Training a Horse to Drive - 2 year Old Stud Colt
Үй жануарлары мен аңдар
Jason Julian shows us how he starts Billings, a two-year-old stud colt, in harness. Groundwork, collaring and harnessing and driving with a breaking mare. By the third day, Billings is performing meaningful work on the farm.
Year 1 to 2
Jason emphasizes his work with the colt even before thinking about harnessing. He keeps his colts at home, leading them to water 2-3 times a day. In doing this, he teaches the colt:
Catching the colt
Backing the colt
Language, especially whoa and back. Use the same language you
will use when his is harnessed as a team. By the time he is
harnessed, he will already know this.
The #1 key to training - CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY
It addition, Jason is continually talking or singing to the horse. His constant quiet voice is obviously calming and reassuring to Billings.
DAY 1 - TEACHING LEAD ROPE/HALTER MANNERS
Jason drags the lead line all over the horse to find sensitive spots and desensitize the horse. Emphasize all the places the harness will contact as well as the hooves that may get tangled in a line and need to be manipulated by a farrier.
FIRST COLLAR
Jason presents the collar to the horse. allowing him to smell it, see it, lick it, etc. until he is not afraid of it. He continues showing it to him while holding it up to his face. Gradually he puts it over his head. Once in place, he leaves the horse to get used to having the collar on.
He then does completes the same process with the harness - all while still tied to the stall.
DAY 2 - BILLINGS FIRST BIT AND DRIVE
Jason repeats the collar and harness process as in day 1. He then gently hooks up the bit. Again, all while hooked up in the stall.
He then takes him out and hooks him up with a experienced mare. He uses a forecart and sled for their first drive. His wife Katrina has a line on the colt and walks along side for this first few drives - until it seems unnecessary. Jason and his team take two drives on Day 2.
DAY 3 - COLLAR, HARNESS & BRIDLE
Jason repeat all the steps from Days 1 & 2. During the fourth drive, he stops and exchanges the forecart and sled for the manure spreader. Billings is a quick learner and they continue with this new implement, new sounds, new feel. He is a natural - both trainer and colt!
Jason and Katrina discuss the importance of having two horse trainers working the first drives with a colt. So many things can come up that require quick thinking and that second trainer on the ground to help. These two show how colt training can be simple but not easy. They emphasize that REPETITION is key to building the horses muscle, strength, confidence and security. And patience is so very important to the trainer. All horses learn at their own pace, as do children. The horse trainer needs to be cognizant and respectful of that pace.
** Jason is not only training the colt to drive but vetting him to see if he will be a good addition to his breeding program. He evaluates the horse for intelligence, quick learning and drive before even thinking about breeding his mares with him.
Пікірлер: 285
Can't say enough about how good this guy is working with horses and making the video
I'm glad I'm not the only one to sing to my horses.
So much respect, Jason. I'm an "ethical horsemanship" trainer who spends so much time trying to convey the importance of sensitivity and tact to clients. Sometimes I get really esoteric with it. Philosophical. But you, here, have shown it's not magic, it's not "woo-woo", it's not bleeding heart. It's actually quite simple: take the time to notice their guardedness at subtle stages and everyone's life gets easier. The simplicity of your "find the uh-oh spots" is genius. I'm departing from my usual disciplines (liberty, natural dressage) to teach my draft gelding to drive. I'll be paying close attention to your info! So many driving-how-to videos I've watched are filled with rough handling and excessively guarded horses. This is such a breath of fresh air, thank you.
There is just something so damn adorable about a grown man singing to his horses, I freaking love it. Reminds me of my husband lol. You sir, are someone I would go to for lessons. I really like your philosophy on horses and how they learn.
Jason approaches his animals with a respect and understanding. I love that. Jason, you are great!!!
@johnking8679
2 жыл бұрын
I echo that comment, Jason !! BTW what breed is that horse 🐎 you're training ? Will he get as large as the horse 🐴 he was driving with......?
This is a good video. This guy is willing to spend the time required to be trusted. Spend lots of time with the horses, every day.
@larrywarren2431
Жыл бұрын
I learned a lot
Thank you Jason! I sang "Jesus loves me" to crying infants, in the middle of the nights, as an RN, in a busy hospital. Infants did quiet down, when I sang softly to them! Good job Jason!
What wonderful animals these horses are!
Of all the songs you could sing, amen! Brought tears to my eyes 🙂.
OUTSTANDING!!! So many horse handlers want to whip and beat their horse into submission, refreshing to see it done right. Very well done. Now you have a horse that loves you and wants to please you instead of fear that he/she will be beat if they don't. Two thumbs up!!!
