[shell]

I have been here a while and I see so many people saying they are ridding their 2 y/o's and even some that say people jump them. Why is this? A horse lives a long time. Why do so many people feel the need to break their horses so young? Some have even been started months before their sceond birthday. I have always not liked that people start yearlings in the racing industry, but I know a lot of money in involved there. Does not make it right though. But all us non-racing people. Why are we starting them so young?

I am just venting a little I guess. We don't start ridding our horses till they are 4. My husband and I have had a lot of young horses and only 1 did we start at 2 and he was almost 3 when we did start him.

Just wondering what's the hurry?

[Shans5050]

Shell,

I completely agree with you!
I dont start our Arab babys till they are 3, i like to give them an extra year or so to just let em grow and be horses. plus the 2yo babys we have right now are still pretty small, with the Arabs they seem to go though a growth spurt from 2-3yo. we have a few paints that are 3 this year and are still growing lol so im not going to start them till mid year or until i see the rapid growth stop.

[sheza_wildone]

ya we broke our gelding we got at an aouction when he was almost 3, he is coming along good, i aslo dont agree with breaking at 2, i was on a trail ride once and some1 was rifing a 1 yr. old belgian!!! i dont care if those horses are big, just because they are 16 hh. doesnt mean their boned have developed!!!
here is a pic of Mr. Edd=

[sheza_wildone]

oops forget the pic! silly me

[Asfaloth]

I do agree that a 2 year old should in general not be ridden But I do think they can be taught to accept saddle and bridle ground driven etc in preparation for their backing. I did actaully begin riding my Appy when he was about 2 1/2 but very lightly. We took short easy rides in a level paddok and on easy trails with an older horse friend for company. I did not begin heavy ring work with him untill he was 4.

It is a sad facty thought at in the show world (and racing world) the big money classes/races are for 2 year olds. So trainiers feel compelled to work their horses young and have them ready for the show season and for the two year old futuities which generally means starting an 18-20 month horse under saddle. Also it is expensive to raise a horse and being saddle broke makes his sale value go up. Breeders who also show and train need to get the horses sold as young as possible and having under saddle makes them more apealing to the buyer. So in order to put a stop to breaking young we would all need to do the following:

1) Stop showing your horse before he is 3 or 4 years old
2) Don't buy young horses that are broke
3) don't break in your young horse just to get him sold
4) Don't attend horse races for 2 year olds/bet on them ect.
5) Don't rush your trainer and make sure he/she knows that you want them to take their time with the horse which means your spending a lot more money on training which in turn raises the cost of keeping the horse which in turn decreases or nullifies the profit made by selling him.

I have only recently re entered the training profession after leaving it for 10 years because I hated rushing horses and breaking babies so young. I now train only for owners who want sound sane happy pleasure horses. Only used for trail riding and open or fun shows in which there is nothing to gain but the fun of being with horses. This means the owner is spending more money but I charge less than the average trainer to ecourage them to do this. I take my time with the horse and move them along at their own comfort level and I refuse to work with anyone who wants to rush a horse or uses unmetodical or harsh metods to get a quick fix. Perhaps if more people would do this we can change things but I would not count on it.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Yes, I agree Shell. There is ONLY ONE reason (IMHO) why people do this- and it is out of selfishness and greed. I'm sorry. But honestly, as I mentioned in another "infamous" thread- IS IT REALLY NECCESSARY? REALLY? As Shell states, horses live a long time. Why waste good years by being impatient?! If you don't want to wait for a baby to mature, DON'T BREED, or Don't buy babies...is that REALLY so hard?

As for the racing industry...we've seen for YEARS what the ill effects of racing babies. How many CANTER horses do we see as "brood mare only due to injury" or "companion horse only due to injury" or "walk-trot only....etc". WHY do we think that is....is it THAT HARD TO GET IT??!

I can't even express in words how frusterated this subject gets me....

[shell]

I don't think we have to stop showing our young horses, just don't enter them in ridding classes. Halter and driving would be fine, I think. I don't agree with lunge line classes though. I think if people want to show off the movement of their horses, there should be liberty classes for youngsters, not lunge line.

I know for a fact that ridding a horse that is a little older is better for them, and the rider mentally too. The 2 y/o colt I did break at almost 3 was always so full of him self and it took a long time to get his attention and get him to work. The 4 y/o's we have started are much more focused. They spook less and are just more obedient. We have had less problems mentally with our horses when we have just let them be and grow up a little.

I have a coming 4 y/o for sale right now. She will be 4 in May. I get asked all the time why she is not broke to ride yet. They think there is something "wrong" with her. When I explain that I am letting her grow up before I ride her, I get a lot of "Well, she should have been started over a year ago."

I think there are so many people doing this "Natural Horsemanship" that is supposed to be all good and great for the horse, that more of us should be concerned with the age of the horse we are starting as well.

[CowGirlUp1833]

Very well said Shell. People are always too concerned with "Instant Gratification" that they forget about the long term...

Originally Posted by shell

I don't think we have to stop showing our young horses, just don't enter them in ridding classes. Halter and driving would be fine, I think. I don't agree with lunge line classes though. I think if people want to show off the movement of their horses, there should be liberty classes for youngsters, not lunge line.

I know for a fact that ridding a horse that is a little older is better for them, and the rider mentally too. The 2 y/o colt I did break at almost 3 was always so full of him self and it took a long time to get his attention and get him to work. The 4 y/o's we have started are much more focused. They spook less and are just more obedient. We have had less problems mentally with our horses when we have just let them be and grow up a little.

I have a coming 4 y/o for sale right now. She will be 4 in May. I get asked all the time why she is not broke to ride yet. They think there is something "wrong" with her. When I explain that I am letting her grow up before I ride her, I get a lot of "Well, she should have been started over a year ago."

I think there are so many people doing this "Natural Horsemanship" that is supposed to be all good and great for the horse, that more of us should be concerned with the age of the horse we are starting as well.

[Lou3]

i agree Shell. I have never sat on a horse before they were fully three years old and never jumped a horse before they were fully four years old. Personally i like the fact that in the UK (with the exception of the racing industry) it is not permitted to compete a horse younger than 4 years under saddle. It discourages people from breaking too early as there really is no point. The health of the horse is much more important long-term than getting a short term result.
Lou

[cassidy]

i agree shell here in england we wouldnt dream of it

we dont break till there 3 an then even then they dont get ridden properly till there 4 an no serious jumping till there nearly 5!