Working a Young Horse Relaxed and Easy

Sometimes we school our horses in such a way that, as babies, they get sour and reluctant to work. In this video I’m handling a young yearling in a way that will not make her unwilling to be handled in the future. We want our horses to be relaxed, but we are not relaxed in the way that we work our horses.
Due to an increasing number of requests for a way to support the channel, I have started a Patreon account. I am humbled by everyone's generosity, and your support allows me to continue producing content. If you wish to support this and future videos, please consider supporting me on Patreon. / drycreekwrangler

[@patlowe4578]

Loved your video...I am a senior (80 years young) just getting into horses. I loved the relaxed method of working with your youngster and feel that is such a natural way to bond and form trust. I am an old llama packer who spent spent years in the wilderness of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. My llama's have aged and passed away which is why I have joined the horse world. I have a lot to learn but am enjoying being out on the trails and with the help of a good trail horse will spend many more years doing just that. Thank you for your video's and sharing your knowledge. I especially loved your comments on this episode on how to work with and teach your horse. Thank you.

[@dennis350]

You just did what I have been doing for 65 years. I have great well-trained horses, hope they all paid attention. Go with God.

[@anthonysutherland9487]

Loved the way she followed yo when you took off the rope. It wasn’t about the lead rope, it was about the connection.

[@jessiipunk]

The "no duh" had me laughing so hard I almost spilt my coffee. Very inspirational as always.

[@kds1451]

What amazes me is our similar methods. My Dad and just hanging around young horses taught me in my mind that our methods are the most natural. I call it "gentling" them if that's a word. It makes the most sense to me .

[@5809AUJG]

Wonderful! Now I am even relaxed! What a wonderful way to help a little one like this pretty filly learn. Sir, you're amazing. I wish more people started young horses this way. It would save them so much stress. No cruelty, no bullying, no pressure, no force. This is superb work. Thank you!

[@GaMedic911]

Great video. Love the approach. RE: Dealing with the problem of horses Pulling Hard against being tied… I do a thing that I call LOGGING. (Don’t know if there is another more official name ) but drag a hefty railroad tie into the pen and drill in an eye bolt. Tie colt to the RR Tie and let them stand. The colt will eventually do its usual reaction of pulling back and when it does the line will not snap, the RR Tie will move. They can’t do this too often or too far because it’s heavy. Over a short time they learn that it’s safe to be tied up but futile and hard work to pull back and they WILL get over the habit. Works every time for me and I’m 65 and have many years of experience as a basic horseman non professional. Just old school. Hope u try it and see. Thanks again for your videos.

[@DryCreekWranglerSchool]

That has to be one of the most practical set ups for that particular problem that I’ve ever heard. I will definitely have to give that a try. Thank you!

[@meagenruttan4681]

You're so down to earth! She stayed with you, even when the blue heeler came rushing in. I like your relaxed but attentive approach. Thanks for the great video!

[@WiscoMike]

Building trust is the first step in every relationship. Good lesson, Dewayne.

[@scout2469]

Well done Duane, that's just what that horse needs. There's far to many disturbed horse out there, messed -up by people trying to do to much to soon.

[@carolynharmon7074]

Not boring at all, Thanks for sharing.

[@adamlemons7909]

Man, it sure is good to have you back on a more regular basis! Words cannot describe how much peace and joy your videos bring to my wife and I! Blessings

[@jarredkreider9514]

I grow up with horses till I hit 14 when grandparents sold the farm. I forget alot of the stuff it's nice to watch this is study this. I'll soon be buying a beef farm here in northern Pennsylvania and. Getting back into horses! Your videos are helping get ready for when the time comes.!

[@duxdawg]

Thanks so very much for sharing with us Dewayne! In the 1970s all I saw was pressure, force and pain. It is so much better nowadays with "natural horsemanship" aka consistency, gentleness and commonsense. God bless!

