Feeling hopeless and frustrated...

I was asked to work with a yearling who doesn’t have much training besides being halter broke,I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing what so ever being the first yearling I’m training. I do know the basics,but not having anyone to ask for advice is really getting to me,we have trainers around here,yet they’re not the easiest to ask... it sounds a bit silly to actually say yes to working with her,but this is honestly my best way in still being around horses having given up on finding a good quiet place to do lessons. 

I can totally understand how you would feel that way! I would really recommend checking out Warwick Schiller, he has a great online video library that covers his whole training program from every which way. His methods would go a long way to building a solid training foundation for that yearling plus you will learn so much!!

Thank you so much! I will definitely check him out for when I go next weekend to her!

I hope it helps! The subscription is paid but you can also check him out on YouTube (he has tons of short videos on there to give you an idea what it's like). There is also a FB group where you can ask questions. He's extremely good at making it very easy to understand and everyone in the FB group is also super helpful. And you can PM me if you have any questions :)

I will definitely be checking him out and the FB group! Since Breeze ( that’s her name) is not exactly used to being handled and also a rescue with two other really amazing horses,but what I noticed last time is she’s extremely nervous? She only really started to calm down when it was just the two of us alone. So I first want to find a way to get her calmed down before I do any big work with her and wait for them to build a ring and arenas.

Oof I'm sorry

I don't know if I understand. What exactly you wish her to learn? You wish to ride her or what exactly?

I won’t be riding her as she is just a yearling. I was asked to teach her the basics and get her used to being handled,since her owner doesn’t get much time to go see her.  

Phew! I was afraid that she is about to be ridden. Unfortunately too many people ride too young horses...

Anyway, if I were you I would teach her to not to invade human's personal space if she's still not respecting it. I would also desensitize her to not be afraid of some silly things. A bit later you can start some preparation for tack as well, just with some blanket or something, no saddle etc, just something to show her that having something on her back is nothing to be scared of. She's just 1yo so lunging or working on a ring/roundpen isn't recommended cause it strains joints a lot. You should wait with it til she'll be at least 2yo and not do it more than 1-2 times per week. If she didn't have a bit in her mouth I would teach her this too. Of course without using it, no yanking, no signals, no rope or reins attached to it, just wearing it. There will be time for using it too.

And, what's very important, you should teach her one element at once. If you will push too many elements at once she will get frustrated. Go to the next thing only if she will learn the previous one.

And play with her sometimes. Bring her a big ball or something to play with you, spend some time with her on a pasture and don't make her link a human just with work. If you would like some more detailed advises you can always write to me. I've been working with horses in different ages and I'll be glad to help :)

Thank you very much! I won’t be working with her next year since I’m just helping out till her owner has time, since she got very busy and will be able to work with her again soon.