Preach it! First of all no one is going to listen because it's all about the money. But if they realized that they're destroying their horses future in the long term, for a few ribbons in the short term. I start my horses at Age 4. Between yearling and 2 years old they learn to carry their tack. We do some groundwork but not tight super tight hard work circles. I might climb on one at 2 years old bareback & sit on them, teach them to tie and load in a trailer and maybe at 3:00 if they're mature enough I might get on them and walk and trot around? Then I put them away until they're four. One of my good friends has a horse that was started at a year and a half and it was riding on the trail at 2. She bought him and he did a lot of growing between two and four. At age 7 he had arthritis... so he'll be on supplements for life because some greedy person wanted to get their money by 2 years old.
Finally an American who has understood that a 2-year-old is far too young to start! The body is not fully grown at that age. Best regards from Norway. We start our horses under saddle when they are 4 years old. It doesn´t mean that we don´t train them before that age. We do. We drive them, they are a companion horse on trail rides etc. And we keep them in herds on big pastures with rough terrain, mountains and forests. That means they are both mentally and physically well prepared the day they will have someone on their back.
In the California Vaquero Bridle horse. Via, Jeff Sanders. They don't get on their backs until they're 5-6 years. The space in the back vertebrae isn't closed until then. He said they have lesson horses in their thirties. Just thought that made sense.
Absolutely spot on! Want to have a interesting age/use comparison - compare a snaffle bit baby to a driving horse! I actively drove my former driving mare until she was 32 years old. The only reason I stopped driving her was she contracted EPM.
I frequently let 3 month old foals tag along on trail rides. Let them get used to crossing streams, mud, log, bumping into cows along the trail etc. I keep those rides fairly short.5-6 miles and don't think that is any different than how wild horses grow up. As 1 and 2 year olds, I'll go on longer rides and let them run loose with us along the trail. Again learning all about life outside the corral. As long 2 years olds, I get a12-13 year old girl to put a few rides on them in a round pen. Just Hey, this is part of your life. Light weight rider and short rides for a couple weeks. Three year olds, I again try to find lighter riders, (Used to be my daughters, but they all grown up) But the 3 years olds get ridden on 6-10 miles trail rides.by lighter weight riders. At 4 I start getting on them and I stop worrying about is it going to be a short ride. They will get 20 trail rides during their 4th summer. I typically sell my horses at 10-12 years old and focus on youngsters coming up. But have heard back that most are useful trail horses into their 20s'
Great thoughts and I like this approach of gradually increasing weight and mileage. Much more strategic and akin to training an athlete. I have my two (almost three) year old friesian mare gentled down enough that I've been ponying my 6 year old daughter on her quite a bit. You want to make a video together? Looks like you're in Utah as well and have a good channel. Might be fun to make a little documentary on your program.
@@Stonefieldranch My horses will never see a show ring. Rarely see the inside of enclosed arena. I got into horses 30 years when I learned how to kill elk, and decided, I was never back packing an elk off a mountain again. but I quickly learned, I needed to use my horse all year, if he was going to be any good during the hunt season. Got old and killing elk isn't as important as it once was, Horses for me are just a way to see what's on the other side of the mountain. I've been blessed to see trails from Southern Nevada to Montana. I help a couple ranchers every fall gather their cows. Love to meet you sometime. I'm in Kaysville. You can see some of my rides here. th-cam.com/video/5udBs8XIJFE/w-d-xo.html
IMO, from the perspective of a vet student who has done a lot of shadowing in sports med (and who has heard from both sides), the later the better. different bones in the horse's skeleton mature at different rates. for example, the pelvis doesnt fuse into one bone until they're about 6-8 years old (for reference, when they are born, their pelvis is composed of 4 bones). this is really important for horses going into high-intensity disciplines! i have seen barrel horses already breaking down by 4 years old and needing maintenance (but this also has to do with how frequently/how hard the horses are worked). another point: invest in the skeleton!!! always!!! don't feed high calorie/high fat foods to make your young horse "grow fast." this puts them at risk for developmental disorders like OCD. tl;dr start late, start slow, invest in the skeleton, and always have an appropriate workload - this is how you get longevity!
About time this is discussed! If you do not mind throwing them in the garbage by the time horses turn 6 yrs old, then go ahead and start training them as yearlings. I do not believe that you can ride a horse before it is 3 without damaging its health in the long term.
Heading to an auction soon. We put an x through every horse that is under 3 and has already been ridden. Limits my choices, but, I want a lifelong riding companion. One of the listed horses was 2 and was ridden on an overnight 25 mile ride. Even in the blurry sales video, it is obviously broken down in the hind fetlocks. So sad. My first horse was started under saddle at 5 years old. I enjoyed riding him until he was 30 years old. Really appreciate your approach and your generosity in sharing.
