When Do You Start A Young Horse Riding Properly?

[Torny]

Hi,

I was wondering when you can start riding a young horse for compettion and long hacks.
I know of a 3yr old and have been told you can ride him lightly here and there, then introuduce the proper riding when he's 4. Also I have been advised not to jump a horse till he/she is 5yrs.

What are you're thoughts?

THANKS    

[nix]

Hi Torny

The advice you have been given so far is fairly sound. I personally feel that later is better ... after all hopefully your horse will still have an active ridden life in his twenties plus!

It also depends on the type of horse that's being started. Many breeds mature late, eg some Arabs, Cleveland Bays and CB crosses etc, so would benefit from being left longer. Some people do make the mistake of thinking that because their horse is large that it is better able to cope with earlier ridden work - when the opposite is usually true as the bigger horse's ligaments, muscles and joints are often less stable than more compact types when young.

My five year old loan Arab is a good example of this as he was started and ridden away as a three year old as he was so big and strong that the then owner felt she would have problems leaving him later. My vet and physio feel that he will not completely physically mature until he is around eight or nine years old, so no (intentional) airs above the ground til then!!    We do however have nice long gentle hacks, he has started lateral work in walk and all his training will be progressive.

Hope this helps!

[Woody]

I guess it depends on the breed of horse, e.g. icelandics don't mature until they're 7 or 8.

[Jakes Mum]

I agree with the later is better theory too, it has definately worked so far for my cob who I bought as a 2 year old.  He was backed in the summer as a 3 year old, turned away for the winter and then brought back into very light work the following Spring as a four year old and gradually each year the work has slowly increased, and he is now in regular work as a 6 year old and has just started jumping.  I have noticed a big difference in his temperament too this year, although he has always been laid back he just seems more mature in his head and ready to cope with the increased work this year.
They are all different though, and what is best for one is not necessarily the best step for them all.
I do think personally that some people find there is a rush to get the horses doing allsorts at a very young age, and at a time when they are going through so many changes in their mouths with their teeth too. Can't help thinking that these contribute to the horses you hear of having to be retired at young ages due to leg injuries and ailments.

[Pete]

Hiya Leo -

I agree - he's a lovely horse, but you need at least another year of light work, lungeing, work with him in-hand etc before you can really do too much ridden work.  It'll be time for you to get to know him - but remember he is not schooled - and you dont have that experience yet - so a bit like the blind leading the blind.... You need a schoolmaster like Luce!

Take care - hope the arm is better!

[Sarah B]

Pete!!

You need a schoolmaster like Luce!

Ha Ha Ha!!!    

Define Schoolmaster (or should that be Mistress) - even Heather had a job getting her to work 'properly'!


   

[Torny]

Thanks for you're replies,

He is such a lovely boy, but I had the warning bells ringing about his age. Tis very unfair because I think he will go far!

Well, hopefully I'll be able to come see you en Luce soon. I think the Doc has diagnosed me wrong because my arm is feeling a lot better, yet I still need to work on muscle strength.

Hey Sarah, Luce ain't all that bad. She goes pretty well for me, even with the uneven surface. She takes a little to get going, but thats my fault coz Pete says I'm being to soft.