Why are horses sold so young?!

[Beanolove]

Recently I have been seeing ALOT of 3 year old ponies being broken in and apparently they are all "100% safe" or "perfect in every way" and even "suitable for a nervous/novice rider." It sounds like there lying, but I wanted to know what u think about selling them so young already broken in and apparently suitable for a nervous novice? Is it best to buy a young horse or to go for an older one that has more experience? I have lost my confidence so looking for a safe hack.
Thanks,
Beanolove

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

If you have lost confidence no way should you buy a youngster, best thing to do might be to get yourself some lessons at a good RS, maybe some jumping and perhaps look for a share on something you can enjoy. You should find that once you start to understand the training process [horse and rider], you will overcome your nervousness.
The reason for breaking and selling at three can only be to make it pay, a few might be ready for light schooling with a suitable rider, but not all of them are the paragons of virtue we see advertised ............... they may seem calm as they have been broken by confident and skilled riders, but once they go out in to the big bad world things can take a turn for the worse............

 

[nianya]

Having done a bit of training now, 3 is a lovely age. They think everything is wonderful and you think you have the best angel on your hands. At 4 or 5 they suddenly decide not to be so lovely for a year or three And I would never believe a 3 year old is fully trained, they should really just be started at that point. So if you are set on getting yourself a horse look for one who is older, or as Bonkers2 suggests take some lessons on some steady schooling horses.

I don't know if this will help you. But a good friend and trainer I knew used to say that your combined time under saddle (horse+rider) should be at least 15 years. Not your ages, your actual time in the saddle (or under it for the horse). Seems like a good metric, that way at least one of you is well experienced