[@legendslove39]

Alot of folks don't have your attributes. No patience, stubbornness and think everything should go their way, you see this kind of attitude on the roads, in stores etc... This content is made for a certain type of person. Conscientious, sensitive, takes others into consideration. And also has a pair. Love your way Dwayne keep it up. 🙏❤

[@jaxhayes4734]

I was just watching your professional wrangler series and i am grateful for your knowledge your sharing with everyone I just turned 20 and had know idea what I wanted to do but I love camping I love bushcraft I love survival but there are no jobs for that but being a packer I think would be what I could do for the rest of my life so thank you for showing me a future

[@heatherjohnson3002]

I loved the video. She was learning but without drama and too much stress.

[@andybarnes167]

Whenever I get caught up worrying about where I'm at with my horse. I always come to these videos an it puts me back in the frame of mind I need to be in an the next time I walk to my mare it's like poetry. Thank you for helping me out. So true , try not to forget why we got into horses an not worry about where you are . Because you are rite where you need to be.

[@sweethomefarm1]

Hey Dewayne. Daniel Schwartz here. I've rode and handled horses and for over thirty years. But it's only in the last 8-10 that I've been figuring out less is more. My trouble these days is finding time to go slow and easy. In fact I hate banging around so much that if I know I won't have time to go easy then id rather not start and so I've got a couple in the pasture that should be trained but I have just given them the bare minimum. I don't disagree with anything you said on here at all. It's obvious to see that what you do works. However I have had a lot of experience with horse that hang back simply because of how I learned to handle horses when I was young. It was always get a rope on them and hang on till they stop fighting then be gentle until you earn their trust. It didn't always work that way! I got one old mare that was taught to break ropes and she was very good at it when I got her! Her trust was broken bad. I wish I could have started her slower after I got her but I needed to get out in the fields and the only way I knew to stop her from busting ropes was tieing her with a rope that wouldn't break. She tested out that rope every day for years!!! That is an extreme case and she never completely got over it. That is the only horse I ever had with that habit that I couldn't get her completely over it. Most horse that I worked quit fighting that rope once they know they can't get away. I'm not saying how I did things in the past is better than what you are doing at all just that it did work but it was also risky for me and the horse. These days I don't train horses for other people. Got tired of busting the bad habits just to send them home with the person who taught them and have them fall right back in the same patterns. When I train my new goals these days I do it a lot like what you are doing now. I go out in the fields and scratch their shoulder and make them my friend even play with their feet and get them so friendly that they don't even hardly know they're caught once I finally put a rope on them. I also like to lead them out of the pasture first few times with their momma and tie them right beside momma first quite a few times. If momma is calm it transfers right over and colt copies momma. I like what you're doing. That is for the video. These videos I watch that claim they can take the wildest horse and have them perfectly submissive and broke in one session has led many people to the belief that if you can't do that as well they shouldn't listen to you also. If you tell them that it's very simple and there is no magic cure they get impatient and stop listening. It does me good to hear this kind of wisdom and common sense. Thanks

[@tomasadikeman1136]

Excellent video, Sir. I do stuff like this with my yearling fillies. It's encouraging to know others also do these early, easy lessons.♡

[@lauraalbertson7821]

Such a Great Video! You confirmed how I feel about a relationship with a Horse. Everything you said and did . And what a beautiful Horse ! Please keep us updated on Her 💜🐴💜 Laura

[@jamesmedina6015]

Beautiful Horses from Broncos County ✝️♥️🇺🇸

[@erynd2524]

Absolutely love this! There’s no time limit for starting a baby off right.

[@NNLBC]

she's sooo pretty ! nice lesson, thank you for sharing

[@broeklien3817]

You are so right I don’t remember sour horses in my youth. We were all just having fun together. Now I am at my 7th horse that has been rushed and overpowered when they were trained and its so hard to convince them that its only about the fun with me. They have no faith in people anymore. Horse people really changed for the worst.

[@laurenswift9274]

Great video Dewayne, the part about the horse enjoying its life is very important to have true harmony and respect. These videos are surely full of great information you only get from experience. Thanks for doing what you do and I really respect the person you are. Lauren- Battleground WA

[@larrybeavan9234]

Great video, I don’t ride horses but I have family that does and it’s awesome to learn something new! Thank you for the content. God bless!

