at what age should a horse be broke to ride?

Question

I just purchased a 6 month old fillie and I was wondering how old she should be before I have her broke to ride or put a saddle on her?

Answer 1

Her bones will be strong enough at about two years old, but there is a lot you can do to get her ready. Touch her all over frequently and talk to her. Halter train her, and put a blanket on her back. Teach her to come to you when you call or whistle. If she is gentled and socialized by the time she is two, she will accept the saddle and a rider.

Answer 2

depending on how big she is. It is recommended to start at 2 years old. If she is a heavier horse she could be started at 18 months. She can have a pony saddle, just the saddle put on her when you feel she's ok with it. Just walk her around or lunge her with it. It will make it alot easier for you when it comes time to break her to ride. We had our colt who is 4 now lunging with just a saddle at 18 months. It was a small childs saddle, but it made it much easier when the big saddle was required.

Answer 3

I would wait until she is about 3-4 yrs old. I know that seems old, but you want to make sure she is done growing. You can begin by setting a saddle on her back around the age of 3yrs old, to get her used to the new equipment, but I would not have anyone sit on her til the age or 4yrs old. If she is going to be a smaller horse, 14hh - 15hh I would start out with a light weight person to break her, you would not want your horse to struggle with a heavy person.

Answer 4

First of all dont break her if you have never done it before.
Have some one else do ti. Any way work with her now but dont put a saddle on til 2 years old

Answer 5

Call a horse trainer and talk to them about when you need to send your horse to them. Training a horse isn't for beginners, and not to be mean, but if you don't know when to start breaking her you need to let a professional do it. You do need to ground train her now, halter, leading, brushing, hooves. Plan on starting her under saddle when she's two, preferably 3 years old. I prefer older, but many people in the US start them under saddle when they're 2 years old. Keep in mind she's still growing when she's 2, though.

Answer 6

As others have said, it depends on breed and temperment. Just remember to take it slow and never get mad. You will never get anywhere if your mad. I have a two year old that I've been riding for four months, she is exceptional. However, take note of their growth plates as most horses are not done growing until the age of five, you don't want to hinder their growth.

Answer 7

Depends on the kind of horse she is and her general temperment. Aim to saddle break her by 2 years.

Answer 8

you should start light rideing work around two. then when she is three her bones will be nice and strong to start getting a better handle on her. you can start putting a saddle on at anytime to get her use to the saddle and comfortable with something on her back

Answer 9

work with her getting used to saddle and bridle and things about 16 months but I would not plan on getting in the saddle or anything until at least two years old.

Answer 10

Definatly wait until she is at least almost three before any body gets on her.

That doesn't mean you can't work with her on the ground, get her acustomed to tack, handling, trailers, clippers, vets, farriers, dentists, etc. Working on the ground with her will help make training easier for her when she is broken, and will lay the foundations for a great horse.