Go back 100 years and many horses weren’t started till they were 5. Farmers had horses that could be ridden but also pull the plow or a cart or wagon. That level of all around ability required a horse that was more developed in confidence and temperament so they were started later
That´s what we are doing in Norway: starting the young horses by driving them first, cart or wagon. By pulling something they builds muscles that makes them better physically able to carry weight on their backs when times come to start riding them (at about 4 years old).
Wow! He’s super cute! Nice mover and he’s pretty laid back, definitely in your pocket ❤! Couldn’t agree more on starting them a bit later, some of the stock horses are pretty small at 2. Please keep your viewers posted on the him! Best wishes for your channel, you have excellent content.
I agree that western horses are started too early. My English riding friends don’t start their horses until they’re between 4-6 years old. I think it’s great to do all the foundational ground work/ponying, but riding and working should come when they’re a little more developed.
I have backed all of mine at 2.5 years. But left them till over 3 to ride . The knee plates close in between 2 and 2.5 years. So pleased to hear what your thoughts are. I believe they do need conditional work, so they can strengthen bones and tendons . But I have dressage horses 😊. Nice colt by the way, looks super trainable!
I say go later. I don't put the first ride in the round pen until 3. After that, I go easy for years. My Appaloosas mature slower than QH's but I get it on the other end when they're older. There's no rush if you want the best outcome.
My uncle has started many at 4-5 here in Canada. Some weren’t even halter broke at 4. He would take his with the horse to create a bond and after that it was smooth sailing
Im no one... It used to be that most let horses grow up before they started them. Ive heard guys say they wasnt mature enough mentally to be ropers and all until they were 8 or so or done growing, didnt start till 4 to 6 and some let them run pretty wild till then. Along in the 80s when show money seemed to get bigger, I think mindset changed. Money is to blame and the Quarter horse is paying for it. Im pretty disappointed were up to a 6 panel genetic screen now and I bet it wont be long before theres more due to line breeding.... and we wont stop. Adequan and all appreciate all the blown up knees and hocks the young ones will need the rest of their lives. The Quarter horse has changed so much from the 70s, some good things, alot not so good. Im not anyone... I dont show, dont rodeo, dont make money off them at all and some of the industry needs to score on a guys seat too and how he handles a rein and leg. Weve all seen horses ruined by being pushed too hard to try to push them in the ring asap... Its just hard to watch. We have a bunch of QHs, all old perf horse blood, old names and one new.. didnt want a 14hh pony, was a trade lol. Im in my mid 60s now and fell in love with QHs around 10 or so and just have no interest in any other horse. They are such incredible horses and damn sure a gift. Thats just my opinion and it really isnt worth anything to anyone but me. Disappointed with all the assns for not standing up for the Quarter horse...outside of the naming convention... but its easy to see why.... money. They wont wise up to they are poking holes in their own boat and QHs will be another awesome thing lost due to stupid greed. You hear the horse comes first and sets the pace, but dont see it often. Not picking on anyone in general... just hate where this is going and I know Im not the only one that sees it and catch hell for saying it.
@@Stonefieldranch Forgive the rant... I know everyone wants and knows better, they just want to win, make a ton and get some fame for their hard work and expense so they can stay in the biz. Who could blame them... 7 panel... I bet if everyone stopped today its still going to easy double that before 20 years.
We did ground work when there young. Handel them some till there 2 1/2 till 3. Then we started them. This program worked for us. Our colts are big boned with big feet more foundation bred. AQHA got away form a good all round horse. They wanted 1200 lb. horse wearing 00 or 000 shoes!! Bull Shi? I like a 800 to 1000 lb. wearing 1s.
Great vid and open minded 😊 similarly Pretty much of the mindset, age is just a number, considerately and incrementally set them up from as early as possible without causing physical or mental harm. set them up for success the life they will live with physical longevity and mental well-being….always guided by where each horse is at physically and mentally…vs numbers of age, and cookie cutter training programs… proper ridden work not until the joints are developed. Proper physical development needs proper balanced exercise running walking and trotting freely up down and sideways ways through hills and uneven ground not just flat or round pen. So turn them out in a large rocky hilly and forest landscape full of apex predators 🤣🤓
We need to define what means by starting. Round pen work? Harlter Training? Wearing a saddle? Riding? And for how long? Dr. Deb Bennett is the best source I know and she probably knows more about horse skeletal maturation as anyone today. And yes, this directly affects the longevity, as least functional longevity, of the horse. You can find an excellent paper on the subject by downloading: Timing and Rate of Skeletal Maturation in Horses, With Comments of Starting Young Horses and the state of the Industry, 2008 by Deb Bennett, Ph.D. In that paper she provides the scientific bases and rationale for waiting until the horse is 4-6 years old before asking the horse to carry you on his back. There are so many variables there as well. If one weighs in at 200 lbs or more, it may be closer to seven. Traditionally that is about right as a horse should not be bitted until its teeth have erupted. It appears to me the need to push the horses at around 2 is strictly not having to pay for care. I do not believe that training is the issue as I have trained, or shall I say retained, 7 year olds.
