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Discussion on Starting a Young Horse in a Perfect World
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 12:19 pm:
With my two babies (TB's 19 months)I have the luxury of starting them according to their schedules, not mine. I have sent them to a wonderful, kind trainer who has helped me solidify their ground work and handling, so that the actual riding part will be easy because they will already be able to do everything from the ground.
I found this great article and it suggests that they be lightly, lightly backed around 3.5, ridden (hacked out) a bit at four, at five intro to their disciplines by doing some cavaletti work and at six they are "on the payroll..." which to me means they will start working seriously and maybe some showing.
I want to be as conservative as possible with them and would like them to be sound 20 years from now. I wanted to share the article because it is beautifully written and the best I've seen on this. I'd like to hear from others who "waited this long" as well to start their horses and if they were glad they did. It seems so far away but I know it will be worth it.
https://www.equinestudies.org/knowledge_base/ranger.html
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 2:28 pm:
Also, am I being insanely over protective and I could sneak in more work a bit earlier? This does seem so long to wait, but I really, really want to do what is the absolute best for their development. Thank you for your help!
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Member:
Cheryl
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 2:38 pm:
Susan - what would the rush be? Allowing your babies to fully mature before they are ask to do any real work is the very best thing you can do for them. Joint problems are one of the major reasons for lameness - I applaud you for your willingness to put the interest of you horses above your pleasure. Good job ! ! !
CK
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Member:
Sjeys
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 3:06 pm:
Thank you for your kind comments...I feel like I'll be waiting forever, but I know it will be best for them...although I'll feel goofy and "behind" when everyone else is showing at 4 or 5, it will be a better deal for my "kids" to wait. Oh well, feeling a little goofy never hurt anyone 
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Member:
Mcbizz
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 3:43 pm:
Susan, that is an excellent article. I will re-read it to really appreciate it. I am not a "bigtime" horse breeder, exhibitor or whatever, but I have "started" several young horses (with professional help when needed) and have never put anything on their back other than a bareback pad until they were three. I didn't ride them until they were four and that was extremely moderate. I don't believe they are mentally or physically ready for heavy work before six, as Dr. Bennett states. So glad you posted the article and that you are making such a wise choice with your young horses!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 7:44 pm:
Susan, I have Arabs, not T.B.s,and although my babies get a lot of handling and "life experience" they don't start serious training until they are three. It puts me behind in the show ring, but I just feel it's the best thing to do. I've sent a short cut to the article to my desk top and look forward to reading it later this evening.
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Friday, Dec 8, 2006 - 9:19 pm:
Personally I think having the discipline to do what's best for the horse vs what our schedules or ego's demand is true horsemanship, otherwise we're just people who happen to own horses.
By the time a horse is three, and you're ready to throw a leg over, they should have had lots of ground work, have been worked carrying a saddle and a bit. I will have laid across them, touched everything and thrown everything I can think of at them, and they will be happy and willing.
Lots of people make a big deal of joints closing and it's important but I think the brain is the last, and most important, joint to close and many people don't give the brain a moments thought. Take it easy and enjoy the journey.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Maggienm
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 9, 2006 - 12:01 am:
Alden yes, you make a great point.
I would like to add that I think application is almost as important.
While I am not a proponent of serious riding before 5, I do know many horses that are ridden, not hard mind you, from age three with no apparent ill effects.
Regular, easy workouts are kinder to the horse than once a year a one month hard go to get that training in.
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 9, 2006 - 9:13 am:
Absolutely Lori,
Time allowed I like to spend 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day starting from day one until their three. As they get older I increase the time spent and the task difficulty, but I still prefer to handle them more than once during a day. Ideally three days of short multiple session, then 1-3 days off.
In my experience the horses I work with several times a day come to crave the attention more so than ones worked once a day, or week.
A trainer (and I mean all of us who owner a horse) needs to have control of our emotions and schedule (as much as possible ). There comes a time when a trainer needs to put the horse up, go have a cup of coffee, then try again 20 minutes later. It's amazing how well a horse can read us and what a 20 minute break will do for both the horse's (and trainer's) mental and emotional well being.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 9, 2006 - 11:36 am:
Alden,
I agree with your description of what true horsemanship is. I think the best part of training horses is the journey; and that ends up being over the lifetime of the horse (or as long as I own the horse)for me. Which is why I'll probably never train horses for other people and definately why I have no desire to show. I could see competing though in something where the age of the horse (or rider ) don't matter.
And boy, can I relate to the brain closing concept!! Some of you remember Tango from my post Need Help Training Timid Horse...I think his brain is about 90% grown now, and he's going on 5. But it's been fun and a learning experience, and I am glad he's not being pressured to do more with a different owner.
Susan,
I believe without a doubt you'll have a better horse waiting longer to start riding. Do as much ground work as possible, ride a little more each year, and before you know it, your horse will be 7 or so, and things will be just beautiful between you. I think horses just start being great at 7 or so, and just get better and better from then on. You've got a lot of years left then until maybe mid 20's when maybe a joint supplement is needed for comforts sake. You'll still have a wonderful companion for many more years past that.
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 9, 2006 - 7:17 pm:
Susan,
I have seen that article before and mislaid it in my move, and am so appreciative to have it again. I used to give it out to people who wanted to start their horses very young. I wasn't much liked at the time but generally thanked later.
There has been much discussion by members and some have supported a 3 year start, I know many horses have been started as young as 2..drives me bonkers. Certainly the racing community starts them young. All I can say is as I watch my 2 young horses develop mentally, emotionally and physically I am glad to be doing the waiting. My one who was foaled on easter Sunday 2003 has late teeth eruption and the vet thought she was only just over 2...who knows whether it is related to emotional development as is so in humans, but I am glad that I have stuck to my plan to start her next spring. She has fabulous ground manners and has started work in the round pen using Pirelli and Clinton Anderson techniques and is just a lovely lovely horse, she loves her round-pen time too. I have received a lot flack from people because of my approach to horses which is kind but firm, consistent and discipled..my thoughts are: these people are in my life but a few hours a week if that; my horses are with me 24/7. I've had good results and have the desire to resist the pressure. I live in traditional cowboy quarterhorse racing country. They think very differently to me here. Oh well, maybe I can soften a few minds.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 - 10:45 am:
You are all so right about the brain maturing. It's the main reason I wait. Younger than 3 and they have about zip attention span.
Angie, if you wait and show performance classes it doesn't matter on the age of the horse.
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