i get having a 2-3 year old that is broke as can be on the ground but riding shouldn’t be started until 4
2026-02-09 22:05:26
452
Natalie🤪 :
So basically humans shouldnt play sports while growing (age 0-17) bc it can cause issues in the future. im sorry but you will never convince me that horses cant be started at 2
2026-02-12 04:26:28
55
magda✪ :
i see post all the time that say “good luck starting your disrespectful six year old karen 🤪” as if groundwork is not a thing??? like no one is saying a horse should be untouched until it’s fully skeletally mature 😭
2026-02-10 03:36:47
195
Madi🌷 :
if you do it right at 2 your horse can have better joints than a horse that was started later. My 2 year old is already being ridden
2026-02-10 11:13:24
35
LozzyBaer 🪡🧸🌸 :
I mean I don’t think its a western or English debate it’s just good horsemenship vs bad
2026-02-10 03:09:28
233
sierranedelko :
Say it louder for the people in the back.
2026-02-09 22:36:43
111
Sleepy Horse Riding :
started my QH at 4 and just started my draft cross at 6. not having them under saddle doesn't mean not doing anything at all, there is so much you can do to make them good citizens that you can just step on when it's time
2026-02-10 04:07:24
26
that.n.this ☭🔻 :
3 is too young. 5 is the age.
2026-02-10 08:23:08
45
ava.carter.54 :
My 19yo ottb begs to differ, he’s 19 and only needs his hocks done 1 time a year…. And my 21yo QH gelding also disagrees he’s a unit and badass! But, I don’t agree on heavy work at 2 or 3 30 days over a span of time at 2 and 90 at 3 is good for a horse imo. Heavy work starts are 4/5
2026-02-10 00:22:04
15
Kelsey Keathly :
My 24 yo paint gelding that was started at 2 and has shown his whole life and is still sound giving 6ish lessons/week begs to differ…
2026-02-10 17:17:05
16
allissa :
i agree with starting horses at 2 BUT i do not agree with reining at 2 or 3.
2026-03-03 15:27:22
5
Bluesstella ♡ Pararider :
My 3y old enjoying is firts trail in Longue Rene.
2026-02-10 11:33:22
14
Casey ⋆˚࿔ :
My personal timeline would be (if i were to train my own horse): ground manners and respect from day one. at one year old, i’d start teaching to lunge and desentiziation. at 2, we would get used to having a light weight saddle pad on their back, or a bareback pad so it doesn’t bounce around, along with more desentiziation. at 3 i would consider trying to put a lightweight saddle on them, and very late 3 i would possibly have a first sit (depending on their mental and physical state). the first real ride would be at 4, and no hard rides until 5 minimum.
2026-02-09 22:26:31
20
Skye :
reining horses are one of the best examples. most of those horses, especially higher in the sport, break down by 7. As someone who KNOWS a horse thats been doing sliding stops since it was 2
2026-02-10 05:57:55
8
🥨𝔼𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕖🥨 :
This is Annie, she wasn’t broken until approximately 7. She’s now 18 and still competing regularly. She has minimal arthritis and has never been lame. Don’t ruin your horses joints.
2026-02-17 02:27:56
2
Scooty Snack :
Broken at 2 btw. Was ridden till he was 30. Also there's studies that prove working them younger helps build their bodies strength etc.
2026-02-10 19:42:34
20
Ombline Thibault | 🇺🇸🇫🇷 :
Honestly I wouldn’t say that about TBs. I do agree that are started to you but war horses are a thing and there are so many amazing, sound, happy TBs out there that go on to have full careers after coming OTT. Sure they might require more maintenance than a QH but they aren’t all “broken and don’t last”
2026-02-10 02:39:50
13
ashcan3238 :
As a former exercise rider that rode horses for 2yo in training sales…. I 1000% agree. We have to stop justifying riding babies because “their knees are closed,” ok but what about the whole rest of the body? And for some reason most people think not riding equals no training- as if groundwork doesn’t exist.
2026-02-10 17:26:11
16
fish :
I’m a big believer in conditioning the horse and their body, the body needs to learn where to lay bone down and the only way to do that is by stressing it, obviously there are so many factors that go into it like maturity, composition, breeding. I don’t think there’s a sliver bullet answer. A good horse person should know when and what’s enough work
2026-02-10 07:05:29
7
Chkofthetrade :
Heavy on the mental maturity!!! We had the plan to start my warmblood filly at 3.5, but mentally she just wasn’t there, she was also still physically maturing, we plan on starting her this spring, she’ll be coming 5. If nothing else, I feel good about giving her body and mind longevity and and a future.
2026-02-09 22:33:40
6
TinselnMick :
There’s so many studies to show starting horses at a young age, no speed just constant stress on bones. If you wait to start a horse later, they won’t last because the bones aren’t built strong and have been left to grow without stress on bones. You shouldn’t do anything hard at a young age but starting them at 2 is in THEIR best interest!
2026-02-13 17:21:55
2
mcfclaura :
Yeah I’m with you on this one. 2 is too young.
2026-04-02 12:22:10
2
Gunslingercassidy :
no it does not destroy the Skeleton. the Skeleton needs movement and exercise to grow Stronger, but it needs to be done with caution
2026-02-10 11:33:42
2
WesternChrysalis :
I'd rather pay attention to peer reviewed research
2026-02-10 22:40:08
4
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