How early!?...10 points to best answer!!! :)?

Question

How early can you start to ride a tennessee walker? I have a filly and shes about a yr and a half, and shes already saddle broke and takes a bridle....

10 points to best answer!

Answer 1

Its not recommended to ride any horse until at a minimum of 3-4 years old. A horses bones just aren't developed enough for even light riding. The younger you start riding a horse the more you are going to get lameness and injury and problems at an older age.

Answer 2

I don't know if your looking for the "best" answer or the "correct" answer.

But here is the correct answer.......Not at 1 1/2 years old.  She is still a baby..her bones, tendons, muscles are too immature for riding.  Even as young as they start Thoroughbreds...look at the breakdowns we've been seeing lately and most of them start at 2 and are unsound soon after.

Please, give her the proper childhood and don't rush it if you want to have a long term healthy and sound relationship with her.  

At this age, ground work, lunging, long lining not riding is what she needs.  Just because you have a saddle on her back dosen't mean you should be in it.  Just because she has a bit it her mouth doesn't mean she know how to yield to the pressure( and,I hope that the bit is a nice big round snaffle and not a long shank curb high port walking horse bit!!)..training takes time and patience....alot of it!!!

Also, this would apply to any breed..not just a TWH.  I'm not saying that some people may not wait..but it doesn't mean that it is proper.  

Have you asked your vet their opinion?  I know it can get "boring" working with young horses and you are anxious to giddy-up and go...but if that is what you wanted to do, you should have considered getting an older horse that could provide you with the ability to ride now without harming their fragile and young bones and psyche.

I know they tend to start TWH's early but my opinion would be no younger than a 3 yr. old and not first without consulting with an experienced trainer or vet.  

Good Luck

PS~being that you cared enough to ask, I hope you care enough to listen.

**Edit- I would also suggest wrapping her legs to provide additional support when working her...there is a right and wrong wasy to do this..so educate yourself as to the proper way..

Answer 3

I assume when you say "saddle broke" that she knows how to be saddled and how to carry a bit properly? NOT that she is actually carrying weight>

Horses mature at different ages but NO breed is mature enough to carry weight at 18months. The way a horses body grows is that it has growth plates on the end of every single bone it it's body. As it matures these "growth plates" will harden and become true "bone". Hence the old term of the "knees closing". This usually happens around 2.5 years, assuming the horse had good proper nutrition, never having been lacking proper nutrition or over-fed. Either can result in different growth problems.

Actually horses mature from the ground up with the spine and neck being the last bones to complete. This usually happens around 5 years in most breeds, although larger breeds like draft, warmbloods, ASB (and yes TN Walkers too) it can take up until they are 8 years.

Not to say that you can't ride or work a horse until then but it should be still treated accordingly. A 2yo should never be lunged in small circles for long periods, a 3yo should not be taken out on a 8 hour ride, a 4 y.o should not be running barrels or jumping 3' ect.

Personally I usually work on ground work until at least 3 to 3.5 then back for only short rides that doesn't over stress their body. Never ask an immature horse to carry too much weight. Statisticly a "fully grown, fully mature horse in good condition" can carry 20% of it's body weight, including both rider and tack. That doesn't mean a 1000lb 3yo could carry 200lbs but that same horse at 5 years could safely do so.

I know people are thinking of all the 2yo they've seen riden but how many 17-18yo horses have you seen with back problems, arthritic hocks, or bad knees/shoulders? Back then later and you'll have a horse that is still sound and working well up into it's mid 20's or later.

You can get a better and more in depth idea of the growth rate of horses includeing the maturity age of different bone plates here.

http://www.equinestudies.org/knowledge_b...

EDITED TO ADD.... I see my loyal following of "Thumbs Down Trolls" are still active too LOL

Answer 4

Before you place any weight on her back, have a vet check her to see if her growth plates have closed, especially in her knees and her back.  No horse is ready to ride at age two- I don't care what breed it is and how fast it supposedly matures.   Wait until three at least before getting on her back.  You can teach her basic lessons like steering and stopping, walking and running walking, but wait until her growth plates have closed before you ask her to canter, jump, or do a 'big l**k' running walk.

With the horse market in such bad condition, the only way you will ever be able to sell your horse is if she's sound.  If you break her now or at two, she will almost definitely develop premature arthritis or other problems in her back and legs.  My horse was broken at two, and we had to give her away at fifteen because she had arthritis and my parents couldn't afford to board a lame horse at my barn.  Luckily, we found a nice family who would take her, but not everyone can get lucky like that.  Your horse will stay sound five or ten years longer if you wait only a year or two to start riding her.

Also, three- and four-year-olds are much more easily trained than two-year-olds.  They have a longer attention span, have better balance, and are far less likely to throw a temper tantrum and throw you.  Two-year-olds aren't mentally ready to handle real training.

Please don't start your horse so young!  In the meantime, you can do Parelli games or teach her showmanship or in-hand trail or something while you wait for her to mature.  You won't be sorry for waiting!

EDIT:  Like the others said, avoid longeing until she's ready physically to be ridden.  Tight circles of longeing are terribly hard on her joins.  Don't longe her unless you need to take an edge off of her before your ride.

