Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Horse size, Rider Size, weight, trivia, training andobservations

It seems to me what 'governs' when to start horses is very much related to the economics of the system.  Way too many people expect a horses to be fully trained by age 4.  The quarter horses are often started early, ie age 2, thoroughbreds at 1.5 yrs.  Arabians and thoroughbred are KNOWN by all to not have bones fully calcified until age 6.   GEEESSHHHH with all this as common knowledge, it makes one wonder why there are so many horses 'lame' and/or 'used for breeding only' before the age of ten. Lippizaners(?sp) are left out to pasture until age 4. I have found the mental stableness much better at age 3 vs age 2. HOWEVER, gentle lounging, and conditioning to accept saddle, bit, etc and certainly be done by age 2.  BUT many people may KNOW about such things but the economic status of the situation will usually dictate things. Or in the case of tobacco using:  everyone knows but those that won't listen will just have to pay the price.  Unfortunately, with horses the horse pays the price. IMHO  Mary Ann Spencer

--- "Charles" <cdy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Everyone I've ever met tells me "drafts" mature slower.  Most of the big
>horses tend to need time to fill out and develop (which makes sense in that
>they have farther to go to reach full size).
>
>I have to wonder if the soundness issues people have with the larger horses
>are from them working them at too young an age.  I know with our 2 y.o.
>Irish Sport horse, he's going to be around 16 h and he's as tall as some of
>the other horses in the field.  Another year he will look grown up, but
>still be developing.  My wife's Dressage instructor already wants to start
>him lunging (longeing? how is that word spelled?).  We are refusing because
>joints and such aren't fully formed.
>
>Charles
>PS: Ever notice that none of the gymnasts or figure skaters at the Olympics
>are over 25, and most are in their teens?
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Bette Lamore" <woa@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: "Charles" <cdy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 1:17 AM
>Subject: Re: [RC] Horse size, Rider Size, weight, trivia, training and
>observations
>
>
>> Hi Charles
>> You have a good point. My experience with training the taller horse is
>> that I start them later, as a rule. My tall ones seem to mature far
>> slower. My two year olds many times look like yearlings in build--- all
>> gangly. They pull themselves together at 5 years.
>
>
>
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