[@pattybryd7228]

I've never had horses or even ridden much at all but I love these videos. Sure wish I'd grown up in the west on a ranch. Rodeo is a beauty and seems sweet.

[@jennyt7612]

Patty Bryd - I am the same. Have never had horses & only did a few years of regular trail riding, but that was 35 years ago before I had my children. Despite this I have loved horses all my life & would really like to own one, not for riding but just for halter leading / walks etc. Dwyane is so calm & gentle with his horses & I enjoy all his videos. Your ideal wish of growing up on a ranch sounds perfect to me. Best wishes from Sydney, Australia

[@mariagreen1280]

Thank you so much for this video, I subscribe to everything you say. Slow way is the fast way with training animals full stop, it's about partnership, not bullying..

[@vj5183]

Thanx for this. I just bought a neighbor's yearling donkey colt they messed up with a neck rope. My instincts were to do what you just did twice a day. Still have no clue how to get him on a trailer; no resources there to set up a chute. One day at a time. God will provide.

[@poplifemedia]

This was a very peaceful video. Thank you, Dwayne! I found you all Spotify and subscribed there as well! ROCK ON!

[@trampisporter5477]

I have spent many wonderful hours sitting on a saddle blanket on the ground in a corral letting yearlings curiosity make them come to me. A few judicious scratches when they do makes for horses that come to you.

[@gunfighter2012]

THIS is horse training 101. Amazing.

[@laurelsayer7557]

Loving your videos, and your latest ones about handling young horses are great. So look forward to each new one.

[@myronschabe]

I am with you regarding tie-ing or lack thereof...I bought a national champion 3 yr old mare and was able to afford her cause she had a reputation for being nuts...she didn't like to tie, so I simply didn't...just ground tie...never made a big deal out of it, and she went on to be national champion all-around performance mare and also especially good at western pleasure....as she got older she just mellowed out and she could eventually be tied with no problem but, not forcing her into anything allowed her to become that awesome performance horse cause she really wanted to please yet she would not/could not stand for too much pressure...she taught me a lot...that is what it was SHE taught ME.

[@bryanfox2735]

Yup. Just being one with your animal is what it’s all about! 🇺🇸💪

[@johnjacobs4207]

You have opened the door now so here it comes. Back in 1966 when I bought my first mare the man let me read his book by Charles O Williamson Breaking and training the stock horse. So he had a method for correcting those horses that hauled back and tried to break the rope. He said to put a loop around the belly and run the rope between the front legs through the halter ring and tie it to a strong tree. This method works well for the spoiled horse and I used it on everything during the first few years of my life. I used it on a yearling stallion on a ranch in Montana once when the hands gathered the horses out of a large pasture. This horse had never been handled before and the people were not horsemen and needed this horse halter broke so I had them leave it tied over night. Next day it was broke good. Now after watching Cliinton use the tie ring I was empressed so I bought 5 when he came here. I have been using a tie ring ever since. If you practise when they are young by the time they get grown they don't put scarry pressure and try to back up. I worked for a rancher once and he had a 1200 lb buckskin that would haul back in the trailer. I gave them a tie ring but I don't think they used it. Most cattlemen are not horsemen.

[@dorotacegioka5342]

Thank you for this video! This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@markdillon7036]

G'day from New Zealand, really enjoying your channel keep up the good work

[@feritboisturusnes7674]

You did it with love 👍

[@Voyagersk9]

Common sense horsemanship! This is the best!! Great job!!! I love your approach!! 👍👍

[@georgiadailyr3448]

Every one please watch the adds to help support Wayne

[@shelleycooper4890]

I looove this, I agree with every single word you just said.

[@vonbirddog2713]

Your face when that dog ran up 😅

[@deanward3610]

Nice work

[@tracypfau3896]

Good horse sense, Dewayne.

