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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Gaited Horse Training Discussions > Gaited Horse Training > starting way to young....IMO |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Gaited Horse Training Discussions > Gaited Horse Training > starting way to young....IMO |
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| starting way to young....IMO | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 6th, 2013 01:16 pm |
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1st Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member 
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I know the answer to my question is 'for the money'', but I still have to ask why they continue to race immature horses? Guess its the same as to why the "big lick" is still being done? When they reward the behavior, it will continue. But, I sure would enjoy watching, and betting on, horseracing more if I knew they were all 5 year olds. That was a great article, Karen. Thanks for posting it.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 6th, 2013 03:18 am |
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2nd Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand 
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Thank you for posting that Woolen, as usual Dr. Bennett gives thorough, concise information based on all the facts. Makes me glad I didn't ride my 3 year old very strenuously. I sure want him to be sound for many, many years. 
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| Posted: Wed Mar 6th, 2013 12:36 am |
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3rd Post |
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woolenegg G.O.G Community Member 
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Karal wrote: I'm I wrong to think at 1 year and 1/2 it's to young to be started under saddle? They just seem to be babies yet. Yes, that's too young for regular riding. To put a saddle on so the horse gets used to it or even to just briefly sit in the saddle is one thing. To actively ride is another. I just found out about this article from Dr. Deb Bennett, where she explains exactly why riding horses so young is not a good idea. She talks a lot about the racing industry, but also just in general. http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
____________________ Karen Prov 3:5-6 |
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| Posted: Tue Nov 20th, 2012 02:11 am |
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4th Post |
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Phoneprincess G.O.G Community Member
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I had an Irish Sport horse, I backed him at 3 then didnt work him til he was 5. But they mature much slower. I waited til his knees were closed before even attempting a ground pole.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 10th, 2012 02:31 am |
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5th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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Right on. I have done the tack thing when they are very young & then when they are old enough for an actual person to mount up, everything is business as usual. You are just adding the rider. They don't get very concerned at this point & settle in to riding like it's no big thing.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2012 11:00 pm |
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6th Post |
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GoneGaited2 G.O.G Community Member 
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Getting a Yearling used To a CHILDS Saddle and W/T/C Or Gait on a Lunge Line I believe is a Good Thing ... and De Spooking to Plastic Bags, Tarps, Etc.. Is SomeThing all 3 of Our Barn Trainers Who also Show APHA & AQHA & Do Quite Well .. Some Folks I Guess Dont Start until 2 or Even 3 .. We all have Our Own Personal Ways.. But No One at Our Stables Abuses or is Mean to Any Horse .. Training Horses is Always 1 Step Forward and 2 Steps Back ... Like Human Children its Give and Take .. I wish You The Very Best With Your Horse !!  Add Note ~ I Wouldnt Let a Horse Be Ridden By a Person until the Age of 2 yrs at a Mim ... Very Light Riding at that By a Light Weight " Weight " Rider.. Last edited on Fri Nov 9th, 2012 11:03 pm by GoneGaited2 |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 8th, 2012 07:45 pm |
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7th Post |
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Drifters rider G.O.G Community Member 
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I see ads for three year olds with "hundreds of miles experience with trail riding,camping" ect. I agree that it is just too young to start horses at 1 and 2 with weight on their backs. People want to sell them and make some money.
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| Posted: Thu Jun 14th, 2012 10:39 pm |
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8th Post |
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bbsmfg5 G.O.G Community Member
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Lots of folks do it and almost as many have physical problems far too soon. I'd rather have a 4+ year old that has never been touched, as one that was started too soon. Last edited on Wed May 1st, 2013 11:15 pm by bbsmfg5 |
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13th, 2012 08:29 pm |
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9th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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I've heard of folks putting 7-8 year old kids on yearlings and leading them around to get a jump on saddle training (which they will do when they are 2). Not my idea of how to start a horse, to each his own. The sad thing is when somebody buys this 'dead broke trail horse' that's only 2 1/2. How soon will he begin to break down because he carried weight too young on trails? It's got to be hard on them.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13th, 2012 01:48 am |
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10th Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member 
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The horse wont be 2 till Dec. I'm not looking to purchase. I like window shopping. The horse just looks like a yearling yet. I couldn't imagine starting her under saddle. I was wondering what others thought. I worked at an Arabian horse race barn. They didn't start horses till the fall of their second year. They raced as 3 yr olds.
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2012 09:00 pm |
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11th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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Ya, if I start riding when they turn 3, I feel like that is 'pushing the envelope' so to speak. I think it has been pretty much determined that riding a horse @ 2 is too early, let alone 1 1/2.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2012 07:49 pm |
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12th Post |
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hatcherdm G.O.G Community Member
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The longer you can go without getting on the horse's back, I think the better for the development of the horse. My icelandic didn't start with riding until he had turned 5years, which is the general practice in Iceland, though he was quite adept at groundwork by then. Personally think starting a horse under saddle earlier than 3 is economic in nature--why have a horse eating your food if it can't be ridden? Think what we do to race horses is criminal--no way are is the horse finished developing at 18 months...
