When beginning to train young horses, you should work them in a round pen or small arena getting them used to working and listening to cues, then wearing a saddle and bridle. Let the horse wear a bridle for a few days without using it. Snaffles are usually the bit of choice for the young horse as they only apply the amount of pressure to the mouth that we apply to the reins. Only use one rein at a time when introducing the snaffle. Work on suppling the horse to the pressure of the bit. At the walk or standstill, ask the horse to bend its head and neck around a little with light pressure. As the horse responds, give the rein some slack immediately and then try again. Work on the horse following the feel of the reins in both directions at the standstill, walk, and jog. The snaffle is ridden with two hands, and each hand should be used independently of the other so that when the right rein is being used, the left rein should be slack or more slack than the right. If both are pulled at the same time, the broken mouthpiece folds in the horse's mouth, causing irritation. Move your hands slowly so as not to surprise the horse and cause it to become afraid of the hand. If you will teach the horse to follow the feel of the rein, then you will keep the horse soft and responsive. Performing a lot of circles, figure eights, or serpentines will help the horse develop suppleness.

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