Starting horses in America

[SpeedyPony]

The thread over in Competing and Training had me thinking- why do Americans (seemingly) start horses so much younger?
I've been following a couple of Western pleasure riders on SM, which I find fascinating as it's so different to what I'm used to, but it seems like it is quite normal for horses to be under saddle at 2 over there?
I imagine the age they're broken in varies somewhat between disciplines/individual riders, as it does over here, but I wondered if the difference was just due to tradition, or some more practical reason?

 

[Lyle]

I can't speak for all disciplines, but the western disciplineshave 2yo futuries which are worth $$$$. Just like racing, where owners want to see quick returns on the horses they have purchased and sent for training

 

[SpeedyPony]

I can't speak for all disciplines, but the western disciplineshave 2yo futuries which are worth $$$$. Just like racing.

Ah, that makes sense, although it's a shame if horses are having to be rushed in order to be profitable. There go a lot of disciplines though!