Team PracQ: Do I use different aids in the first few weeks or months of a young horse’s training or can I aid him like an older horse? If there are differences, what are they? My horse has just turned 3 years old, knows how to walk, trot and canter on the longe line and I am planning to introduce him to the rider soon. —Nancy Rowland of Aurora, Ontario, Canada
A: If possible at all, avoid using different aids in the first few weeks or months of your young horse’s training. Your goal is to explain the aids to him and achieve that he accepts, trusts and follows your aids willingly. This training phase is the basic education of the young horse and it should be based on the Training Scale, especially with regard to the first three components—rhythm, relaxation and contact. It will take about one year to complete this phase.