a few times in a row, several times a day. I usually will try to work on them twice a day for the first few weeks. Even if it only takes 30 seconds, it's making an impact. The shorter, more frequent the better.
I've found I can do a LOT while working on them while they eat. They accept things much quicker and easier that way. I work on handling then but I also eventually work on moving hips and shoulders then too.
Don't automatically start at the head. Some horses are more comfortable with touching their withers or shoulders first. Every horse is different. Figure out where their comfort zone is and work from there. And find the itchy spots! Work on those often because those are gold to getting some trust!
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! I love project horses like that!
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Pick Me Pick Me
Posts: 2052
Location: Somewhere between the badlands and worselands | I just got a halter broke 5 year old also. As soon as I get him here and start working him I'm going to be doing a video diary tracking his progress. Good luck and keep us updated. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | I bought one a lot like you just described late last year. She was a late 4yo, had never once been separated from her mother, and like you said, calling her "halter broke" was over estimating her training.
But.... She was pretty and the price was right! Lol!
She has been the easiest horse to bring along. She never once had anxiety over leaving her dam. Meshed with her new pasture buddy just fine. Desensitized quickly. She is a tad bit lazy, but I think that has a lot more to do with her personality and would not have been helped by starting her any earlier. She is riding great for me though, and is willing to please. I think with a few finishing touches she is going to make a solid kids horse. |
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