Starting Young Horses Later?

Wherever you stand on the debate about appropriate age to start a young horse - one thing is important to understand.

Strength does not appear by just existing and waiting for a certain age.

Of course, a young horse can be weaker than a more developed, older horse -

But the danger for many in throwing the baby out with the bathwater here is waiting around til the horse is old enough to be driving their own kids to school to teach them anything of import.

I hear so often from folks concern and alarm about young horses lunging or doing in hand work. Waiting is best, they often say - and I am not here to address this complex topic of appropriate age to start a horse, but to say - strength does not just come in the mail on their 8th birthday, like a membership to AARP card. While you may not be riding your young horse, it's wise to remember that moving the shoulders upward is a result of training and conditioning. Going from no weight on the back to 150 lbs or more overnight is not suddenly better simply because they've aged - while their growth plates might be closed, if they have no training, no muscular development or experiences to support this sudden abrupt change, are we really benefitting them?

Most of us don't have the benefit of hundreds of acres for muscular and atheltic development. Most of us, especially out east, are dealing with flat paddocks, pastures, or maybe even stalls. It is essential to get our youngsters moving over a variety of terrain if at all possible, and developing the strength and coordination needed to carry a rider.

Appropriate in hand work for the horse's age solves this issue. Working through the gaits on the ground to develop stability and stamina. Carrying a saddle in good positions and frames helps develop the strength to resist gravity by lifting the back against a weight. My teacher even had me attach sand bags in incremental weights to horses being prepared to start. One day this weight will be you.

Don't just wait for physical strength to come to you - you have to actively develop it. Not only are you developing this strenght, you're giving the horse tools to manage learning, life, resilience, and a lifetime of health and wellness.