What Can I Do With a Yearling?

What can you do with a yearling? What should you train horses at this age, and how much handling should they get used to? Here's an overview of what you can expect when training and handling a yearling.

What is a yearling horse?

A yearling is a colt or filly (a young horse) between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, and as they approach their second birthday, they may also be referred to as "long yearlings." These horses aren't foals anymore, but they haven't quite reached adolescence yet.

The official means of determining a horse's age depends on its breed. Some breeds count a horse's age from its birthdate, while other breed registries count age from January 1—meaning your horse could either turn "one" on its specific birth date or on New Year's Day. If a horse's age is counted from January 1, some breeders try plan for their mares to give birth as soon after this date as possible. This gives the maximum growing time for the foal before it turns old enough to work at age two.

Habits of Yearlings

Yearlings will most likely be fully weaned and independent of their mothers. They will be sleeping less and spend more of their resting time standing rather than lying down. Play is important at this time, as is interaction with other horses. Youngsters are very curious and enjoy mouthing anything they can find in their pastures or stalls. Play balls