What is your opinion on a horse being broken in at the age of 5?

Question

He was only halter broken and never been floated or out of his home paddock.

Do you think its is better to them start later?, worse? What are your experiences/opinions?

Yes it is natural horsemanship

Answer 1

I think breaking a horse at 5 is much, MUCH better than breaking them at 2. Horses are broken FAR to early these days. A horse should be THREE before he ever has a rider on his back. Horses would have far less leg and lameness problems if this was the standard practice.

Don't even get me started about RACING 2 year old BABY horses...

I actually don't quite understand your question... Do you think it's too late to break a 5 year old horse?? It's a shame that he wasn't properly handled as a youngster, but if done correctly he should turn out fine.

Answer 2

It totally depends on the horse. I don’t think it’s ever too late to break a horse. As a general rule I like to start to break horses (long-reining) at 3, back them at 4 and treat them as green horse for 2 or 3 years.

Different breeds mature at different rates. A thoroughbred matures a lot faster than some of the more natural and cold-blooded breeds. Some draft horses have been known to not finish growing until they are 7 or 8.

Although 5 year olds are physically stronger and have longer attention spans then younger horses, I’ve found that that all horses should be treated as youngsters when being broken, because they are not use to the physical and mental demands of training.

Some problems with braking horses later are that some people seem to think they should magically know most of the training just because they are older. Depending on the horse a 5 year old is not necessarily mentally ready for proper work. (Though most are.)

Answer 3

You don't EVER have to BREAK a horse. Use the Parelli method to establish a bond.This can begin as soon as a horse is born or anytime.(It's not age specific.) Start by seeing if your horse will "JOIN" you as you walk around his paddock. See if he looks at you with both eyes and is curious about you. Go sit in the corner of his paddock and read a book and see if he comes over. Gradually, see if he will let you reach out to pet him or stand up. Maybe soon he'll walk around with you off lead. Soon, your horse will trust that you are not going to "eat" him and will trust you to be his leader. After that, the sky's the limit. Don't go too fast. Give time for your relationship to flourish. Take him for nice long walks, brush him. Just get him used to being handled, SLOWLY. Soon, whatever you want to do with him will not be an issue. PLEASE study the Parelli method. www.parelli.com. It's a wonderful way of bonding horse and rider. Go watch a demo or send for a free dvd from the website. Have fun.

Answer 4

Breaking them when they are younger is better, just like any other animal, teaching them when they are young is best, but that doesnt mean you cant break him at age 5. I have a 6 year old Appaloosa that I am breaking this summer, and its a little more difficult than with a 3 or 2 year old.

Answer 5

One of my horses was broken to ride at the age of 7 years, it is alot easier to break older horses I have found. In my experience the younger ones tend to be more jumpy as they haven't experienced all conditions.

good luck

Answer 6

there's a huge variety of evaluations in this subject, to all breeds, and not purely Arabians. yet particularly, you're able to desire to truly wait till they have stopped starting to be and crammed out relatively before you placed any severe weight on their spines, and so on. And Arabians ARE slower, and that they are additionally a plenty finer breed, in spite of the undeniable fact that they manage nicely, it takes them a speedy together as to construct up the fundamental muscle to hold the load of a rider that a quarterhorse or pony does not war with. Play it by ear, degree him regularly and shop a record so which you be attentive to the cost at which he's starting to be. definitely, it is going to help you once you're identifying while to start the driving technique. As an concept, i does not placed all and sundry on his lower back till he's a minimum of three and a a million/2, probable older. whether, there is plenty you're able to do before that comes around. beginning now, while he continues to be slightly one, you may pony him off different horses, desensitize him to unusual gadgets, lead him by way of trails and so on just to make him greater mushy with our environment he will face under saddle. you're able to be able to desire to probable initiate putting gentle issues on his lower back, like a very small, gentle saddle blanket, or a feed bag and so on. you're able to be able to desire to mouth him from 2 years previous onwards, placed a lunge curler on and lunge him from 2 and a a million/2 to 3 years onwards. only be attentive to his youthful and starting to be joints. So very gentle, uncomplicated issues first of all, and look at out to locate uncomplicated surfaces additionally. The little variations now will substitute his lifestyles further down the music. ordinary, only have exciting with him and confirm it is presented as an relaxing pastime. desire this facilitates and robust success. (:

Answer 7

dont like breaking horses
persueding the indian way is much more fun ,more time but a better horse
age is irrelevant
at least after 8 months

Answer 8

They Break these wild mustangs that are all ages in the plains reduction of wild herds,.......should be fine just takes time and patience

Answer 9

stubborn,
start by exercising him daily in a round pen,
when he works well and learns comands,
saddle him up and work him somemore,
hell come around.
good luck