I like how you always talk to your horse and read them. And make him come too you on his terms.
Great work not editing the burp out 😂 comedic relief
Jason and his wife are amazing people
We are loosing these skills & knowledge but thankfully they're are people passing the knowledge on to their kids. Thanks for sharing this lovely family.
I'm sorry for your loss of this beautiful boy ❤️ Rest easy Billings ❤️ He sure is a character.
@legacyhorseloggingbrabanth1536
6 жыл бұрын
Deanna Quinn thank you. It still kills me.
@debravenier3093
6 жыл бұрын
What happened to Billings?? I was hoping there would be an up date until you said he passed away.
@maggiepolk6458
4 жыл бұрын
debra venier he probably died bc he didn’t get enough water during the day
@andrewcameron1346
4 жыл бұрын
Maggie Polk How often do horses drink in the wild? Twice a day. Once a day if it’s a long way to water. Try not to show your stupidity in such an obvious way. I just know how badly your horses would behave
I love how you always have a song and Jesus in your heart. I wish more people would value these ways and I wish I had a family like yours. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience with us. Beautiful horses!
The patience of Job, the heart of a lion, the gentleness of a lamb, the strength of an elephant, and the smarts of a champion...all combine to produce a great working Belgian, like Billings! Most enjoyable to watch, and learn from; thank you!
Lots of patience, lots of love and a great horseman. And then there is Betty.😊
Love the song your singing to your boys ❣️
My great grandfather used a team for logging. Never had to whip em. He could calm an unknown team to him by his voice alone. This reminded me of him and how he treated his horses. Thank you.
first I am68 years, you are one of the few I have known that sings when training , it does help a lot, a singing voice is softer and the horse responds well, I did always first harness at 4 years, just ground driving with a sursingle from 2 to 4 I am proud to say, never had one break in half or run away in all my years, a few thousand horses, from minis to drafts
Great video. Love this. The basics- desensitizing, think like a horse, set them up for success, and be kind. ❤
What is remarkable is the trust between you and that young horse, you are calm and caring any animal will respond to that. It make for a lovely peaceful relationship. Compare it with some of the very harsh treatment inflicted on a lot of horses past and present, yes you will train them fast and furious but you will end up with a fearful and broken spiritually animal. You horses are very lucky to have you. God bless you
REally LOVE the way you sing to your horses, and treat them properly with respect and love. I imagine you treat your wife and children the same. Will definitely subscribe, so far you are the first horseman I truly feel I can trust for advice.
just stumbled upon this, and while i definitely want to say i'm impressed with how quickly you have your horses working i cannot stop laughing at how big that mare is compared to that colt. they're such large horses and it's delightful.
I love this guy. Would love to go work under him for a year. Would come out a thousand times better horseman
This might be the best starting video I've ever watched, no matter the discipline. Well done.
Great video. So nice to see a horse treated with respect in such a calm manor. Thanks for sharing.
@larrywarren2431
Жыл бұрын
I know a Amish family one brother is great with horses the other is not
Really enjoyed your 📸 video !! I'm new to KZread and came from what was as Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe. And that's why we're here living in San Diego, CA. Been here over 42 yrs. and àm a proud USA citizen !! FYI Rhodesia had the largest cattle ranch in the world, back en with over 1million acres of land. Who knows what it's like today !!...? Looking forward to following you and your family !! How often do you put out a video clip ? Lord Bless you ALL and I love the song you sang to your horses !! AMEN !!
"Until that first 1800 lb mare kicks you in the chest, that might hurt a little bit..." Loved it!
@bartpowers9972
4 жыл бұрын
Nice real nice👍
@auntymar-marjustme
4 жыл бұрын
& oh yes it WILL😮😲😲😵😵😨😨😱😱😬😬; then u pass out and wake-up 6 months latter
@papajeff5486
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, first time my woman kicked me in the chest it got my attention. I reckon she made her point. Texas
@Ritercrazy
3 жыл бұрын
One if my favorite lines.
I've waited a lifetime to learn the complete art of driving. I love my horses but I would and have never taken the chance that I might harm them cause of NOT knowing what I'm doing. Now that I have found you this grasshopper is going to try and gain your knowledge. Bless you and your family, two and four legged, my friend.
It’s just knowing the nature of horses. Also, imagine the same action done to yourself. Lol. But true. Rope in the legs, a circular collar. We’d freak out a bit too. Exceptional horsemanship.
Awesome job 😘 Beautiful horses
And by the way thank-you for showing such strength with ur helpers... It takes emece strength to be so soft. Congrats
Absolutely fascinating! I sang your praise songs with you. God loves all his creatures. You're amazing to watch, thanks so much.
