Chiming in with it does depend – but with a
caveat.I don’t think that
size is the most important thing in determining if the horse is ready to be
ridden.I would really consider
getting radiographs of the knees before starting young, especially if the horse
is large.I have a coming 2yo arab
mustang cross.He has been over 14
hands since the day he turned 1.He
will be 2 in June and is already 14.3, but it would be incredibly foolish to
ride him even if he does look better built than many older horses.His sire (arab) is 15.2 or more and his
mom is 14.2 – but I think her genes encouraged the high growth rate.The guy even has a chest on him already!
I know he dealt with a little physitis since he grew so fast
– the growth plates just could not keep up with how fast his body was
telling him to grow.It
wasn’t from over feeding protein, he only got grass hay (first year
wasn’t even that great because of the drought) and a handful of a 3-way
grain.I had considered selling him
when we were in a bit of financial trouble, but I was too worried that even
someone with the best of intentions would ride him too early.Especially because he will probably be
the easiest horse ever to start.
At most, I will get on his back late in his 3rd
year, light riding at 4 and nothing serious until 5 and wouldn’t even
consider fast rides.I do think
this is more cautious than needed in many cases, but since I do know his
history I think it will pay in the long run.I also think that his environment (40
acres with plenty of elevation, rocks and downed trees) will help strengthen
soft tissues to support any bone weakness he might still have, even though all
looks good now.
An aside – I started his mom at age 7 (I’d seen
her buck!) and it was like she already knew what to do and was just waiting for
me. We did all her training on the
trail – I almost feel like I haven’t taught her a thing. She did her first 25 2 months after I got
on her back, with another rider.And she’s so calm she stays laying down watching the 50’s
leave in the morning – she doesn’t miss an opportunity to sleep or
eat!
