How old was your youngster when you first

2 1/2 if they were well developed. For literally a few seconds then off again. Done once or twice over the year, other than that I don't do much with anything younger other than turn them out as babies. Then at 2 1/2, introduce having tack on and long lining a bit and hand walking out round the roads etc.

For actual riding [ie, moving!] then 3 1/2 for breaking and light hacking.

Then 4 for starting schooling and 'proper' riding on.

It's their backs I worry about as babies as opposed to legs, as spine doesn't finish till 6.

[That's for cobs mainly that have are here long term.]


Our warmblood, did nothing at all virtually till he was 4 1/2 as he grew like a weed and wasn't physically strong enough for a rider, even at 17hh back then. Granted, he's had the most injuries out of any horse we've ever had. Sods law.
 
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Exactly ditto Christmas sparkle. I have the same type of horse: cobs

Piper was 2.5yrs old. About this time of year (end of summer) he was tied to a tree, minding his own business, when I scrabbled aboard. Not that he cared in the slightest. He's been going for walks with is tack on for ages and was well used to long-reining (much prefered it to being led!) and was used to me leaning on him and standing on blocks to groom him.

I sat on him for about 10secs, gave him a pat and got off again. We did that a few times then nothing more for the winter. He got the same again as a 3yr old. At 3.5ys old my tiny mum sat on him whilst he was led about a bit and he then did some very gentle hacking (half hour walks with me riding for 5mins stretches) over the winter until he was 4yrs old

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Massively bothered:

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And first time being sat on again in spring as a 3yr old: Toby is far more interested and bothered than Piper! Being ridden is HIS job!
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I was asking really as intrigued..... Husband sat on Freddie yesterday for the first time (he's 2.5 now) wasn't even planned as in no hurry, but Freddie didn't give a rats about it, very happy. He is very wide and big at 15.3 and don't think he felt much weight lol..... Can't wait to ride him next summer :-) Cobs rock!
 
Well Nell is not long 3 and I will probably just sit on later this year, I have leant over her a few times and she has got used to that now, she is a sturdy little traditional cob too, gotta love them :D
 
Ditto Katti, my lad couldn't give a crap about me sat on him also. He's somewhat sharp, but over silly little things. Quiet as anything handling wise, but just a bit oversensitive to little things [jabbing, or 'hard' brushes if he's got some mud on him stuck etc or a new person handling him].

It's a standing joke when he's older he'll probably be a prat when it comes to quiet work in a safe school, yet be utterly bombproof in the heaviest traffic or jumping the scariest looking things lol. He's a diamond in my eyes regardless. He's exactly perfectly suited to me, so couldn't give a fig :)


http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306721_395808427142905_1551289855_n.jpg
 
I just print screened them and copied them onto paint lol.....then opened it in photoscape and added some effects :)

eta - I meant Kalli, not Katti on my other post!
 
I've only ever backed one at rising 3; a connie colt. Other than that normally as a late 3 year old or early 4 year old, depending on when I have the time.
 
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