A little surprised.......too much too soon?

[cob&onion]

Just been searching through horse mart and a few other websites looking for an idea of what my 3yr old is worth for insurance purposes only to find 3 yr olds in *proper* work - alot of them are schooling in outlines, jumping and some look to be competing in ridden classes?!?!!

Is it just me or does this seem a little much to soon for these horses? am not just talking about TBs who have raced, there are all-sorts from cobs to ponies to warmbloods. Also i thought horses had to be at least 4 before they are to be shown under saddle?

I've just started my cob who is 3 and we are just about to start trotting, then planning to have her hacking quietly around the lanes by autumn then turn away for a little while, even next year will be an "easy year* and don't plan on jumping till shes at least 4.5/5yr old.

I know some people on here don't even think about backing until there horses are 4.

Opinions please

Discuss.

 

[JFTDWS]

I backed my littler one at 3, rode him maybe a dozen times walk then trot, cantered twice, then left him till he was four when he started proper but light work - jumped him a few times that summer, turned him away when we had the snow again last year. He would only be in real full work now if he hadn't been kicked and broken his radius (well cortical fracture) My littlest one is a yearling, I don't plan on backing him till four, then turning him away, and building up over the next year. I'm not a big fan of native and cob types working in outlines at that age as I don't think they are physically mature enough. I won't comment on other breeds as I don't have experience there...

 

[Miss L Toe]

I went to see an arab cross once, described as "giving her all"..... she was barely backed.
Horses obviously vary, but I think that some riders expect a new horse to start where they left off with their last (often experienced native) pony left off.
This could explain why so many people buy something from a professional yard, take it home, and within two weeks find it does not seem to be the same horse, behaviour, schooling, mouth etc.
Most horses I am asked to "sort" (that day) have had rapid breaking in and start jumping or whatever while still babies. I put them in long reins and soon find the problem but the rider doen't want to know about re-schooling, they just want it to stop its bad behaviour: (refusing/rearing/bucking/throwing head in air/bolting/napping/biting etc)

You are doing the right thing, horses are still maturing up to age of seven, some are fast developing and some are slow, but in the long term you will have a better stronger and fitter horse if you take your time, and it is more satisfying and more interesting to do the job properly.
Another thing to consider is muscle development, every horse has areas that need to be worked on, in my case my boy spent his second winter hacking up and down hills, now he has strong quarters and inner thighs, and these are now permanent features, rushing things can lead to poor muscle development and it takes longer to re-train the second time around as you are asking him to work in a different way using weaker muscles.

 

[team barney]

I wouldn't start a horse properly until it is at least four, even then that is too young for most. I might have a little sit (bareback) for 30 seconds or so as a three year old, but I am very light, and only then if the horse was physically and mentally mature enough.

I have seen the results of competition horses started too young. One eventer had regularly competed up to Novice as a rising six year old, he changed hands for a *lot* of money. He had so much talent, he really could have reached the top. Needless to say he broke down soon after and was never able to compete any where near that level again. He needed hugely expensive vet care just to be able to hack.

There is a reason most of the top competition horses around today aren't pushed in their youth, the sensible riders know that it doesn't make for a long and healthy career. If their bodies don't go their minds will.

 

[VioletStripe]

Not that I'm any expert, but I share your opinion too. I don't see the rush to be honest! I've seen many adverts of only just rising just four year olds discussing winnings and jumping 1m10 and over.. They're only babies and I think they should be treated as such, otherwise it could cause problems later on. Even only a year could be all they need to grow up, but people rush them! xx

 

[magners1]

I see no reason not to work a 3yo unless it is not mature enough. If you are going to work a youngster then why work it in any way other than correctly- ie forward and with a good mouth (or 'in an outline'). Some are mature and crack on, others need to be started then turned away, others need more time in general. All depends on the horse!

 

[Echo Bravo]

Magners is right in oneway, but they are usually big warmbloods etc, burnout fast. Just backed my Welsh Sec D at 5 because he wasn't mature enough at 3 or 4, I don't think there is no real given rule at what age as I have a 6 year old mare, who still isn't ready, but now is improving all the time, as she is very headstrong and is starting to listen to me and I'm not into NH. I've owned her from the day she was born, so maybe next year, fingers crossed