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I've not ridden a horse since the 1970s, but the biggest thing is TIME. I'll let the more experienced and more recently experienced tell you the details.

I work with yearlings quite often, usually from birth until 2.5 years old. The biggest pet peeve I have when seeing someone start a horse for the first time is that they approach the horse with new items as if the item is dangerous. By that I mean slow and shaky, saying "shhhhh its ok, its ok." *pet pet* then sliding new things on as slow as molasses. I want the horse to just get over it. It's fine for them to jump around, maybe they're still baby brained and need a break in the middle of it, but the goal is to get them standing still by the end of the session when saddling. Next day you go back and they're jumpy again, just keep at it and eventually they learn.

Usually when I saddle a horse for the first time I walk around with the saddle pad, then the saddle, and if I'm going to use a bridle instead of a rope halter (at that point they may have never seen any of these items except the rope halter) I walk with that acting like I'm busy with it or something. I'll throw them on the top and bottom rail of the round pen, if the horse isn't bothered, I may even drop something at their feet. It helps the horse see it at different angles, and sometimes I even drop it somewhere on "accident" in the middle of the ring/ round pen. The biggest thing is, not to be nervous, never to act nervous, and don't treat new things like it's something that'll eat ya. I like the horses eyes to be on me at all times, it is very important to me. I don't want that horse to disengage when it's working, or when it's learning to work. (This may also take time to get them to do if thats what you like too)

It would be good to make sure the horse responds well to cues on the ground, yields properly, ect. You'll find out your own way of doing things too. I've never seen anyone do it the exact same, no horse is alike.

Act like you meant it, lead like a wise mare, and be gentle like that thing is your baby. Just don't spoil them lol. On ground and on their back.

I watched a ton of Clinton Anderson videos, both YouTube and bought videos. He isn’t perfect, however I found how he explains training horses in the easiest way for myself to understand.

Once I understood the basics, I was able to watch other trainers and pick a trainer more in line with my beliefs, as well as the horse i’m training. My other favorites to watch on YouTube are Craig Cameron, Pat and Deb Puckett, SamVanFleet, and YourRiddingSuccess. I always look at what someone’s finished horses look like, look at their training methods, then pick and choose the pieces I want to use, for the horse I want to shape.