Most gentle domestic horses will receive 30 to 60 days training to reach the green broke stage. At this stage, a horse knows the basic commands, signals, and cues and is comfortable with a rider on its back. Your adopted wild horse will require additional time to recover from the stresses of roundup, the adoption process, and settling in to your home or boarding facility. In addition to age, the physical condition and weight of your horse at the time of adoption will have to be considered. It may take as long as six months for your horse to be physically fit before you can begin actual training, but ground work, or the gentling of your wild horse, should start right away.
Many factors contribute to the growth of horses.
During the spring and summer months they grow rapidly, while in the fall and winter seasons they show little or no growth as forage becomes scarce. The wild horse s body utilizes body fat and available feed to produce body heat, not growth, during the cold season. As a result, the wild horse does not achieve true adult size until he is four to seven years old. This natural growth pattern may contribute to the high bone density found in wild horses and account for their strong legs and bone structure. In general, a minimum of an hour a day should be allowed for the care and training of a newly adopted wild horse.