[@jefferyvollers2705]

Great video Dewayne, thank you.

[@chrisv2346]

excellent video. thank you.

[@GoodGuysCarry]

I’m with you brother! 👍

[@josephjohnson4162]

Another great video. I always love to see how you work the horses.

[@tracypfau3896]

You go Pat!

[@Voyagersk9]

So good!! I love it!!

[@geraldwalker2612]

Well that was really precious. What a sweet little Philly and that's an outworking Duane's gentle and consistent, I would call it guidance, as much as training. I'm now 72 years old I'm a native Texan but never really had a whole lot of experience with horses but enough to realize since you probably need to be smarter than the horse and even in my small experience I learned that often times I was not. I really enjoy these videos weather all I ever get on Horseback again or not it's the wisdom and the principals that Dwayne exhibits that keep me coming back God bless Ya

[@arthurquintana1345]

Thanks for the great content and good stories.

[@lauraalbertson7821]

Watched this again and was so encouraged. Bear acts just like Rodeo. He walks away every time when I carry a halter in . I have not walked much with him to get him to stop . I just let him go his way . Now I see how to do this right watching you again . He is just 7 months . I watched your picking up a Horses feet again as well . I have do what you did with Rodeo. My Farrier hasn’t come yet because I feel Bear isn’t ready . I don’t want Him to struggle with my Horse. I want to support you and Momma . I’ll go to your Patron link to see how to do that . Bless You Guys as you start up your School ! God seems to be making a Dream come True for You 🌟

[@MS-zb5fr]

I love the video!

[@jimmyleon2983]

I really enjoy your videos.

[@ruffnarbobnar5960]

Idon't own any horse's havn't been around them since I was a kid. Subbed and liked your video. Keep up the good content I wish I had an affinity to horses like you do.

[@ericwilliams9866]

Excelant video!

[@lauraalbertson7821]

Sitting here with the Lord and thinking about your way with Horses , inspires me 🐴 I believe you are given particular Horses that HE wants you to care for . You will be their protective Owner and see to it that they thrive. And they will do the same for you . God will see to it . I also believe teaching a Horse to stand and be still without being tied , should be the goal ! You are again building a relationship even in that moment of stillness. Important lessons are being taught that can not be if a Horse is just tied . And i know it’s safer for the Horse l Happy JESUS Day to you are your Family Dwayne 💜✝️💜 Your Friend, Laura

[@lauraalbertson7821]

This was great ! I had to watch this again. Needed to remember the relax easy way with my Horse . Tomorrow will be like this . Praying for your new Adventure with your Wrangler School! I know you are working hard with Mamma ♥️ Laura 💜 Bear

[@stephenqueen6211]

I quit tying my horses over 20 years ago. I still go through most of the training I would do before I would tie them, it is just so much of a habit I forget to. I want my horses to respect me as much as they do a post.

[@geneenchase3553]

Really really liked this video.

[@leealexander3507]

Before a horse I'm starting ever sees the farrier I have them allowing me to clean their feet without putting their halter on. This is an excellent training video. Slow and easy so your horse is willing to do their job later

[@rockybernard2997]

