When to start Babies

[Gracie]

Hi there!
I need your help! My friend is riding a 3 year old at my barn and they are just starting to jump this horse! i tried to explain to my friend that it's bad to jump young horses but all the lesson kids seem to think it's fine as long as they are just jumping low fences! It's not like the horse is mine , but I'd hate to see the horse get hurt! Can you guys please give me some information on how long it does take a horse to finsh developing and help me explain to them that jumping a three year old is wrong! Thanks guys!(I know you guys can help make a horses life healthier and longer!) And can you also maybe give some horror stories that can help scare them from jumping this horse: Like different injuries that can happen to a horse who jumps too soon! thanks again!

[Silvia]

In Austria most warmbloods are started between three and four years, Haflingers and ponies a year later. It really depends on the horse when he is ready to jump. My trainer uses trotting poles right from the start, but does not jump until the horse is balanced enough to canter on a circle. And of course he starts with tiny jumps. He does not really practise jumping - he is doing a dressage session with maybe one or two jumps in the lesson out of a collected canter. This gives the horse the feeling that there is nothing special about a jump or two.
I do think three years is a bit early for a horse to jump on a regular basis.

[ClaireB]

As far as I know, horses mature physically around 6-8yrs. Some breeds later still. That doesn't mean you don't jump before 6, but it gives some idea of how much development and strengthening their muscles and bones have yet to do.

I haven't owned a young horse, but have always been taught that you do long reining, lungeing etc. at 3, probably back them and tiny bits of schooling late 3, then ideally turn away for a few months (like winter) and start again in their fourth spring.

There is so much time, most horses live till well over 20 so why put strain on their young bodies too soon? I would also say that the younger the horse is ridden, the better the rider needs to be.

[Wally]

It depends a lot on breed. Some horses are not started until 5 but don't start jumping till a year later. A thoro'bred may well be okay jumping small fences at three physically, but are they mature enough mentally? It all depends on the individual horse. I personally wouldn't like to start a 3 yo. jumping I think 4 is early enough, let 'em get their legs and balance sorted first.

[Allie]

Most horses (pony breeds not included) are fully matured around aged five. It is probably not going to hurt this hore to do small jumps occasionally, but I certainly wouldn't jump him every day. I would say they should be okay with major jumping training around age 4.

Allie

[Outrider]

I know most of you don't agree with this, but for horses used for stock work here in the US, we start them at 2. Racing quarter horses do as well. Now I don't have any experience with the racing industry, but as far as cow ponies go, I have never had a problem starting them at 2.

[Fufi]

Dear Gracie,
You are right to be concerned! A horse should really only be starting his ridden career at 3, not be jumping. It makes me so angry to hear tales like this, as work of this level will just ruin any horse. Take racehorses for example. Some are racing at 2, hard work at that, and these are the ones who are practically useless except for breeding by the time they're 5! My babies are backed at 3, played with, and then left to mature. In my opinion, horses don't mature physically til they are around 5 years old. So this poor horse sounds like he will be a wreck before too long. Remind these people of the amount of stress a limb takes on landing, and on an immature frame the damage is extensive. Concussed feet, strained tendons, bruised back and a hard mouth( even the best riders can't completely avoid a jab with the bit)are the very least he will suffer! So stick to your guns girl, and let them know it's not on. (p.s. In a situation like this, I can reccommend learning karate, I'm a black belt!) Seriously though, don't let them intimidate you, and rouse the other folks on your yard from their indifference. It's as cruel as beating a horse.
Best of luck,
Fufi

[Maci]

They shouldn't be useing a three year old for jumping, much less lessons! A three year old needs time to develop, and should start work around age five, I say. If they jump him at three, he hasn't been given time for his bones to fully develop, and if he trips, or hurts himself in some way, big or small or trot pole jumps, that could ruin his riding carrer in the years to come. Plus, their backs haven't yet fully developed, so if they appear to be fine now, he will more than likely have a back problem when he gets older!

Good Luck!
Maci :)

[Gracie]

It tried to explain everything you guys said to my friends and it turned into a BIG fight, they won't even talk to me! The girl said that she should be allowed her own opinion and she thinks it's ok because humans arn't fully developed and i explained that no one makes a human run in circles, walking then jogging then sprinting then asked to jump a fence with a heavy person on their back and she said "Well horses are big strong animals!" I'm basically being ingnored by all my stable friends at the barn now because they feel that I shouldn't say anything because it's none of my business and it's not my horse so why do I care!I don't know what to do, by trying to be fair to the horse I've lossed my barn buddies! It's hard but i truely believe a three year old should not be jumped! They don't seem to know a lot about babies so I think they think I'm just acting like a know it all because I bought a yearling! Also I'm in it for the horses not the riding! I mean i love to ride but what would be riding with out a horse? Plus I want my baby to live a long healthy life, and not be broken down at five! I think the best thing I can do is set a good example by not jumping my horse till she matures! (I'm not riding her even yet, but hey!) I feel that I'm the only smart one at the whole stable that knows a three year old should not be jumped. I guess if they want to be immature and not talk to me it's their loss ... right?
Thanks again guys! :( i'll try to smile! :)

[Allie]

Outrider- I don't have a problem with starting two year olds (that's when both of my horses were started), it's just that jumping puts so much more stress on legs and tendons and bones that flat riding does. As long as you take it easy, you are not going to hurt a horse by starting them as two-year olds.

Allie

[Dizzy]

you've fallen out with your friends. The 'starting' of youngsters is a very controversial subject. There's not alot you can do or say if its someone else's horse, hard as it is not to voice your opinion. I often have to bite my lip. Alot of people have fixed views because of the way they have been taught and by whom. Also young horses usually love to please and try thier best, so when its suggested they aren't capable of doing things, you're not believed.

My 'baby' Breeze is rising 4, she was bred from my namesake 'Dizzy' who was put down in '98 because of problems in her feet. When Breeze was born she was quite a big foal, from a smallish mare and I'm not exaggerating, she did not have a straight leg. Her back legs were 'windswept' - both going in the same direction and both front legs were straight to the knee, then went in opposite directions. She has straightened up- to everyone who saw her's amazement, she now has good strong, straight legs - though when a young horse grows, they grow back legs first, you notice their bum is higher than thier withers, when Breeze has been 'down hill' I can see one of her front legs isn't quite straight, from the knee down over, as soon as she evens up she is straight again.

What I am trying to say is that when she grows, she is obviously unbalanced and it puts a strain on (it must be) her weakest leg, she was 'down hill' once or twice last year so if I had backed her or done any strenuous work it would have added to the unbalance she obviously felt. Unfortunately it is hard to get this across to some people as they say, as you have said your friend said, they are big and strong.

I am looking forward to backing my 'baby' this Spring, it has been a long wait but hopefully well worth it.

By the way Breeze is a part bred QH, her dad was QH and her Mum Arab x Welsh.

I hope you enjoy your young horse as much as I enjoy mine. And I hope your friends see sense and realise it is only because you care you have been outspoken.

Yours Lesley

[Outrider]

I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing about jumping, but I would also agree that jumping should be done later than 3! I base my 2 year old starting mostly on cattle work and regular trail riding. I would love to learn how to jump. That has got to be the closest thing to flying short of an airplane, and I've jumped out of those! :) I surely agree that a horse should not be put in a jumping role until much older.

Gracie, don't worry about the others there. The only friend that you need at the barn will love you unconditionally, as long as you do the same for him. As you say, just set the example and see who is still riding their horses when they get into their teens. Happy Trails!