2 1/2 to young to break???

Yes definitely! I wouldn't get on any horse until they are at least 3 in my opinion. I have bought a horse that was broken in early and trained in jumping etc at 3 and he had such poor stunted development!
Thats my opinion anyway :P
 
Yes definately!

You could start bitting and getting them used to a saddle etc, and do a lot of handling in the stable, but they're not developed enough to be ridden.
 
It depends on the horse entirely and what each individual terms as actually breaking.

Groundwork and a lightweight rider up for a bit at a time isn't going to wreck your 'Average Joe' well grown two and a half year old.
 
Yeah, in my opinion. And i cant stand people who are too impatient to let their horses mature. At 2 and a half i would only be introducing to tack. Please please dont think that lunging isnt going to hurt, theres nothing i cant stand more than people who dont understand how stressful lunging is on young joints.
Be patient and leave your horse another 6 months to mature.
x
 
I would do ground work, lung etc but I wouldn't consider putting anything other than a saddle on its back. It's still a baby in my eyes and should be horsing around in a field with its friends. I wouldn't back until 3 1/2 but that is my opinion.
 
It's referred to as "backing" now, not "breaking", for obvious reasons.

Perhaps you could tell us what you mean/what you feel you could start doing?:)
 
2 1/2 is far too young to back. I've got two three year olds who had tack on as yearlings but I've done more with the NF as he's got to be sold but he's only walking and trotting under saddle They're lunged a bit and long-reined quite a lot but only been backed this summer, if you can call the WB "backed" - she's been sat on twice!
 
Depends what you are wanting to do... break in the traditional terms of rider on back ect yes but if its like haltering, leading maybe even a bit of light long reining I think that is fine.
 
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I'd be looking to do some join up, some long reining, walking in hand, teaching not to be bolshy etc so general manners, have a saddle and bridle on and maybe a few minutres of lunging just to get the idea of it. No human would physically sit on her til 3, but would generally lean over, put foot in stirrup as in about to mount (No actual pressure applied)

only saying last bit as i had a mare before (back etc all checked) that as soon as u went to her side and put foot in stirrup would go to run off or spin about.
 
Yes- 100% yes- I learnt from experience! I long rein my two out and they are only 2 and a half but would never sit on them not till july/aug next year
 
Sammi&Leigha said:
I'd be looking to do some join up, some long reining, walking in hand, teaching not to be bolshy etc so general manners, have a saddle and bridle on and maybe a few minutres of lunging just to get the idea of it. No human would physically sit on her til 3, but would generally lean over, put foot in stirrup as in about to mount (No actual pressure applied)

only saying last bit as i had a mare before (back etc all checked) that as soon as u went to her side and put foot in stirrup would go to run off or spin about.
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lunging a youngster is the worst thing to do in my opinion your better off long reining
 
I have recently converted to western riding and most of the horses are started around 2 then left to mature, and by started I mean they do get a rider onboard and after groundwork to install respect and control a rider will then walk, trot and canter normally in a round pen.
My horse is now 3 and I ride him with respect and the training he has had has been remarkable, he is however quite a well built and good minded horse.
I would be careful with a horse that is not well developed and looks weak as it probably will be.
But there is nothing stopping you doing work from the ground and then having the occassional sit, i would also reccomend a treeless saddle to avoid any fitting problems.
 
I have a 2 year old that has been bitted, had a roller on, long reined and taken for walks down the lane..."experience walks" I wouldn't dream of lunging or letting anyone sit on him until he's at least 3.
I even think 3 can be a bit young for some horses and i have had youngsters that haven't had anybody on their backs until they were 4.
There is so much you can do with youngsters without getting on them.
Try trailer loading, go for walks etc etc.
I also lead him to the mounting block and stand a step higher than him so he gets used to someone being higher than him.
When he's 2 1/2 (after Xmas) i will attempt to put a Synthetic saddle on his back so he's used to it.
I would give him at least until he's 3. If he's not 3 until next year i would leave him until the spring...give him the winter to be a baby but that doesn't stop you from doing new things with him.
Good luck with your youngster :)
 
Well I was asked the other day when I would start riding my 17month colt! :eek:
Ok they didn't actually know how old he was but I don't think he looks old enough to be ridden do you?! Still my baby! lol


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Anyhoo, wouldn't back mine until at least three and a half, and that is lightly sitting on then turn away until 4+ depending on maturaty. They have a whole life ahead of them to be working.

Nothing wrong with bitting and long reining etc tho. The more ground work you can do the better.
 
Depends on your definition of break. Personally I think that if you ride a horse too young it is very easy to break them. I can't think of any good reason for not waiting until they are at least 3 years old, although my young horse changed so much mentally and physically between 3 and 4 years old that I am really pleased I backed her when she was 4.
 
I've a 2 yr 5 month old Dutch warmblood.
I consider her way to young to back, in fact all I think she should be doing right now is having fun with her pals and growing up.
All I do with her and my other young one is bring them in, groom, pet and put them back out.
When she turns 3 next spring, I will work with her from the ground, in hand walking out, long lining, get her used to all of her tack.
Towards the end of the summer when she's approaching 3 1/2 I will teach her to lunge, but it will only be 10 mins at a time.
She'll then be turned away for the winter to continue growing up.
When 4, I'll return to her education, a month reminding her of what she was taught at 3 and she will then be backed at about 4 years 3 months - thats plenty early enough in my opinion x
 
We have just backed a 4yr old and decided she is neither physically nor mentally ready and turned her away for another year. Her sister was started at 5.

If you want a horse to ride now then don't buy a baby. Simples.
 
yep unless racing my boy was backed at three and i hacked him out everywere just at walk for a year no lunging one or two sessions trootting and jumping hes four and a half now brilliant hack working on schooling <im the stiff one not him > hes had some health issues lately but were getting on track now think its best to look at bigger picture
 
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