Answer 5

I'm not certain if you want justification for having this filly riding already (maybe you just got her and you didn't have anything to do with it) or if you want the real truth...the real truth is she should just beginning to do some groundwork in the round pen, maybe even with a saddle, depending on how physically developed she is...she should not be riding, she should not be forced cantering, she is not mature enough either mentally or physically to be broke...so in my opinion, the first thing that I would do it to have the vet xray her knees...odds are that they aren't even closed yet, so she shouldn't even be bearing the weight of a saddle and a person.  I'm pretty sure that this isn't the answer that you wanted to hear, but it's the truth.

EDIT****Thanks for the thumbs down, it tells me a lot about the horse knowledge of the person that gave it to me.

Answer 6

7 AM

Answer 7

It sounds like you have a good foundation to build from in the FUTURE. There are a lot of ways you can still work with this filly without riding her. I take my colts with me to the practice pen and weekend rodeos to let them get used to all the "buggers" that are around. I will pony them on short trips up the road, and on different trails. It also gets them used to being in a trailer. I like to start riding a colt when they are about 21/2 but for a short time only, teaching them just the basics, don't push them. When you have these basics in them get off, let them grow and develop. Continue groundwork, hauling, even LIGHT riding. When they are 4 I'll put them back to work.Mental readiness is as important as physical readiness when working with colts, people tend to forget that. I don't think this is boring, but my kids sure do. Guess I did too when I was a kid. Lots of you may not agree but I've had good luck with it , but I may not on the next horse. All the stink over TB racing right now makes me wonder, where were all these "animal rights activists"when all the other horses in all breeds and disciplines were crippled as a 2 or 3 year old trying to make it to a "Futurity", some future. But that's another issue.

Answer 8

2-3 ?

Answer 9

Like everyone else who asks this question, you will give "best answer" to the person who agrees with you.

The correct answer is not until the horse turns four. Until then the bones and joints are not developed enough to take a rider, and neither is the mind. If you do ride your yearling, you are setting her up for a lifetime of emotional and physical problems.

Answer 10

Some people start riding their horses as early as 2 years old.  Some people prefer to wait until the horse is nearly 4 years old.  The age to start a horse varies depending on the horse's purpose.  If you are looking to do casual riding you could safely start your horse when he is nearly four.  When in doubt call your veterinarian and have him look over your horse to examine his confirmation and soundness.  Your vet can then recommend to you the best time to start your horse.

Answer 11

Often the bigger the horse, the longer it takes for the skeleton to mature.  The mind is another factor to consider in determining readiness of a youngster.  Of course the safest thing to do would be to xray the epiphysises and go from there on any individual horse..but the expense is a consideration. Maybe it shouldn't be?  I would at least get an opinion from your vet...I personally would wait until the horse is closer to 3 years old to even think about riding...and if I were starting a Belgian or other large breed, 4 years old minimum.I don't know the typical age of joint maturity in tennessee walkers.

EDIT...I wouldn't even do lungeing on a horse this young...the circling is too hard on the joints.  Instead of strengthening as it does in mature horses, it damages the joints.  Use driving lines and forget the circles for now.

Pesky Fly...I take it they sold this horse before it broke down at around the age of 5 years???????

Answer 12

not yet, still to young.

wait till she is at least 2 years old, maybe even 3.

let her bones develop first

Answer 13

I have a TB colt thats the same age. He is the same way too, saddle broke, takes a bit and everything. But i can't get on him for about another year and a half. So for now i just put the tack on him and lunge him, do stretches, and brain exercises. Also working on the ground alot will make her trust you so she accepts you when you do try to get on.

Answer 14

All of the youngsters that I have had experience with in my lifetime have been saddle broken around 3-4 years old. However, they have been lunged and taught ground manners around the age of 2. I am very surprised that you have already tried to saddle break her this early. I would definately not try to put a saddle on her back again until 4 years old because she is not fully developed yet and you shouldn't want to cause any lifetime health issues.

Answer 15

well like everyone here says...too early..very true. You need to wait.  These days a lot of people start their horses around two. Like they also say bigger take longer. People think that just because the horse is big I can start it early(not saying that this is your thinking) But the reality is you need to make sure the knees are closed and the horse is older. If you start the horse too early you can cause major damage to the horse in regards to the tendons, ligiments, and cartaledge. (especially in the knees)

Good luck

Answer 16

You should start riding any horse when they are about two. You don't want their legs to be affected or their growth. I would suggested starting to lounge and grounddrive this horse. I would wait untill is is 2 though. Because if you get on now there is a possibility it will stump his growth and his knees are probably not even closed yet. Sometimes "baby  horses's" brains can't function if you are teaching then soo soo much! But If you slowly train him to be good boy and not to buck at the walk then trot then canter he will turn out to be a pleasure some horse to love on and ride!

Answer 17

This basically depends on the horse, and bone structure, if it is a stout , strong horse, big-boned, you could start now, just don't push too hard. Give her time, and just ride her for short periods. It is good to work her in a round pen or on a long line, to establish good ground manners. Good luck!

Answer 18

The barn where I board got in a 2 year old TWH gelding DEAD BROKE!!! I got on him and he turned out to be one of the best rides I have ever had not a buck, rear, or issue...

He was 16 hh and a lovely horse, I dont get on my horses untill they are 3 but I have saddle blankets on them at 2 weeks old and LIGHT saddles on them at 1 and western saddles on them at 2 1/2.

No actually he is 9 years now and is in perfect health!! His bones did not break/bend/or crack!!! He is a lesson horse now!!! I loved that horse, he was a really nice horse!!