I find you get what you put in. There is no better feeling when that much animal is scared but does something just cause he knows you love him and wouldn't hurt him. I try never to set them up to fail.
Sir, thank you for your common sense advice. I'm working toward starting my ex bucking gelding in harness, and he can be a little snorty blowy about new things. I was so relieved to find your video.
Great tutorial. I love how you sing gospel songs to him. He is very trusting of you. You are good with him.
Great training video, if I may suggest that you would do this in a open area to keep you and the horse safe. It's a good possibility if the horse spooks or rears its going to hit the top of its poll on the beams above. You both stay safe, Happy Trails 😊
what a beautiful horse
@SheriffofYouTube
4 жыл бұрын
the horses love this man.
Yes Jesus loves you because you're a great guy!! Great video!!
@valerieashworth4224
5 жыл бұрын
I love the way he was singing to the horse Jesus loves you 👍🏻
@lorenreece1665
5 жыл бұрын
That's how i trained my wife to drive. But she still won't use the turn signals. Where oh where have i failed?
Really enjoyed your video And horsemanship along with your singing great video thank you! God bless
I really love your vid. I have seen so many horses ruined by people who just had no idea and it was the animal who paid the price.
Just fond your video your doing things my daddy has told about doing when he was young. Lost him last year he would have been 100 this year he went from horses to seeing how farming is done now. He seen a lot of new thing in his life. Love video. Great song God bless you.
I like how you are with your beautiful colt. Great work and gentle ways
Love, love that you sing to your horse. Your method and handling are great. Thank you for the privilege of the lessons
I love how he wins his horses trust-smart man!!!
Really cant go wrong singing them that song.love it .Jesus loves me too.
I'm pretty Savvy with a riding horse and clicked on your video for driving instructions and I can say that this guy is real savvy so pay attention folks
Wow! First time watching your video. Many years ago, I was doing this with draft ponies. Been there done that. Wish I could be doing it again. At 75 retired and health issues keep me from what I love to do. I green broke one of my stock. Yes, I had one bad experience, my own fault. Was bucked off, one time. I once crossed the lines wrong, and that made one go left and the other go right. A few seconds of excitement, until I corrected my mistake. I did have a helper, and that saved the day. I enjoyed this video and will look for more. Thanks. Central Indiana, USA
@RuralHeritage
6 жыл бұрын
Don, Thanks for your story. It is always good to hear from experienced teamsters. You all can pass along such great lessons the the new comers. More videos are on their way!
My granddad and all his family raised and trained mules for years and I grew up riding them everywhere lol. Some of the mules were so good papaw could stand off to the side and move them all over the field by just voice! I’m so glad to know that team pulling isn’t completely gone. When you mentioned about getting their leg hung up on something I had cold chills. I’ve had that happen on a horse when I was going out to check river level. I’m riding on a narrow trail with what had been a 5 foot drop on one side. The water turned it into 10 foot drop. My horse got tangled in thick vines with no way to back out and to narrow to dismount and clear it up. Thank God I’d taught her “hold” and she held long enough for my friend to go up and around to clear her from behind. My point is that you are absolutely right about simple things that may save you and your horse someday! I’m very pleased to see that common sense and compassion aren’t dead and gone either. Thank you for posting this .
I like your songs!
Love this video always have had Belgians , I love the way you brake them so gently
I love how he treats his colt. This is great.
a good man with horses, keep up the great work, the horses are lucky to have you!
Very good video of starting a colt. Enjoyed how calm you were.
That is a monster sized 2 year old
logging was in my family. My Father had logging horses in N.H and Maine back in the fifties. My Uncles worked fer my Father and one of my Uncles was a dealer in livestock. I love draft horses and logging with horses. this was a very interesting video. this proves that just caring and being gentle with your animals they will better understand you. My Father was always good to his horses too. He never tried to make them do more than they could handle .
Totally awesome job earning his respect and vice versa.. Love it when your singing to your team. God bless you.
Awesome! Love to see the teaching/training of the colt and the fact that this is for a working farm, not an exhibition or historical experience.
It looks like the mare says to the colt...oh cool it buddy! Awesome work Jason!
I really like the way you handle, treat & train your driving horses - I don't have "working" horses in the sense that you do, but I have bred, raised, trained & shown Arabians all of my adult life and I use the same process - I am patient and I never push them - you get the best results. I came across your video by accident - and I am glad I did. Keep up the great work.
This is so sweet! I love drafts. Sad machinery is replacing them.
