How old are horses broken in other countries???

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BB2008

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Just been flicking through some other horse advice pages mainly for other countries, and been surprised by how young they recommend breaking in horses. I have always backed at 3.5yrs turned away for a bit and then brought into full work at about 4 yrs. Looking at american websites and they recommend backing at 2yrs and full work from 2.5-3yrs onwards! Is this just a random site I've come across or is this how it is done elsewhere?? anyone know?
 
Depends on a lot if things really. Some people here will start horses at two, and I'm sure there are people in America who wait until four to start.
 
It really depends on the country and the type of horse you are talking about.

Over here in Canada, from what I see, WB's are generally broken at 4 years old. They will likely be in full work and competing by 5 years old.

Cattle stock QH's here are generally backed and gently ridden out at 2 years old. At 3 they will still be riding out gently but will have trail hours behind them and will likely have had a play around with some cattle at low-key venues. At 4 they will be broken properly, start their schooling and getting ready to do competitions. By 5 they will be competing and will be fully broke horses who can normally turn their hand to anything.

Show QH's are something different altogether and they will likely be competing at 2 or 3 years old, fully broken and in work.

TB's and Standardbreds; pretty much the same as England; racing at 2 years old.

There is a big difference here between English riders and western riders. English riders appear to wait to back their horses, however once the horse is backed, it is very quickly brought into full work; whereas the cattle-stock QH's will be backed much younger but their training will be far more laid back and take years rather than months to perfect.
 
Find it interesting how things are done elsewhere. also depends on breeding. i.e. I have always thought ID's need more time to mature and TB's benefit from being brought on a bit early. Still think breaking a horse at 2 is too early!!
 
LOVING the new title,lmao
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The earlier the better for me!!!!x
 
b4 passports were all about i bought 2 cobs believing them to be 4, they had done a bit of hacking, wen i had vet some mths later 4 jabs etc, she said ooh thev just turned 3, horrifed........ poor girls..
 
I think breaking horses in at 3 1/2 and leave them til there 4 is brilliant, however racehorses are broken around the age of 2. horses in iceland arn't usually broken til there around 7.
 
My friend from Africa (i think) says horses are generally broken at 2 and working hard at 3, regardless of breeding......
 
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