getting conflicting advice - please help

[leno289]

ok 5 weeks ago i purchased myself a youngster - 2 in may -well i have been doing nothing with him other than leading him in hand getting him used to commands i,e woah stand move over etc- picking feet, grooming etc -stable manners - me being in stable with him - him respecting my space etc - i plan to leave him till perhaps summer next year till i do much more with him but other saying that i should be thinking of bitting and backing him this summer and then turning him away to bring him back next spring - he will then only be coming up 3 -fraid to say this has caused somewhat of an argument but surely i am right (this other person by the way is a AI). am beginning to question myself now

[Daffy Dilly]

Personally I would never start bitting (unless manners/control is an issue) until 3 anyway. I figure let them be young.

What you are doing sounds great, and I would keep it up and just ignore the AI. :)

[KateWooten]

I agree - stick to your guns. There is no reason to back a youngster early - it's more strain on them for no value, You have the rest of your life with this horse. In the meantime, there's a huge amount of groundwork you can do for respect, control and flexiblity - while never going faster than a walk if you don't want to ... I would advise keep reading and learning as much as possible about how different trainers start their youngsters ... and find a different AI to listen to !

[Skyhuntress]

Bitting, I have no problem with. Especially since a lot of our yearlings are shown in breed classes that require them to wear bridles. It's not a bad idea, nor does it hurt them in any with if you fit a gentle bit, because they are actually small enough that you can get them to accept it without them throwing up their heads as some horses do and it isn't a huge deal whatsoever ;)

As for backing, absolutely not. There is no reason why ANY horse should be ridden at age 2. Definately stick to your guns, as Kate said. You are in the right. And when your horse stays sound because you waited a bit longer, you'll be giving yourself a huge pat on the back.

As for things to do though; you can start free schooling him, getting him used to voice commands. Practice trailering him, walking him over tarps, trotting in hand, stretching, ect

Have fun! :)

[Bay Mare]

I agree, no reason at all not to do ground work (NOT lunging), long reining, bitting etc but I would definitely not be backing a 2 year old. You are right to follow your instincts, don't let anyone make you think that you are wrong on this because you're not. The longer you can leave it before you back him (not talking about leaving him till he's 20 ;) ) then the healthier is he likely to be in the long run.

[shaiarabians]

this is your horse and your decision do it your way just say thankyou but im going to do it my way

Liesl