@dariaharruff7025
3 жыл бұрын
The horses learning to drive can save the planet earth 🌍
@johnking8679
2 жыл бұрын
Just as long as horses don't drive on the freeways !! Tee Hee 🐴😊
Awesome work!
How I love this way of living I wish to live with you
God bless you from New Zealand!
I would be wearing my steel-tow Red Wing boots instead of tennis shoes! Thank you, for the post.
He is gorgeous! I like your methods.
I greatly enjoyed this training video yet I see all sorts of criticism in the comments. I was waiting for a comment about the mud. I live is Michigan and come spring season mud is unavoidable. Nice that you have a older mare to pair him with, although obviously that too has to be monitored. Keep up the good work,
Love your process. You are amazing and magnificent, so are your horses.
Спокойно,без криков и нервов,молодец хозяин.
Love Jason!!! Informative and FUNNY!
He's a monster now. But you're building a beast !!! Enjoyed your video
Just found this channel. So thankful I did!
You are amazing!
I smiled the whole time i watched this,you are a great leader and i love your beautiful horse.Good Luck to your family.
He is an amazing horseman! I thought this was oso cool.
That Betty horse worth her weight in gold
Really a lovely video to watch. Such gentle teaching.
Sir I love the way you show respect and patience with these giants. Thank you for your time and experience! Please kept up the gentle work!!!
What a lovely horse. He's going to be a real beauty. Would make a lovely riding horse too!
This is great. I ground drive younger colts as well. I take them everywhere possible before the work training starts. But I like the way it's done here. The low ceiling would be a worry though. I sing to my animals too.
@deetngator1624
4 жыл бұрын
I am happy you leave the tails on. I hate seeing a docked tail.
lol i thought when the title said teaching a horse to drive i thought it was going to be a tractor or a car. now that would be something to se
Enjoyed training advice and singing!
Impressive work and horses. Thank you for taking the time to share this!
Great video, very handsome boy! And I love the idea of you singing to them...worked well. So nice to watch someone with real horsemanship. Loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Very informative.
Great teacher!
Great video. You have talent on how you deal with a young horse. Very happy to subscribe
One great trainer!
Great video
I like that that you are singing to them..I always sing to my animals when I working them or I am talking to them.. They Know I can't sing but they don't eem to mind too much ... However 4-5k for a trained or even a started team is damn cheap where I am...BUt if you can..I don't Break Horses.. What good is a Broken Horse...Train them and be partners in work with them..
lovely video and trainer horses beautiful good luck in all you got it and a great singer to these horses lovely way to make them feel loved like they say treat nicely an you get great results
This is so cool. The world needs more of this. such a shame we got away from it in the first place.
That snort is the sound of all anxiety leaving him
This guy is a magician. Holy geez
Great video, not in the same league but I'm wanting to break my Shetland pony to harness. So informative. Looking forward to watching some more.
@Saartje05
5 жыл бұрын
Then first of all wait till your shetland pony is at least three years old. And don't use CHECK REINS!!
@Redandranger
5 жыл бұрын
ZZZZZ. ZZZZZ.
Good job. Love your patience.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned this in the comments, but why do you only allow your horses to be led to water and drink twice per day? It is a dangerous risk of colic. I know horses can make a mess of water buckets/troughs, but that’s part of keeping them healthy. Other than that, I like your no-bullshit method of starting young colts. I’m going to be staring my paint in harness soon, and have been browsing KZread for extra tidbits of information. 😀
@barbaravick5634
5 жыл бұрын
Sonya Meade Agreed. We ALWAYS had fresh water available. Even when I was 14 & 15, I had to make five trips between the house and barn carrying five gallon buckets full of water. (We didn't have water at the barn yet.) Then I'd do it again when I got home from school. Horses MUST have water whenever they wish.
@floramumaw8922
5 жыл бұрын
Sonya Meade he said he only does that when he is weaning his colts off a mare
@hadesdaughter381
5 жыл бұрын
The reason he does that is to be able to catch the horse quicker. They will learn to want to be caught. If that makes sense.
@piddlepuddles5710
4 жыл бұрын
I noticed with my horses that they only drank at certain times. No matter what. They aren't like you and me and want a sip after every bite. They had free choice, cool, clean water 24/7.
@astridjobe4918
3 жыл бұрын
In the wild, horses often travel miles between watering holes and may only drink once or twice a day. Also, in a herd, the alpha mare will drink first and then let the others drink after her. By leading his colt to water and telling him when he can drink, he effectively positions himself as the alpha mare which gives him an advantage in training and having his horses look to him as the leader.
noticed you said early, that the horse would tell you what and when, most people, don't learn horse body language before trying to drive horses