What age do you think is best to start training/riding your horse

As a horse breeder and one-time trainer I have pretty strong opinions on this one ;) First of all, horses continue growing until they are around 7 years old. They may not gain much height past 3 or 4, but their build is maturing and they are still babies IMO. Many people only see the size of the horse and assume that it is ready to ride because of how big it is. Others go by the knee joint and whether it is "closed". I believe that horses should be handled from birth onwards. It is far easier to teach good manners when they are still small enough that you are stronger than they are. At my farm the babies are haltered within 24 hours. They begin basic leading training from day one, first with a "hug hold", then with a hand on the halter and one on the quarters, then by the halter (around 2 weeks), then in a pair with their mom (around 3 weeks). I add a lead rope around weaning time (that way if they break away before that there is no lead to risk them tripping/stepping on and hurting themselves). Once weaned the babies continue basic handling (including grooming, getting their feet done, etc - all of which starts from day 1). As yearlings they learn to cross-tie. If possible I have shipped them at least once before weaning, but I continue the trailer training as yearlings. They also learn to longe and to free jump as yearlings (over a pole on the ground and a small crossrail maybe 1' high - more to give them the idea of jumping since that is what I breed for). Two-year-olds start basic longing training. They wear a bridle and learn how to go around in a circle at a walk and trot (no cantering yet, only 4-5 session for the whole year). They do a bit more free jumping (2-3 sessions over the summer up to 2'6") and free longing. Otherwise they pretty much hang out and be kids. At three the "real" training begins. They do more of the free work, but we also introduce a saddle, add the canter to longing and prepare for under saddle training. IN the fall of their three-year-old year they long-line and are backed. Usually we only ride them a few times before letting the have the winter off. At four they begin real training, w/t/c and showing. I don't jump them under saddle until five (other than the odd crossrail here and there). So, that's they way I like to see it done. I can't stand the concept of riding yearlings. Two-year-olds can put up with some light riding, but I still feel they are too immature to do much - they are still learning to be a horse. Good for you not rushing your horses. Good luck with getting them started!

Starting to train your horse right from birth is the right way. There is so much you can teach them from the ground. As to when to start riding your horse depends on the horse as they all mature at different times. However a general rule is you should not be starting to ride your horse until the bones in his or her knees knit together. This happens with most horses between 2-21/2 years old. Even then you should start them and then leave them until they are three before you start riding lots. Horses in competition and racing are started much too young in my opinion. It is all about the money. If you plan on keeping and enjoying your horse without developing lameness problems later on in life then you should stay off his back until he or she is more mature. I have been to reining competitions and have noticed that many of the horses are suffering from lameness. If you want to send your horse to a big trainer, they want your horse at 18 mos old so they can have them ready ror the two year old futurities. No wonder half of them are cropped. The same thing happens in racing. In my opinion the breed, racing and competition associations should move the age up one year. However then they would have to feed and keep these horses one more year. That would certainly cut into their profit margin.

The usual age is 4-5 year old before you should ride horses because before that they are not considered grown enough to support the weight of a rider. Although as you have said training should begin as soon as they are born, so that they are used to being handled. I don't agree with race horses being ridden so young as it isn't good for their bones but I suppose the jockeys are so light, it doesn't effect them that badly.

I worked with my stud colt from the day he was born, imprinted him from the moment he hit the ground and worked with him daily after that. He followed us around like a puppy. You're right that some people start horses under saddle when they're too young. They may look big enough, but their skeletal structure is not complete and you can hurt their back for later years by starting too young. You can start a coming two year old under saddle with no rider, but I wouldn't put a rider on a horse until closer to three. You can do a lot of things with the horse to get him ready for it and make it much easier for him to accept a mount when its time. I'm no expert, but that's my opinion.

I can't really add anything about age, as PersonalEnigma has pretty well covered the ages I'd start. However, I would like to say that too many people look at the racing industry as the "leader". "Well they start racing at two, so I can start riding my yearling on short trail rides". (Yes, I have heard that! Yikes!) What most people fail to see is the extremely high amount of break downs within the racing industry. They may race them at two, but they're doing so without a care as to whether or not the horse will be ridable at 6.

You should start training horses with handling skills while they are still foals. Little things like getting them used to a halter and eventually leading them around when they can be sperated from their mother will help in the future. Also brushing them and picking up their hooves is a good way to start. A good age to start training a horse to ride is around two or three years old.

I agree with what everyone else has said on this discussion. I have been in the horse business so to speak for 50 years, boarding and teaching etc. And the race horses do get broken and ridden too early these days and I certainly do like the idea of waiting until the babies are three to ride them. And the other thing is that there are tons of things you can do to train these babies while you are waiting to ride them. You can ground drive them with the saddle and bridle on for a long time and then when it is time to actually get on them, they are all ready to go except for getting used to the weight on their backs. But their joints and bones are really not ready for weight on them until 4 or 5 years of ages. And if you have a very light rider, maybe a little earlier. If you would like some more information on ground driving, just ask me to be a friend, and I will be glad to help you as much as I can.

I think if you have the foal on your place when it is born, it is great to have alot of interaction with them. It's best to get any horse halter broke as soon as possible. As for a time frame, generally I will start working with the saddle or at least pads and such by 14-16 months, then saddle by 20 months. I too believe that the horse needs time to grow, but by two years old, you can do some light riding. I don't believe in putting them into serious work until they are 4, as their knees aren't fully closed until then. I see alot of horses at barrel racing that are running barrels at 2, and I know those horses are pretty much useless by 8. Their joints aren't ready for that type of work that early. I start horses under saddle at 2. But they only get light riding. By 4, they have a good handle and are ready to move on to a chosen event. They are also more mature and ready to take on a new job.

You are absolutely correct in waiting to ride until you feel your horses are mature enough. I am a Thoroughbred owner/trainer/breeder. I have never raced any of my horses at two because I don't think they are mentally or physically mature enough to handle the stress. If it were up to me, two year olds would not be allowed to run at all. Take your time and enjoy your horses. Your patience will be rewarded!!