Is this right??

[Dizzyblonde99]

Am I right in thinking horses shouldn't be jumped untill they are around 4 years old as they havent devoped properly untill then?

Having looked at a few horses on the internet they seem to be jumping early e.g this one http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/3_yrs_15_3_hh_bay_thoroughbred_cornwall/111702

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Wouldn't jump a baby. Maybe trotting poles. Hate seeing horses rushed!

 

[eggs]

I don't usually start the youngsters jumping under saddle until their are 4 but will often let them pop over a small jump on the lunge when they are 3.

I have seen a lot of 2 and 3 year olds loose schooled over pretty decent fences.

 

[TinselRider]

What people forget is that the horses growth plates are still settling / developing (in the case of WBs) at that age horses staring to jump so young ***on a REGULAR** basis are looking to break down at a very young age

I barley jump my 5yo WB once a week as he is still developing.

 

[Kokopelli]

I don't like jumping until 4, this is because of the obvious physical problems and because I don't think most horse are mentallly ready. I think there are more young horses being jumped because the market is so bad that they need to be better to get the asking price.

 

[Dizzyblonde99]

Okay thank you for your responces , it's a real shame to see these horses being jumped young :/

 

[MosMum]

Jumping with rider is one thing, jumping on the line is quite another IMHO. A wild horse would be jumping from a day old, if a predator was after it and there was something in the way to jump over.