When we wean the colts in August we bring a few at a time in from the pasture to our indoor barn. We put them in their own stall and they stay there for a couple of days to settle in. Directly leading from the stalls is an alleyway to a round pen. We never have to handle them until they have usually gone both directions in the round pen at a walk, trot and lope. Here, we are trying to get them to join up with us. Once we have done this, the rest is easier.

After the colts join up, we put their halters on and start handling, grooming, picking up their feet and leading them. After a couple of days of this we start working on tying. Once they are comfortable with tying, we use the hot walker for exercise. Our goal for the weanlings is to take away any fear of humans they might have and make them completely submissive.