At 00:48:20 on 18.03.10, wrote:
My mum bred a cob with a locking stifle and started working with him at 3 rising 4,he was never rushed and was eventually jumped.He now has grown out of his locking stifle,it took a while to break and school him but cobs dont actually mature tiil they are 7.So take your time and try to be gentle and patient.If you rush her you will ruin her shes only a baby.

At 07:50:38 on 18.03.10, mrs rallorange wrote:
I have had my baby since he was 4 months old, we have taken him for a walks every week, sometimes more, he loves to go and is used to nearly everything, gives me exersice to, the bond between us is lovely. He is 3 next month. Thanks to everyone for there advice.

At 18:00:51 on 18.03.10, Angelalain wrote:
His bones will not be mature yet, its a bit like working 7 and 8 yr old kids in the mines in Victorian times! As long as you don't ride him for long I don't think you will do him too much harm, but I do know of a nice little cob who has a dreadful dipped back as a result of being hunted at 3!! I understand you want to introduce him to as much as you can before he gets too big, strong and bolshy and makes life difficult for everyone. My daughters TB was backed at three and wandered around a bit (20mins round the stubble at a walk etc.) He also went to a few in hand shows to get out and about. He then had the winter off and came back really well, worked last summer and started jumping at the end of the season , still only 2-3 times a week. He's now just come back into work having been off cos of the bad weather, and he's come on so much while he's been thinking it all over. 3 months off and she lunged him one day, got on the next and went for a hack the third, all with not a single problem.Taking them slow and steady never hurts. Lovely to hear about his walks, I used to take my youngster out (years ago) hop on for 5 mins, get off and walk for 10, get on again etc, he was never a problem either.

At 18:24:06 on 18.03.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
They are also not fully mature til 7 or 8 so I wouldn't be working them alot until then, my boy was only just mature in the body at 8, in the mind he is still 5....haha short sessions are best for concentration levels and then do something fun! I like schooling him on hacks mostly much better for the brain and boredom factor! Going round in circles is very boring don't you know! Causes tantrums too in my experience. Would just take it slow with your boy giving him a winter off would be good for him too, lets them mature and switch off and usually come back better than before:)

At 23:25:00 on 18.03.10, Benny wrote:
Heya Ive Have Got A 6 Year Old He Was Broken 2 Harrness At The Age Of 2 And He Was Broken To The Saddle At The Age Of 3 We Havent Had Any Problems With Him Or Anything It Really Depends How Much Work Your Going TO Be Doing With Your Horse!! I Work In A Riding Stable Have Done 4 Many Years Now We Brake Them In When There 3 And Turn Them Out 4 8-12 Months Then Bring Them Back On To Do Work! Its Really Good 4 The Horse 2 :D xx

At 10:52:43 on 13.04.10, HorseVet wrote:
Locking stifles happen in young horses because the upper leg muscles are weak. Hill work is traditionally the exercise to help most with this and it's the quality of the work that's going to make the difference more than how much you do. I agree that you don not want to spend lots of time in one session but there's nothing wrong with short bouts of work regularly. Youngsters also need time off - so do some work regularly for a month or and turn away for a month or 2. Youngsters are better worked from the field for this reason too as the muscles will build a base line of fitness thye won't do stood in a box. Best wishes HorseVet
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