Is my horse too young for breaking?

Question

Hey everyone! ok i have a 2 1/2 yr old, around 15h 900 lbs quarter horse. I've started breaking her for riding a little over a month ago and shes doing wonderful. But i was wondering if its maybe too early for breaking where she isn't fully developed? I only ride her a couple times a week and i'm only around 105lbs so i know i'm not too heavy for her but i don't want to risk future problems such as bone problems or anything else. If you have answers i'll be happy to consider them! Thanks!

Answer 1

That isn't too young for a quarter horse. They are not fully mature at that age but it is good to give them their basic education when they are young. As long as you don't give them too much work, like race training or jumping, until they are older. You can feel the gap between the bones in the knee when they are still developing. Good luck.

Answer 2

I just bought a Quarter Horse filly who's not quite 3 years old. She is already reining trained (beginning) for rollbacks, spins and sliding stops. While she's not very big (14.2 hh) I'm going to go easy with her and just do some basic riding for the next few months until she's a full 3 year old.

I've also heard the stories about horses who were started "too young" and broke down very early on - I'm sure it does happen, but I'm also sure that genetics can be involved in that process too. Look at your horse's sire and dam - how are they holding up? Do they have training similar to what you want your mare to do?

My filly is from a horse my mom trained years ago, and he was a big, stout horse - never had any physical problems so I'm not too worried. Though to be save, I am going to be feeding her some supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to make sure that her joints continue to grow properly. Other than that I'm going to keep on riding her. I don't think 2 1/2 is too young, although I do agree that 900 lbs is light for a 15hh horse. I have a 14.2 hh gelding (Arabian) who weighs about 950 and a 14.3 hh gelding (Arabian) who weighs around 1050 or so...

Answer 3

I would talk to your vet. From the sound of it your horse seems a bit small boned- she's 15hh and weighs 900 lbs. For a 2 1/2 yr old she should have much more weight on than that for being 15hh.

But to answer your question- if your horse is at a healthy weight and has a good muscle mass I don't see why not. I'm a retired veterinarian and head trainer at my horse ranch and NARHA facility and we start most of our horses about 2 months after they turn 2. I do this as a professional trainer and rider whose horses go to futurities and shows at age 3.

and I know I'll get thumbs down for saying my horses go to shows at age 3---but my horses love shows and were born to do that work. I have several horses in their late 20's and 30's that were broke and went to shows at 3 and now are barrel or trail riding horses.

I get so sick of hearing crap like-"oh horses that are broke and shown at age 2 and 3 end up broken down with joint problems and aren't healthy by the time they're 10"

The only way your horse is going to be broken down is if you don't take care of your equine.

And forget that load of crap people are feeding you- most horses never stop growing- some may not grow taller- but they may grow wider. I'm a professional trainer and know many other professional trainers that break in their horses as 2 year olds and then train them to show.
Do you honestly think professionals would risk "ruining" a young horse's life or career (most of the time the horse we train isn't ours) if we didn't know ourselves what the equine is capable of doing?

I know I wouldn't risk my next paycheck by hurting someone elses equine- and I don't think other professionals would either.

Answer 4

It usually depends on the individual horse and his/her bloodlines. Obviously if this filly is from a mare and stallion that are both only 15.2hh, and so are most of her ancestors, she's basically grown as tall as she is going to be. This does not mean that her bones are knitted, just that she's close to finished growing up. Light work, even weight baring work never hurt any horse if done correctly. I usually wait until a horse is a 3 year old, but I prefer a larger horse, usually aroung 16.2hh and 1,300 lbs. I currently have a 3 year old that is 15.3 hh, and I'm going to start her in the spring. I would say that you were comfortable with what you were doing until someone else said something about it either to you or around you. Don't worry about them. Use your judgement, what works for me won't neccessarily work for you.

Answer 5

you're doing good. just keep riding her, but lightly. lightly as in maybe 2-4 times a week and only 30-60 mins at a time. she should be almost completly developed so as long as you don't ride her hard she should be fine. that's how they ruin race horses, they train 'em when they're a few months old, and race them by the time that they're 2 years old. the jockies ride hard and that's how horses are ruined. so just keep it to light riding for now. don't ride hard until she's at least 4 years old(maybe wait a little longer).

Answer 6

Your doing fine but the normal age is about 3 so keep going little by little and about 3 1/2 you can start training headsets and cantering

Answer 7

No, she's not too young but you have to take it easy on her so you don't do any damage to her joints. I have a 3 yr. old paint mare. I had her broke this past summer when she was a 2 1/2 yr. old. I trail rode her 1 - 2 times a week all summer but I kept her to a walk most of the time to avoid putting too much stress on her growing joints. She turned out fine.

Answer 8

Hi! No, I don't think your horse is too young for breaking. People start breaking Throughbreds to race when their barely 2 years old. QH's are also more stocky and well built than TB's, so I don't think you have to worry. Just don't go to hard on her until she's bit older. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

No. It's good that you are riding now. You don't want to break the horse when it's too big and you won't be able to control it. You'll have a six year old horse that can't stop. Just don't work her hard and you'll be fine.

Answer 10

as long as ur not riding her hard it is a good time to break her. i have broke many horses and start them at 2. i dont ride them hard till they are bout 3-4 years old(start putting more of a handle on them). i think if u take ur time the horse(s) turn out better and less risk of injurying them. it sounds like u are starting her at a good time... i hope this helps u. good luck and have fun!