[pangu36501]

I have a 1 year 8 month old filly that I want to break. She had never had a saddle on her but I sat on her a few times while she was lying down. I tied a rope around her back, and she was fine with that. Should I try to fit a saddle on her? (Btw, she's a tennesee walker)

[JudyKayTee]

Is this the miniature horse you have asked about? No, you at 12 years of age should not attempt to "break" the horse.

You also should NEVER sit on a horse that is not on its feet.

You need to know a lot more about horses than you appear to know before you begin to break/train them.

[Fr_Chuck]

Breaking a horse is a serious and sometimes dangerous undertaking. Not only can the horse be injured but the person can also.

Please do not sit on a laying horse.

In one of your posts you say you have been around horses all your life? I am sorry it really sounds like you know little about them

[Wondergirl]

Never hit or whip or beat a horse that doesn't want to cooperate. There are gentle breaking methods that work well and fairly quickly and allow the horse to emotionally connect with a human (instead of being fearful). Please read up on the gentle methods. Monty Roberts is one such trainer and has written books and made DVDs about his method. You can get his books and DVDs through your library.

[pangu36501]

I've just never broke a horse before, that's all.

[pangu36501]

Your no help.

[Fr_Chuck]

You hire a professional to break your horse, that is how you do it, at 12 years old you have no business even trying

[ITstudent2006]

Also your filly is still a long yearling which means you shouldn't be putting ANY weight on her back. Her bones and plates are still growing to maturation, constantly shifting around. You add weight to that especially if she's laying down, you risk ruining her for the next 20 years.

As a 12 yo you shouldn't even be in the pen with a yearling. Not until she is halter broke and leads and loads fine. Until then, nothing is stopping her from kicking you across the room. No matter how cute and cuddly you think she is.

I am sorry if I come across as mean but I live on a farm where we currently have 5 horses, goats, pigs, etc... and our horses were a majority of rescues from people that didn't know what to do or how to do it. Please don't fall into that category as simple research would have told you to never put weight on a foal, yearling or long yearlings back.

As far as training goes. Baby steps. You start with sacking out, which means getting her used to things around the barn byt rubbing her with it, scratching her with it, letting her smell it, etc... this includes a halter and lead rope. The next step is to train her on leading. Then tying, lunging, etc... You should never try to halter break a horse (mini or not) until 24-36 months (depending on breed).

Hire a professional... please.

[ITstudent2006]

Even I am not a professional. I have never broke a horse so I asked a question here on AMHD last week. I know the steps, procedures, etc... everything, but I have never did it... so I got help and asked for advice and tips.

I suggest you do the same.

[AllOne]

I recommend you watch the movie "Buck". He's the horse whisperer and shows the right way to work with horses.