What age to start training?

sallyanna · 03-19-08, 08:18 PM

How old does a horse have to be to start training? Is there a minimum age before harness training or even actual riding? I know it can depend a lot on the horse, but what about the actual physical limitations of the horse?

barnbum · 03-23-08, 08:49 PM

Training from the ground should start at birth with imprinting and move to ground manners and conditioning to new situations and things. As for when a horse should be ridden 3/4yrs is pretty good to start a horse as earlier can ruin their legs and backs and lead to long term problems. Race horses are often started earlier but have shorter careers as the younger the better for weight restrictions. Harness training other than just putting it on the horse would fall under the same thing. You can harness and ground drive a horse without them pulling anything, lunge, ground drive and do plenty of things that will train a horse to deal once a rider is on their back.

ellie · 03-25-08, 01:29 PM

Good bit if information there, I wasn't sure the difference between a race and a non race horse if it might differ or not for training times either.

barnbum · 03-28-08, 02:45 AM

The only difference I've ever really seen between training to race and not is the regard to the longevity of the horse's soundness. Racing is pushed as fast as possible and if the horse only gets a couple good years, thats fine: they can sell it on to a regular riding home for retraining. With regular training your goal is a sound horse for the next 20 or more years. You wouldn't strap 20lbs on your toddler and its the same with a foal.

03-19-08, 08:18 PM	What age to start training? Post #1 (permalink)
sallyanna Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 100	What age to start training? How old does a horse have to be to start training? Is there a minimum age before harness training or even actual riding? I know it can depend a lot on the horse, but what about the actual physical limitations of the horse?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar threads to What age to start training?
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bad first start Bad first start: I would like to have some of you that own horses...	alexis	Developing a lifelong relationship	3	04-14-08 04:44 PM
Age to start competing Age to start competing: What's a good age for a child to start competing...	horseplay	Off to the show	0	02-10-08 09:32 AM
Is it better to start on a pony? Is it better to start on a pony?: For a total beginner who;s still scared to go on...	galloper	The Beginning Rider	1	11-19-07 04:18 PM
Dog training vs horse training Dog training vs horse training: I'm familiar with dog training. I know dogs learn...	dcrivers	Training	11	09-30-07 12:43 PM
I'll start off I'll start off: Hello, my name is Chris and if you didn't notice...	KCMO	Introduce Yourself	2	08-12-07 01:25 AM

More threads of sallyanna
Thread	Date	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dogs and horses Dogs and horses: I have a 3 year old lab and was wondering if...	12-27-07	The Beginning Rider	4	02-09-08 06:48 PM
What do you like better, purebred or mixed breed? What do you like better, purebred or mixed breed?: Would a mixed breed be less inclined to physical...	12-26-07	Breeds	7	01-10-08 08:30 AM
Do you have to wash a horse in the winter? Do you have to wash a horse in the winter?: If it's dirty can you just wipe it down, or...	12-12-07	Grooming and Health	0	12-12-07 08:08 AM
What's a good breed What's a good breed: for children. I know it is the horse itself that...	12-06-07	Breeds	1	12-09-07 10:51 PM
Hello from blustery Canada Hello from blustery Canada: I just joined this forum and hope to get some...	12-01-07	Introduce Yourself	1	12-06-07 09:48 AM

Other threads in forum Training
Thread	Date	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Round Pens Round Pens: I know these used to not be as popular as they...	07-02-08	pickles	4	07-10-08 12:01 AM
Badly Trained-Horse or Rider Badly Trained-Horse or Rider: When a horse and rider pair are having problems,...	05-04-08	Estelle	8	05-10-08 04:09 PM
Self train Self train: If you are training a horse from birth onward...	04-25-08	sandles	1	04-28-08 03:52 PM
Imprint Training Imprint Training: I just found the most fantastic bit about...	09-05-07	SpiritWind	5	11-06-07 10:57 AM
Police Training Police Training: I was watching the local police train horses and...	10-24-07	GiddyUp	3	10-30-07 10:11 PM

03-23-08, 08:49 PM	What age to start training? Post #2 (permalink)
barnbum Member Join Date: 03-07-08 Posts: 21	Training from the ground should start at birth with imprinting and move to ground manners and conditioning to new situations and things. As for when a horse should be ridden 3/4yrs is pretty good to start a horse as earlier can ruin their legs and backs and lead to long term problems. Race horses are often started earlier but have shorter careers as the younger the better for weight restrictions. Harness training other than just putting it on the horse would fall under the same thing. You can harness and ground drive a horse without them pulling anything, lunge, ground drive and do plenty of things that will train a horse to deal once a rider is on their back.

03-25-08, 01:29 PM	What age to start training? Post #3 (permalink)
ellie Member Join Date: 03-02-08 Posts: 24	Good bit if information there, I wasn't sure the difference between a race and a non race horse if it might differ or not for training times either.

03-28-08, 02:45 AM	What age to start training? Post #4 (permalink)
barnbum Member Join Date: 03-07-08 Posts: 21	The only difference I've ever really seen between training to race and not is the regard to the longevity of the horse's soundness. Racing is pushed as fast as possible and if the horse only gets a couple good years, thats fine: they can sell it on to a regular riding home for retraining. With regular training your goal is a sound horse for the next 20 or more years. You wouldn't strap 20lbs on your toddler and its the same with a foal.

What age to start training?

Tips and tricks and advice on training

What age to start training?