____________________ Diane |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2012 01:57 pm |
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13th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member 
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I agree, a year and a half is too young to be under saddle for any breed! Also, if it's that old now why on earth did someone breed for a winter baby? My guess is that it was an accidental breeding. I know 2 is the norm for many race horses. Personally, I wouldn't start riding my horse at 2. However, I was hired at a farm to exercise horses. I started out riding a couple of two year olds. They ended up being mine and are now mostly healthy 10 year olds. (They're overweight and one is battling laminitis. They've both suffered sprained back muscles at somepoint over the years, which I treated with chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. Neither of them have had a recurrence in that injury. And it was sustained while out on pasture, not riding.) I just thought I'd add my experience for you. If you really like the horse I'd still buy him. Hopefully, they haven't ridden him enough to really do any lasting damage. I'd get a vet check though.
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2012 01:10 am |
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14th Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member
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I didn't start my TWH till this year (3), because he still looks like a baby. He is shooting up in ht so his body looks all gangly. I can free lunge him because he knows walk/whoa from just walking with a halter and lead and he seems more mentally ready this year. My MFT looks more grown up so I didn't think it would hurt as a 2 yr old. I like my to know walk/stop before I add tack to them. I feel it helps them focus on one thing at a time. Yeah I'm a slow trainer but I want my guys to last a long time. Thanks for the replies. I'm never to old for others input. 
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2012 12:03 am |
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15th Post |
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liteshodwalkers G.O.G Community Member 
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The gentleman I use to board with would train all of his 2 yo's to drive. He would start ground driving them and work them up to the 2-wheel buggy. By the time they were ready for saddle training they already knew most of the basics. There was very minimal stress on them, no heavy weight on their backs, worked in a flat and spacious ring, and nothing rushed. He never had a problem getting them under saddle. OMG I miss that man! He was Maryland Horseman of the Year in 2008. Sadly he passed away last year.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11th, 2012 06:40 pm |
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16th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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No, you're absolutely right. This is much too young to be carrying a riders weight. If I want to push the envelope some, I like to at least wait 'til they are coming three. However, there is no need to hold off on ground work in the round pen. I periodically work the horse once they are weaned. When they are yearlings I add the saddle and later I add the bridle. They get used to wearing the equipment and seem to know that when we tack up, it's time to go to school. I also get them used to me putting weight in the stirrup and laying across their back when they are in their two year old year. Then when they are 3, I can step up on them and begin riding them. I direct them by the rope halter, but they wear the bit. Later, I ride them using two sets of reins and begin to apply the bit. If they get confused, I have the rope halter to fall back on. Eventually I can do away with the halter. After they are under my control pretty good, we leave the corral and hit the pasture. Then it's down the road we go.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11th, 2012 06:32 pm |
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17th Post |
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GypsySusan G.O.G Community Member 
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My trainer does a foal year 2-week training - which is mostly handling, trailering, ground work including round pen work but he does back them with a saddle; then, in the yearling year, again 2-weeks, he repeats all ground work, etc. and adds a very lightweight rider in the round pen. After that, he will do a 2yo with the same elements and a saddled ponying on the trails. 3 yos & up will continue with same training but add a light rider - this, of course, depends on the maturity and soundness - I think it's more about conditioning their minds on the trail. When I bought my Shadow, she was 4yo and hand only ground work but was well built and able to handle a rider and she had 5 weeks with 30 rides on her when we brought her home. I didn't ride her that year and the next year, she was in foal and I didn't ride her very much - more because of life circumstances than not wanting to ride her. After her second foal (this was when she was 7), I had a couple of weeks put on her and then began riding her reguarly and putting her gait training in place. She was imprinted and I think that contributes alot to their later training and exceptional minds. So, I guess what I'm saying is it depends on the youngster and what kind of under saddle work is being done. Body wise, their knees and legs are too unstable and still growing so lots of care needs to be taken. If you're talking about full work, then I'm with you, way, way too young.
____________________ Susan www.gypsytrotters.com Phil 4:11-13, 19 Missouri Fox Trotters: To Ride One... Is to Own One. |
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11th, 2012 05:50 pm |
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18th Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member
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not sure if this is just my opinion. Is it common to be 'started under saddle' at 1 1/2years of age? There is a sweet spotted walker for sale and says started under saddle. Is it me or is that way young? I'm just starting my 3 yr old walker under saddle. Sure he knows how to tie, get clipped, bathed, load in a trailer. But I didn't start with round pen training till this year, AND he is only walking and stopping. I've just added a saddle to the pic, haven't even put a bit in his mouth yet. I have started my 2+ yr old MFT in the round pen, just walking and stopping, but I haven't use a saddle yet. He has a long ways to go before I even dream of adding a saddle. I started walking/stopping him on the lunge line cuz he thinks people are to run away from or over, or kick at. He is getting the idea that the human is the leader of the herd. His previous owner who only owned him for a short time, I believe was scared of him. They supposedly had a 'trainer' working with him and he knew how to walk trot canter on the lunge line, been saddled, bridled. I asked why. (oops wrong thing to say.) Anyway he may have known how to move, (more like scared and wanted to 'get away') he had no idea how to stop. He is doing much better now. He has learned to relax and that training is not scary. I'm I wrong to think at 1 year and 1/2 it's to young to be started under saddle? They just seem to be babies yet.
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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