Well as you all know I got a new black colt who is going to be a yearling on May 1st. I would like to know how should I start lead training him? I already got him halter broke but everytime I get him on the lead he's fine until we're tottaly out of the pasture. He trots around, as he should be since hes still young. But how do I start training to trully lead?

You didn't specify what problems you were having with him while trying to lead. So here are the basics. If you have access to an arena, play with him off lead until he begins to slow down a bit. Then you won't be fighting his coltish exuberance.

I don’t know if you have access to his dam or not. If you do, have a friend lead the dam while you lead the colt behind and then next to her. If not, you can try other techniques.

If he is trying to run off ahead, tie a soft rope around his neck (use a bowline knot) and run it through the ring in the bottom of the halter. Then loop the lead rope over the top of his nose. When you control the head, you control the direction. A quick snap of the rope and a sharp no should be enough to stop him from running off. Be sure to praise and let the pressure off of the rope when he obeys.

If he just doesn’t move or if he balks, it might take a different set up. You can tie a long soft rope around his neck through the halter and back under his butt. Hold the rope under the halter in your left hand and over his back with then other hand. Use your left hand to pull on the rope to get him to lead so he feels the pull on neck and halter. If he doesn’t budge, use the butt rope to persuade him to move forward. It’s awkward at first, but you will get the hang of it! You might want to google for pictures of this technique, it is pretty common.

Work in short bursts rather than long sessions. Colts have very short attention spans -- 10 minutes might be stretching it! Always praise him and love him when he does well and end with something he knows and does right, even if it is not perfect.

Thank you, I will try those suggestions.
My main issue with him is when I finally get him out of the gate & start walking towards the round pen he begins to trot around & freak out.
It's mainly because he has been in the paddock with his little buds & He is scared to leave them.
Sadly the dam is no longer at that stable.
She was sold about two months ago.
I thought of trying to lead him with his best buddie, Georgie.
My friend owns him & probably will be willing to help me with that.
While Jolly & Georgie are together they are calm as night.
How can I get him to calm down?

Like I said, if you can get him into an arena and chase (playfully) some of his youthful energy out of him he will be less likely to be a problem when you are trying to teach him to lead. If he has a buddy, you might bring them out together and have them run and play with some encouragement from you. Just keep it fun so he doesn't learn to fear you -- remember we are the predator they are the prey. (Horse mindset)

Well see the problem were we are boarding is that the only thing we have is a round pen.
Most of the time there is someone there..
So all I can do is work in the paddock with him or right out side of it.
So I'm a little nervous I'm going to wait to late.

Well this is the hard part. You have to let him know you are the boss (you are, aren't you? ) When he starts bouncing around let him know that is not acceptable when he is on the lead. Make him settle down and pay attention. The first step is for him to just stand without fussing. Keep his attention focused on YOU -- not on his stablemates.

At first don't be too fussy about him not standing right next to you, just get him to settle and pay attention to you. Use the rope over the nose to keep his attention on you. Remember, to keep the lessons short and take tiny baby steps.

1st baby step, have him away from his buds, paying attention to you and standing still. If you can hold his attention for a 30 seconds to a minute you are starting out well. When I said baby steps, I meant it! Make sure you give him rubs and scratches as praise, but don't let him get at all nippy with you. As long as he is on the lead line, you are the boss not his playmate!

Remember to work in short bursts, his attention span is very short right now. But do this a few times a day if you can. I know when you are boarding, it's not easy to be there every day. Be consistant, but if something isn't working, don't be afraid to try a different approach. If you find you are getting angry (and don't worry, it will happen!). Put him away, go throw a temper tantrum (well, it works for me) and then come back to him when you are calm.

Don't be afraid to correct misbehavior. Nipping, for example is something a colt his age is bound to do. A good solid bop on the nose is in order... but never EVER hit him when you are angry. When you are training, you have to be in control of the horse AND yourself.

I was young when I had my first foal to train, so I know some of the issues that come up when you are younger. To some folks here that are older, they might not understand the cautions I am giving you.

But the most important thing to do is just go ahead and start working with him. Being afraid you will do something wrong will only cripple you and further delay his training. You will make mistakes. Even the most experienced trainers do! So don't freeze up with fear -- just get out and start working with your little guy.

This is an exciting time for both of you, don't forget to enjoy it!

Thank you so much!
I will do these steps starting this saturday (once I can get out there)
Thank you again for helping me

Cheryl is right. He needs to be away from his friends. He is a LITTLE herd bound which in normal for his age. You need to be in charge and he needs to respect your space. You can start that in his stall, with his halter and lead. That way you are in a controlled area. Teach him where he needs to stand and that it is not exceptable to be on top of you. If he goes to walk in front of you or walk off bump him back. Until he gets use to things he is going to dance around and you will just have to keep him back where he is suppose to be. As far as the round pen being in use all the time, if you are paying for board you have a right to use it. If someone has been in there for quite a while ask them if they are done. You have just as much right to use it as they do. You can also ask the barn manager if they could put a time limit on the round pen (ie. 30 min per person) That or you might have to find a time to come out when it is not as busy(early morning etc). If you can find a time to use the round pen daily, I would not turn him out with his friends, I would keep him in. And you be the one to let him where off energy in the pen and then work with him. No matter what age mine are if they start getting to attatch to one another I seperate them for a while.

Is he still a stallion? Do you plan to keep him one? If not the sooner you castrate him the better it will be for you and him, and make him a little easier to work with. I personally like to have mine halter and leading before they are weaned, it is just much easier, that way they learn from mom.

Hope this helps. Good luck