Halter Training Horses

  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Halter breaking is another term for teaching horses to stand and lead obediently in hand and stay tied quietly. It is the most basic training information your horse will ever receive and affects the way he approaches humans and riding for the rest of his life. This training answers this frequent question for the horse: "what do I do when I feel physical resistance to what I want to do?" The well halter broke horse is rarely much of a problem on lunge and under saddle. The horse that has not learned these first steps is more unsure about what they are supposed to be doing and therefore more nervous.

These are mine and others thoughts on halter breaking young horses. Some of the decisions on what technique you use will depend upon your experience, the size of the colt or filly, and even upon your size and strength, although anyone who regularly depends on muscle to train, has muscle for a brain. Properly halter training any colt requires experience, and halter training in hand a five-month-old colt does require some strength. I usually halter train in hand but I am six feet and nearly 250 lbs. and pretty quick for my size. I also begin around day three of age on my colts. It may help to reflect on what makes a good trainer.

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