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When Should I Start My Young Horse?

This question is very common and there isn’t a general answer that works for every horse or situation. Knowing what type of conformation your horse has and what sport he is suited for will help you decide when to start him.

Have a Plan
Before you buy your young horse, or even before breeding your mare think about why you want this foal and what you would like him to be. Is your foal going to become a reining horse or a dressage horse? Once you decide what you want him to be when he grows up you must either breed or buy for the type of conformation you will need for that sport.

Conformation
Exercise, time, and duration is greatly effected by your horse’s genetics. Some horses are ready to be ridden when they are two years old, while others may have to wait a couple years before starting a horse who may still be on the small side. If your horse has strong conformation when he is two years old it would benefit him to begin exercising at that time. However, if your colt seems to be growing slowly and is still on the small side it is better to wait another six months to a year before starting him.

Regardless of age, all young horses should learn basic manners and groundwork from a very young age. Some owners disagree on this issue and believe that young horses should be turned out until they are 2 or 3. I on the other hand, think it is best for a horse to learn to be what behaviors are ok around humans from the very beginning. Waiting until a horse is 2 or 3 to handle their feet or be groomed is setting yourself up for a greater chance of frustration and failure, as teaching a 3 month old horse to lift his feet is a lot easier than teaching a 3 year old that is fresh off the pasture.

Age
Research suggests that light exercise during a horse’s early years will help his body adapt to increased amounts of exercise. A horse’s tendons are at their most elastic stage when a horse is under the age of two. This is the perfect time to begin exposing your horse to some of the movements and obstacles he will face as an adult. Horses practice running in the pasture when they are foals to prepare their bodies to do so when the need arises. The same is true when training a young horse to become a jumper. If a yearling jumps only a few times a month his coordination will improve and the movement will be stored in his muscle memory. Many other types of animal training as well as human training begins early in life.

Early learning is important, but is must be done slowly and carefully. You need to access your horse to see what kind and how much training he is ready for. Remember that horses are not fully grown until they are 7 years old. Riding a horse too early can cause serious soundness problems later in life. Quality training in small amounts is key for a sound and successful young horse.