How old does a horse have 2 be to learn to jump?

Question

some people say 2 is fine but shouldnt be done quickly.

i am looking at adopting a brumby. he is brocken but has only done trott poles and small jumps.

hes 3 atm. if he was still available by january, would u be able to do smaller jumps with him or should i wait till hes 4??

Answer 1

2 is too early to be on his back, let alone go at a jump.

3 is the earliest you should begin backing and training.

4 is the ABSOLUTE earliest to start jumping

5 is the best time to start teaching them to jump and other hard stuff

At age 3 he is not physically or mentally ready to deal with jumping.

Dont rush him or he will be lame by 10. Especially if he was started so early. Let him be a baby and grow up a little.

Dont rush to start jumping with poor flatwork. You are setting the horse up the fail and become scared. Jumping never improves flatwork but flatwork improves jumping.

Please get a trainer to help you. You seem inexperienced and jumping isnts to be taken lightly. A trainer will keep the both of you from getting killed.

Answer 2

I would advise you to wait until he is at least 4.

He wont stop growing till he is 5 and strenious exersise could cause his legs to grow stunted or wonky.

People that say 2 is fine are wrong, people race TB's over hurdles at 2 but that doesnt mean you should train your horse to.

Have you ever looked at a TB's legs or feet? They are often thick and stocky (like cows legs) and turn out at the knees.

This is because they have been jumped at such a young age their legs have grown with the amount of pressure so turn out.

If you dont get it, think of a clay model horse being stood on all 4 legs before it is dry, it will fall and the legs will turn out to accomidate the weight - this is what is happening to their legs.

You shouldnt even start to break a horse at 2 let alone jump it!

So yeh, wait until he is 4 and then try him over trotting poles and small fences.

Gradully go up to maybe a foot when he is 5 and then you can get onto the more serious stuff.

Good luck.

Answer 3

You also need to be thinking, is jumping what this horse wants to be doing?  Any horse can jump.  But to be successful, you need a horse that has a passion for it.  That is why you will always see the same breeds used as jumping horses.

If you do not know how old a horse needs to be to jump, you probably shouldn't be the one training it to jump.  Just because a horse is broke doesn't mean that it is trained, or even physically fit to be jumping.  Most horses are broke out the later part of turning two.  That is just being able to effectivly carry a rider.  They need constant training from there on.  Depending on the breed, most horses can start jumping at four.  Sport horses, draft crosses, warmbloods can not be started until after they are five.  You should also have a young horse vetted to be sure that their bones and joints are growning properly and are set before you start any kind of training program.

Answer 4

horses are natural jumpers the main thing that you really have to watch for is not to push them to hard, to fast, to young. Horses, even as foals can jump but not very high. Some horses jump better than others like some run faster. sometimes it's based on genetics others it's based on personality and training. So I'd say buy the horse if you want to but make sure you're ready to go into a long steady partnership with the horse to make a excellent jumper.  

Answer 5

definately wait until he is four. He needs that time for his knees to close and for his growing to slow down. Waiting will also give him time to develop mentally and emotionally so he can handle the extra work. In the meantime, poles are a good tool to teach him some timing and get him accustomed to doing different things.

Answer 6

I would wait until he's four if I were you.  It gives his bones more time to develop and gives him more time to mature.

Answer 7

Wait until he is four.In the meantime you can practice on another horse to improve your skills.If you are inexperienced get a trainer to train him.A green rider and green horse is a disaster waiting to happen.Many a good horse has been ruined by not having the proper training and part of that training is not rushing a horse before he's able to withstand the pressure on his young bones.Old horseman's saying "if you don't wait they(the horse)will make you wait.The greatest riders have the greatest patience