breaking 2 yr. olds to ride

["johnbright" <johnbright@email.msn.com>]

I rode thoroughbred jumpers that came off the track at the age of 2 for the
first 15 yrs. of my riding.  My first Arab for endurance was 2 and unbroke
when I bought her and I too broke her to tack and my weight on her back at
that age.  Sitting on a 2 yr. old with a saddle and soft snaffle and walking
around an arena doing a lot of circles, teaching them to bend (slowly)
teaching them to respond to you, your leg, your seat, haulting, backing up,
etc.etc etc.... is a lot of work that is not going to harm joints and would
easily take you until they are 3.  I agree with the women you quoted.  What
matters is if you know what your doing and to not push.  Trotting in a
straight line and mild bends in an arena are also not going to be tragic.
Hill work, endurance work, strengthening, conditioning, lateral work, up &
down, over cavalettis (well, this can be done sooner without a rider on the
horse.) everything I mentioned I did slowly closer to the age of 4.  Listen
to your horse and they will let you know  more times than not.  Also, all
horses are not alike, they are like children.  Some learn faster than
others.
Kimberly/Roxy
Sacramento, Ca




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