Home <> About Stern Ranch <> Feeding and Exercise <> Early Training & Conditioning <> Tips <> Links

At the Stern Ranches we believe the training of a race horse begins within hours of its birth! It has been proven that the initial "imprinting" is of vital importance.

It is a simple but important procedure. All it takes is a few minutes to gently pat (rub) the newborn foal all over its body each day for at least the first week, and also lift and touch its legs and hoofs. Slow and gentle is the key, and if you reach an area of resistance, back off it and slowly work your way back so that you are able to touch their entire body.

Pay particular attention to the areas around its face, eyes, ears, mouth etc. When you lift its legs be sure you bend them gently and do not put any stress on the joints. Also support the foal when it is on 3 legs so it does not panic or think it will fall (a good idea to always balance young horses by supporting the opposite side, counter-balancing the opposite side of the leg you are lifting.

Back to the top

FOOT WORK:

Another trick that works well, is as you lift the leg say the word "up", and gently rock the horse in the opposite direction to take some of its weight off the lifted foot (still giving support on the opposite side). Do not attempt to lift the leg high at first. Even getting the "weight off" the foot is an initial step in the right direction.

When you are able to lift the leg and bend it at almost a 90º angle, gently tap on the hoof to simulate a ferrier at work. As you progress, you should eventually be able to stretch the front leg out and support the hoof on your knee (similar to the position it will eventually need for trimming and shoeing). Shoers do not hesitate to trim our horses regularly because they know we do this work. Your horse shoer will also bless you for this early work! In trimming frequency is very important. Don't think you can forget a young foals feet until they are yearlings right before a sale and then get them right, it just will not happen. Here at the Stern Ranch we trim our weanlings and yearlings every 3 to 4 weeks.

Back to the top

LEADING:

We know that young foals will naturally follow close at the side of their mother when leading them, but we from the start put a halter on the foal and lead it with its dam. We do this for several reasons:

1. It is good early training, and is the safest method.
2. As the foal gains confidence in its surrounding it will get bolder and may not follow closely, wander away and get into trouble.

We teach the young foal to lead, turn, back and stop from the very beginning. CAUTION:

Always be aware of the foal's fragile body, especially the neck vertebra. Never pull or twist on the young foal's halter, use gentle pressure at most.

Think of teaching the young horse to lead with "military marching discipline". Stop prior to each turn, and say the word "stop" or "ho". Let them stand a few seconds or minutes then say the word "turn" and turn at a right angle, stop again ("Ho") then say "walk" and proceed to walk in the direction you intended.

Teaching your foal "patience" is one of the most important lessons you can ever teach a prospective racehorse! It will pay dividends when they are in the starting gate and need to "stand" quietly. Most top trainers will tell you the most important part of a horses gate work is to "stand in the gate", and this is the greatest "foundation work" you can do, starting at a very early age.

We constantly get compliments from owners and trainers regarding how sensible and smart our horses act at the track. We work at it.

Remember in training: The horse should never have any "Independent Thoughts"! The animal should constantly be focused on you and have your undivided and complete attention. Not to say you can teach a less intelligent animal to be smarter (Class will always out) but you can give them their "maximum brain power" by working the "Brain Muscle" early on.

Back to the top

STANDING, BACKING & "COME HERE"

These 3 simple ground commands are perhaps the Horseman's Best Friends. You gain positive control over any horse young or old in absolutely the shortest possible time. You can always come back to this "basic training" when any situation gets tense or unruly.

Remember to always give a verbal command prior to any other signal, never underestimate the intelligence of any horse or their ability to understand verbal commands. Naturally you will find some horses smarter than others (I must admit we have been spoiled at the Stern Ranch by being privileged in the last few years of having to work with our Dash for Cash, First Down Dash, Beduino, Signature, Chicks Beduino horses).

1. COME HERE - You would be best starting with this command while standing directly in front of the horse. Use a verbal command as well as a "body signal". The verbal is "Come Here" while simultaneously taking a step backward as the "body signal". When the horse has the "command down" you will have refined the commands so that you can without a lead or halter, and with just a slight backward tilt of your head and a whisper command, have your horse come straight to you and stand in front of you.

If the foal resists at first don't "Yank hard on their neck" (remember the above warnings) and if they pull back, go with them. Be careful not to let the foal "flip". The byword is always slow and gentle, never ever rush. If after a few times you still meet with resistance, move slightly to one side and again repeat the command. This side pull has the effect of throwing the foal in a balance position where you have the advantage and they have to take a step in your direction. That is all you need. . . one step at a time is your victory. Don't forget to compliment the horse and take a slight pause and let everyone relax for a few minutes after even the smallest victory. They need rewards!

Don't forget to repeat all instructions and teachings on "both sides of the horse". Horses have no physiological means of "cross relating commands". I will go into this more in subsequent chapters relating to my studies and findings in the areas of "Horse Psychology".

2. BACKING & STANDING - After your foal has a pretty basic idea of "Come Here" you can teach them to "Back". Again issue the verbal command "Back" prior to the physical body signals (in training you always give "Command prior to Execution").

After your horse has the above commands pretty well mastered. Mix up the Come Here and Back commands. The more variance the better ie: one back one come here, then two backs and two come heres, then one back and three come heres etc. etc.

Always end your session on a "good note" with something the foal does well, stand them with their complete focus on you and then change the tone and compliment and reward them profusely.

Remember consistency and daily routine is very important. It is better to work with your foal 15 minutes each day for a week than to spend 1 hour and not come back for days. Never ever hit or strike your foal UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, they will do much better for you if they learn that punishment is a harsher tone of your voice and their reward is your kind and happy voice. . . they will know!

Temper all your training with the factor that these are "young children". This is their time for having fun and Feeling Free. They should look at you as not only the "Drill Instructor" but welcome your arrival as the Great Scratcher (who finds all those hard to locate itchy places) gives them carrots, handfuls of sweet feed or other treats. Pat and I are firm believers in talking and "chattering" to our horses. I even sing to my foals (I can't sing very well, although I can play my violin www.rdamusic.com). For instance, I sing "Home on the Range" to them when they are being trimmed for the first few times and they seem to respond by standing and cooperating with the shoer. Pat claims they are being good, so that it will "get over with faster" and my awful singing will stop.

The most amazing thing to me is how these great big animals respond to kindness, gentility and love. Never use "brute force", it will only get you into trouble and make a mess out of your horse. Patience is the other key factor, never ever train when you are in a hurry and not relaxed yourself.

We are happy to share these suggestions with everyone and hope they bring to all the joy and rewards that we have each day we are with these magnificent creatures.

Check out and Bookmark this area on our web-site www.sternranchesltd.com in the future for further training tips. We will explore other areas, such as Barn Training, Trailer Breaking, Togetherness, Sale conditioning Etc. etc.

Back to the top