Rodeo is a cutie! nice hip and shoulder! Nice touch of Chrome! You speaking my language, sir... I found out too many folks send youngsters for a month's training then expect to get back a 10 year old horse in knowledge and temperament; they treat these sentient living beings like inanimate automobiles: just turn the key or do an oil change and 'why isn't it working properly?' Meanwhile, those humans themselves are flighty, undecisive, operating in a sort of social panic mode within their own persons. Seems to me, it's the humans that benefit most from the calm, relaxed treatment that equine youngsters thrive on. Say, since you asked, my first mare, long time ago, hated being tied. Broke so many halters (we used old and leather back then.) That was back in the day of rubber inner tubes on car tires, so the cowboy that ran the stable always had me tie her to an inner-tube looped around the hitching rail. It meant that mare always felt a little 'give' on the leadrope, as the rubber flexed against her tug. She didn't panic when tied to her deflated inner tube.(a bike inner tube might tear; this was a thick rubber, like what you 'ride over rapids' thick.) She was a well-worn, wise old soul. She always preferred standing untied. She'd stand, relaxing, with her back foot up, with opposite side's front foot/leg placed forward, resting; after a long while, she'd shift, stepping into that back foot, at the same time inching forward with her opposing front foot, raising the fresh back foot up 'to rest'. She placed each next leg to come to rest in a new forward placed spot, consequently advancing her entire body. She'd keep re-settling her weight (onto the opposing diagonal front and back foot); she'd rest in that position for, say, 20 minutes (I was usually braiding her mane or painting her hooves); then she'd do the 'shift' again.... over the hour, in slow motion, (slowest diagonal trot movement you've ever seen!) she'd trek across the tack room, end up nibbling at the carrot sack. Blew my mind when, finally, I figured out what she was doing! Those whom don't recognize the intelligence of these critters have only their own short-sightedness to blame. and TY for allowing me to remember my first mare. She was the best teacher EVER!

[@tuckerallen3621]

Thanks for the video great stuff. Really hope to one day having a piece of ground to be able to work with horses. Love the videos can’t get enough of them. Thank you.

[@robertdodson312]

Very good video! Have one this age and learning a lot from you and her!

[@esrahansenoutdoorsandselfr563]

thanks for the great content very helpful

[@stul8724]

Thanks!

[@kurtreinhardt6789]

Great video Dwayne

[@lonnymonday7087]

Hey Duane, I've had horses for more than a couple decades now and I'm close to your age. I'm dealing with two yearlings and a weanling for the first time. All three are wonderful horses. I have watched the videos, heard the do this, wave that, go in circles and tried a few things that I think help. But mostly I just spend time with the kids, work in short easy lessons and no fights. All three are more than willing to let me halter them, lead with a slack rope and can tied, but I'm with them when we tie and I don't let them worry. This video really struck home with me cuz I don't think I have to do all that crazy stuff. My horses know me and I've built my trust in them and they trust me, even when we do new things, they are willing. We ease into it, don't go too far at each go round, and end with a positive outcome and a brush. Thanks for the video.

[@lavonleinbach9455]

Awesome video as always Dewayne! This video was packed with some highly valuable information. So much to learn yet!

[@susancroft3734]

Love your calm voice and gentleness with the Baby... I also do not tie my horse.

[@rogerfurr4325]

I like your style Dwayne less is more always

[@hhlagen]

Nice little girl. Enjoyed the video. It’s all just horse sense. Thumbs up from me

[@aaronr5287]

Awesome!

[@bobvires9650]

Bravo !

[@elcurandero44]

,,,,awesome job vaquero.

[@tommytom4834]

Yes that sitting back bull is annoying and takes A LOT of time to get them to shake!! I just loop a long rope thru a D ring, or around a horizontal tying round post and make them sit back.. pull them back, make them sit back, pull them back, etc.. until they stop, and continue this process every time I bring them to tie.. but that’s w/o riding them down, that’ll definitely help w/ making them more comfortable and relaxed when tied!!

[@epona9166]

Great video. Totally agree w your approach to this filly. There's more than one way to start a horse depending on the horse's age and what you have in mind for it. This makes perfect sense; don't give her a reason not to want to deal with humans. As for tying, I love your idea of starting out when the horse is tired and happy to stand. But definitely try the Blocker Tie Ring. There are a number of YT videos on it, including several by the guy who invented it. There are three degrees of difficulty with that one piece of equipment; you can start out where it's easy for the horse to pull the rope, then after they know they can get some slack, they stop pulling and you can move on to the second level of difficulty. At second level, they'll test for slack again and after they get a few inches of slack, then they're good. It's as good as hard tying them without the risk of panicking the horse. Never had to go to the third level. Good luck!

[@frankirwin2377]

Another good video DeWayne. You can tell she was paying attention to your style of being gentle with her. I like the style of training you have for her. I was looking to give her a slice of apple after brief training.

