At 19:58:51 on 18.10.10, Sophiee wrote:
I'm just curious... but what would you say is the most acceptable age to begin breaking a horse? I've heard many different opinions from my friends, some say 2 and 1/2 - mainly walking/hacking Some say 4 and just train quickly. But there are eventing classes and SJ specifically for 4 year olds, my 2yr 6 month gelding's full brother who is 4 did his first event last December! So yeah, views?

At 21:27:51 on 18.10.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
I think light backing at 3 but then put out to mature for a year, bring back in at 4 when mature and do flat work and manners until 5 when i think a horse is mature enough to do small jumps and then 6 bigger jumps and small XC jumps. That is just my opinion because i think you should take your time with a horse so not to spoil it or to put strain on muscles and developing bones because it can cause lots of problems like early artheritis among other health issues. I like to let horses progress at a pace they find comfortable and easy.

At 09:35:02 on 19.10.10, kibby wrote:
I think your best bet is to go by the horse, but i like backing around 2 1/2-3 then put out for a few months brought back in for more light work back out.. ect.. At around 4 i would bring them back in and start training them, if they seem mature i don't see whats wrong with competing in a 4 yr old class, if not then weight it out till the horse is ready..

At 20:21:09 on 19.10.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
i agree with whats been said, light backing at 2 1/2-3 out to the field for a year an then back into work at 4ish. and then depending on the horse take it from there.

At 22:22:09 on 19.10.10, Sophiee wrote:
Well I'm currently studyine Equine science and have learned a load about the joints and legs in relation to problems/work and weight bearing at a young age. I'm clued up enough to not be putting my horse under strain, I think this bloody course is making me far too paranoid regarding riding lol.. :| Anyway my horse Roy was gelded very early due to a hernia.. and so has done pretty much all of his growing.. he's 16.2/3 just now! his mum was 16hh his dad was 16.2. He is incredibly mature, moves and looks like a 3-4 year old but I can't decide when to break him. I am definately going to sit on him at christmas when we go home to get it over and done with just incase he decides hes going to be 17.2! But yeah... theres a nice hacking route around Hartpury so i suppose i could hack him out a couple of times a week.. as there is limited turnout.. I guess i'll see how it goes. I might wait until he's 3 and start him off working and giving him a week off every month or something for him to digest it lol. We'll see, thanks for your opinions! :)

At 05:10:28 on 24.10.10, bazz94 wrote:
I agree with the light backing and then pasture and then brought back in and build up slowly. I think it also has to balance out what you're feeding them, making sure they get enough vitamins and minerals from day 1 will make a huge difference to their muscle and bone strength.

At 23:28:12 on 25.10.10, Angelalain wrote:
I know of a horse who was ridden to Whip in for the hunt the winter before he was 4. He was put down at 12 due to arthritus in the hocks (bad enouggh that the last year of his life he was on dailey bute to kep him comfortable). There's nothing wrong with backing at 3 etc as long as they don't get worked and schooled daily from then on! My daughter has a 5yr old, she knows several other with horse of a similar age, most of which are doing far more than she is. One of them has been beach rides and gallops at 4 , clinics, lessons shows, and started affiliated Newcomers this autumn. Now she tells my daughter the horse (5) has done a suspensory ligament. What a Surprise! If you want your horse to last don't overdo it when they are not mature. I'm sure your course is actually making you more knowledgeable and considerate than alot of people I encounter!! Best of luck with the course and your youngster.

At 22:03:49 on 26.10.10, spotty boy wrote:
My horse is now 6 1/2 and I've had him for 2years. He is a good 16:1 and my recently new instructor thinks he may still be growing. He was backed and being ridden away when I had him. One silly person had tried to jump him and fell off - he was just point and go at this stage with no idea of anything else. As he is such a big horse i have allowed him to mature at his own pace. We have done loads of gentle hacking to educate him, and did several riding club sessions when he was four but as has already been said I want to keep him sound for the rest of his natural life and do not want to ruin his legs. He already has one splint on his foreleg. He is now mentally ready to move on and we are progressing the schooling. If you check the for sale ads there are plenty of horses at 6 and 7 that have been brought on slowly. Whats the rush?

At 09:55:56 on 27.10.10, sophieandcallum wrote:
I wouldn't back until 4 at least and would probably ride away for a month or two and then turn away for 6months or so and bring on slowly, I don't see a rush and if you want a forever friend who you want to be sound for a long time there's no point in rushing!

At 11:44:39 on 27.10.10, Dazzle wrote:
Only you will know if your horse is ready for backing. There is always great pressure from other riders who are only too willing to say this must be done by 3years and you must have done this by 4. Its like having children it will all come in time and in their own time. I have a 3 year old Oldenburg and already people are asking when am I going to start to compete and the answer is....I don't know. I think we put too much pressure on young horses today, does it matter if he does an event as a four old - no. Does it matter that he is still going and going well at 16 - yes. Like Sophie says take it slowly there is no point in rushing and fitting in with someone elses timetable.