What are you trying to accomplish with your yearling at this age?

Well, right now I'm trying to build his confidence up. I hate to say it, but he's a little lazy. It's very difficult to get him to move. I have began to use a lounge whip in my left hand when I lead him, and if he stops I will gently tap his rump, and he's been doing better with walking. A few days ago I had to have my husband trot him to make sure he was sound, and it turned out to be my husband practically dragging him to get him to walk fast. I would like him to be more willing on the lead. Also, he is stable kept, so I want to find something to keep his mind active. I don't want to see him getting bored. He has daily turnout, and we have placed a flavored lick and a jolly ball in his stall. He plays with them every once in a while, but I would just like to see him having more fun.

I would try putting him in the lunge ring and making him work. I don't want to downgrade horses, but if you have to, treat him like you're training a dog. Reward him when he does the things you want him to do with small treats, pats and praise. Don't give him too many treats or that'll turn into a whole other problem.If you have jumps, set them as parallels and crossrails at 6- 10 inches off the ground.If you're not afraid of possibly getting kicked, try ground driving with a lunge whip and having someone lead in the beginning. This worked for my school's 3 y/o when he was a yearling. Also, it helps to have a tolerant older, trained horse out there with him. Have someone lead the older horse over poles and small jumps and the yearling is likely to follow.

I would not be too concerned about "working" a horse this young. I start young horses a lot and here's the things I expect from them. If you are Parelli savvy it would be Friendly game(or touching him all over with my hand and or a stick/string to familiarize with the tools), Some Porcupine (or pressure sensitizing), A little Yo-Yo, (or getting them to back and come to you off the lead), Driving game (or moving the hinquarters and front end with implied pressure). I work on feet handling as well. I say "a little" meaning enough to "plant some seeds" of training in there head and build a handling protocol. Most important to me is to have them handled enough that the vet or farrier can work with them safely (especially if they are needing emergency medical care). I don't like to do too much lunging as this is hard on young joints. I will work on Circling (or basic lunging just to get them walking and maybe a little trotting to show them what it is, not to "exercise them"). Everything is short and sweet and fun. If a baby is showing some "rude" behavior ie. my little Elsa (see my page, she was a kicker), I do just enough to ensure our safety and teach her respect of boundaries. Hope this helps.

For young horses motivation is the best! See if he can get longer turnout times or get him an Lick it or Joly ball.

i start all my horses out at this age, and they seem so much more happier with something to do. do all the desensityzing activities with him/her then move on to lounging and stuff. with mine, i would go get them and lead them to the mailbox just to check my mail so they would have things to do and stay motivated. this way they got used to vehicles psssing, (not that theres a lot of people in my area) and they realized the mailbox wasnt a monster. lol i totally agree with working with them at this age. just come up with games. like Farah said, try to eliminate the rude manners and replace them with good behavior and knowledge. i encourage some sweets in a little fanny puch or pocket. :) have fun!