[@tonywilson1182]

Pard. Nice and slow makes a friend for life. She has kind eyes. She’ll be a sweet partner later on.

[@deanjenkins4716]

If people would just understand that the little SIMPLEST THINGS WITH YOUNG HORSES GO SO MUCH FURTHER AND LAST A LIFETIME EASY SIMPLE THINGS!

[@artemisiagentileschi2400]

love her waves on the tips of her mane. easier way without pulling out hairs is to take a separate section, hold it in one hand & comb with other hand from bottom first then work your way up.

[@MaxNafeHorsemanship]

I like your style. Keep doing things the way you are. That was a great training session. Even adults can make huge progress in just a few minutes doing things that way. That may apply even more-so with babies, but it's not exclusive to them. Throw the book with the training program out the window and just listen to the horse. On the subject of tying... wow... I seldom ever tie even when I am trimming. Don't need to. My theory is teach them to tie before you tie them, and never mind WHAT happened (like pulling when tied), figure out WHY they pulled. I have worked with ones that would break leads and halters and I never tied them until I was done and it was a non-event. I won't even bother to tell you how I did it. I think with your mentality, you will figure it out on your own. Besides, every hose, situation and human is different, so there would never be ONE right way.

[@kellywalker8407]

Unless a mane and tail is plum full of burdock, sorry little filly, but don't be complaining about getting combed. When their tail was full of burdock it didn't swish flies, it clubbed insects to death. Always a treat when you're shoeing a hind foot. I know your laughing Dewayne.......lol Great video as always.

[@erics870]

Easier to brush their mane and tail if you hold onto the section of the hair higher up, brush out the bottom and work your way up. Us guys have never had hair long enough to tangle and need to be brushed, but any girl will tell you that trying to start at the root gets painful. Horses can handle that pain better than people, and they can get trained to bear it, but I don't see a reason to do it that way. You're also more likely to pull hairs out or break them, making it more difficult to get a nice long mane, if that's your preference.

[@lewie7820]

A cowboy bud of mine always said put no pressure on a horse when training. You'll end up with a better horse

[@wesleycollins4314]

In my experience I've seen more training with a brush & halter rather than a lead rope or lunge line the brush and halter builds trust no matter the age of the horse

[@beeamerica5024]

Good horse handling an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

[@shaunroberts9361]

Very very 👍 good. I like it. Everybody does training differently. DUANE How did you get her name. RODEO..

[@DryCreekWranglerSchool]

No real reason for the name, other than she was a flighty, wild little thing when I first got her. 😄

[@pmchamlee]

Top Shelf handlin'

[@bigdaddychacha]

What a beautiful and friendly animal… Wish I had the money and/or some compelling reason to get a horse.

[@charlesschnepp5358]

u r correct in all statements i broke 2 horses in my nyard no round pen

[@MrHercules222]

We had a 18 year old Arabian dude ranch horse that pulled back when tied. Loop the rope over the rail and he would stand all day but put a knot in that rope and he would pull until something broke every time. I have had horses that quit pulling back on their own after many months of good handling, but I can't say I ever did anything special to make them do that.

[@conniekempf4050]

I've had the same experience. It seems like once the horse realizes he doesn't constantly have to defend himself, the "bad" behaviors go away without me doing any one certain thing.

[@abbiehanke2780]

You are right about breaking a horse from setting back. So much better to prevent it.

[@royseleech3524]

I admit upfront I know nothing about horses. I have trained dogs and I realized years ago the slow and patient way of training works better then the snapping and shoving

[@elainesgroi1709]

Hi, really appreciate and enjoy your videos. Always learn something. Was wondering, can you do a video on bits? Thanks, appreciate your work!

[@DryCreekWranglerSchool]

I do have one made, you can see if this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/inuuYWl8btGbes0

[@kengraham6288]

Again, welcome to Texas and maybe someday, we can get together and ride a trail or two.

[@comesahorseman]

Remember, better is usually the enemy of good.