How old should my horse start jumping?

Question

I've heard lots of different ages about when a horse should start jumping. I used to think it was 3 and then 5 under saddle but i just read that on the ground 4 is still too young. help im sooooo confused!!

Answer 1

It's all part of your original training. You should do a lot of groundwork with your horse at age three and back them at four. After you start riding them at four, it's not really important when you teach the jumping. Earlier is probably better, but it's just part of the process. Once you think your four or five year old is ready you can start either on the ground or under saddle. As long as you don't back them until their four your fine with everything else. When the horse is ready to jump after that--go for it.

That's what I believe and I've seen it go quite smoothly with lots of younger horses. I've jumped many four year-olds. They aren't perfect and it takes some time though.

Answer 2

Katie is correct on all the ages.

Do not start any form of jumping but ground poles (on or off the horse) till they are 5. They do not fully mature till they are 5 and you will risk arthritis and early retirment if you start earlier.

For those of you jumping anything under 5 even if their tiny fences. TISK!

Answer 3

I don't believe in jumping earlier than age four and small fences then, but honestly it depends on breed and growth. Some horses and breeds mature slower than others. Most professionals around here start jumping at four so that they are ready for the 5 year old circuit unless the horse has quite a bit more growing to do. There are many different opinions on the subject so form your own and go with that. Despite some adamant answers on here about not jumping till 5, I've never seen a horse have to retire early because they jumped before then.... but it's everybodies own choice. I'm sure your just as confused as before now!

Answer 4

it depends. my horse is four and jumping 2 ft.  feel his knees and if there is a gap dont jump until its closed.

Answer 5

I would absolutely not start a horse over fences until they are at least 5yrs old. Their legs are just not ready. You could start earlier if you only want the horse to stay sound until they are 7yrs old.

Answer 6

You want their knees to be fully closed to start any riding. You want their growning to have been completed before anything potentially difficult. I would wait till:

3 1/2 to start basic undersaddle (let them be a baby!)

4 to do anything difficult (trot poles, cavilitti(sp?), improving gaits)

5 to start jumping

6 to start doing anything real big

I dont see the point in pushing horses past what they are mentally and physically ready for. I have a OTTB that is more than likely going to have bad leg issues from racing for 3 years and I think being pushed so hard as a baby blew him away. He was a complete nutcase when I bought him at age 9. He got 6 months off and has become an amazing (calm!) horse. I think had he not been raced into the ground he would have gotten his head together better and finally gotten out of his 'greenish' stage sooner. Dont try to rush them into competing. Take things slow, they will learn better and last longer.

Answer 7

It does depend on the horse. I am currently riding two 4 year olds. One is smaller and well balanced and is schooling 2'3" courses while the other is huge and unbalanced and does only flatwork. Any horse needs to hae a good base of flatwork before they start jumping. They need to be able to go around wtc, balanced, have extensions, transitions, leg yielding etc. Once they are push button on the flat and physically ready, start schooling low fences. In hunter/jumper land, 4 years old is an accepted age to start jumping.

Answer 8

Personally, I wont start my colt over fences until he is at least six, maybe seven.  Jumping puts a lot of stress on knees and other joints.  It is better to wait and enjoy your horse longer, than to push, and cause permanant damage.  The reason that I am such a firm believer in waiting is because my mare was put into the show ring much too young by her original owners.  I bought her when she was six, and by that time, she was already a retired champion, one of the top horses on the east coast, and had developed arthritis in both of her hocks.

Answer 9

i woud say start to teach your horse to jump around 3-4 years old