Is H&H condoning this? This is not a racehorse!

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So what exactly is the problem? It's not what i'd do but it takes all kinds!! I'd question parentage .... if i was interested, which i'm not.
 
In Ireland I believe they hunt 3yr olds - the pony looks physically mature enough to me....not ideal but certainly not a cruelty case imo.
 
If that pony was in Ireland that would not be unusual at that age! Not our horse, owners might have backed it v recently and just got it going to make it saleable and attractive to a nice home? Buyer can turn it away to grow on if they wish. Let's be honest, not easy to find an ordinary unbroken 3yo a good home, they might actually be improving it's prospects.
Bit hyper critical imho.
 
A rising 3yold already on work? Worth less than half that imo and would benefit from being turned away now. I don't expect they actually done much if any harm, however it's not recommended as we all know!
 
Its not ideal, but certainly not terrible when put into perspective.
My friend rescued a ridden 6 month foal.. now that is what I call shocking!
 
This is so depressing if this commonplace. It's rising three and done schooling including cantering - and shod in front:eek:
No wonder there are so many horses and ponies with health problems before they're 10 years old:confused::mad:
 
Breaking and even working at 2 seems to be common in domestic and sport horses but does it make it a good idea for the horse? That's the question for me.
 
What I find more alarming is the responses on here. Accept that this happens but it is cruel and vile and should be stopped but while folk just say worse happens and someone actually buys it it will go on and get worse. Poor we soul is in a pretty bad place and a poor state at that
 
To be honest I have more of a problem with the fact my thoroughbred was broken at 18 months old.

My point exactly - it's bad enough that racehorses are broken as yearlings and worked so young, this isn't a racehorse.
If there are other examples of even worse abuse, then that depresses me even more:eek:
I agree with you Windandrain, people seem to accept this is ok.
It's as bad as putting a three year old child to work in a factory! they are mentally and physically immature and their bones are still soft and growing. They will be being put under far too much strain which will lead to arthritic conditions before they are ten years old!
Disgraceful abuse of a dumb animal I say:(
 
What I find more alarming is the responses on here. Accept that this happens but it is cruel and vile and should be stopped but while folk just say worse happens and someone actually buys it it will go on and get worse. Poor we soul is in a pretty bad place and a poor state at that
I accept it happens and at even younger ages but no way do I condone it. :eek:

What are the reasons for such early starting then?
 
I accept it happens and at even younger ages but no way do I condone it. :eek:

What are the reasons for such early starting then?

Obviously because they don't have to keep it and feed it until it is properly mature when it would have a better chance of staying sound and healthy.
Why wait another two years when they can get the money now:(
 
Gosh I don't think I'd want to put a 5 year old child to work in a factory myself!

Yes I think breaking at 2 is wrong, but until the racing industry stops doing it is there really any reason it shouldn't be done for riding horses?

Of course I know there are lots of reasons, I just don't want ANY horses to be ridden at that age!
 
OP - the e-mail address of the seller is on there - you could e-mail her and ask her to confirm whether the information re the age is correct - it could be a slip of the finger and that although the pony is actually 3 in age, it is actually rising 4 and they have put "rising 3" in error - there is a massive difference between rising 3 and rising 4 - mine will be 4 in May and is hacking out at weekends in walk for 30 minutes, but i would not have done this 12 months ago - it really could be a slip of the fingers on the advert...
 
The pony does look very young and her posture is not great hind legs underneath her body, back looks quite dipped and a lack of belly muscle is a dead giveaway she is a baby, this will only get worse if she is not left to mature and will cause problems later in life, note the rider smiling in the picture I would not be seen sitting on such a young horse obviously clueless imo.

I am living in Hertfordshire now might not be far from me might do a bit of digging.
 
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Gosh I don't think I'd want to put a 5 year old child to work in a factory myself! Exactly my point:confused:

Yes I think breaking at 2 is wrong, but until the racing industry stops doing it is there really any reason it shouldn't be done for riding horses? Why suggest we damage more horses just because the racing industry do it???????

Of course I know there are lots of reasons, I just don't want ANY horses to be ridden at that age!
Yes at least we agreee on that;)
 
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