If you are training a horse from birth onward about how long does it take? Are there any tips someone here could provide? A friend is in dire need, but can not afford a trainer right now.

Training should never stop, not for the horse or the rider. A horse is suitable to be trained for riding at about 3-4yrs and is probably greenbroke by 5-6yrs. Obviously if you've never trained a horse from birth (and its takes alot of knowledge and skill to do so, I don't care what rednecks on Youtube tell you) its cheaper to buy a grade riding horse instead.