Yep. Fair point on the clarifying question. For me, when I say "starting" it means under saddle. I probably wouldn't wait till they're 5-7 just because they are a bit harder to work with mentally and I see more safety risks to myself by waiting that long.
, think 2 is too young to start on their back. But all the ground work you can do is the best for the horses. Steve Young Horsemanship is awesome to watch, and of course Buck Branahan.
There are a lot of factors that go into this. I’ve started horses for over 22 years and have done all ages and types. I prefer starting them as early twos and even long yearlings if there big enough. This time to me is about laying a foundation and softness. Getting more done in less time with these types. 30 minute sessions is long enough. Also turn out and recovery time is key. Seems like when they get 3 it’s very difficult to get them to the same spot as if I’d started It as a two. Just so much more energy and time has to be put into an older colt. Their size and resistance level is so much higher as 3s and 4s. I just don’t like having to long trot one several miles to get them to a spot where they are ready to begin learning. To each there own. Pick a good legged horse to start with. Breeders don’t place enough emphasis on this anymore. Papers are important but you can’t ride papers.
Thanks, Dustin. I do agree they are more teachable when they are younger for sure. Having to lope circles for 45 minutes before they go to work is not efficient and I too have noticed they cross a certain point when it takes too much time. I just don't want to be injecting hocs on a 5 year old.
I totally agree, veterinary medicine is a blessing and a curse. I wonder what the amount of money won on all these stallions we breed to would look like if it wasn’t for being able to inject joints and do corrective surgeries. The amount of money and exposure the western performance horse world has experienced is only going to make this a bigger issue. Quality principles that have always applied to breeding and training will always be where good horsemen and women should turn to.
Another thing about those dressage horses they aren't started early but you wouldn't them to being with. They are16h and not halter broken. I have been there and done that and it was not good. So really can't compare the two.
Two year olds shouldn't be doing anything. Break them in at three yrs then leave them alone until four yrs old. Even a four year old shouldn't be doing too much work. The bones are still soft and growing until the 5th year of age.
Personally I think that they should be started in the late fall of their two year old year. To get their brain going. The older they are the less they want to work. Some get used to not having to do anything. And become really stubborn. But they should be ground worked mostly.
I posted this in another thread but I agree, if they get started too late, it's difficult to get totally in sync with them. I've owned a couple of horses that were started when they were 5-6 and we spent a lot more time fighting.
Agreed, I start at the same time. I also ride them low stress for the first 6 months to a year. Teaching them correct body posture and foot position. Slow motion spins, roll backs, dressage moves, etc. I don't really have any problems with injuries later in life.
Go back 100 years and many horses weren’t started till they were 5. Farmers had horses that could be ridden but also pull the plow or a cart or wagon. That level of all around ability required a horse that was more developed in confidence and temperament so they were started later
Preach it!
First of all no one is going to listen because it's all about the money. But if they realized that they're destroying their horses future in the long term, for a few ribbons in the short term.
I start my horses at Age 4.
Between yearling and 2 years old they learn to carry their tack. We do some groundwork but not tight super tight hard work circles. I might climb on one at 2 years old bareback & sit on them, teach them to tie and load in a trailer and maybe at 3:00 if they're mature enough I might get on them and walk and trot around? Then I put them away until they're four.
One of my good friends has a horse that was started at a year and a half and it was riding on the trail at 2. She bought him and he did a lot of growing between two and four. At age 7 he had arthritis... so he'll be on supplements for life because some greedy person wanted to get their money by 2 years old.
Finally an American who has understood that a 2-year-old is far too young to start! The body is not fully grown at that age. Best regards from Norway. We start our horses under saddle when they are 4 years old. It doesn´t mean that we don´t train them before that age. We do. We drive them, they are a companion horse on trail rides etc. And we keep them in herds on big pastures with rough terrain, mountains and forests. That means they are both mentally and physically well prepared the day they will have someone on their back.
In the California Vaquero Bridle horse. Via, Jeff Sanders.
They don't get on their backs until they're 5-6 years.
The space in the back vertebrae isn't closed until then. He said they have lesson horses in their thirties.
Just thought that made sense.
Absolutely spot on! Want to have a interesting age/use comparison - compare a snaffle bit baby to a driving horse! I actively drove my former driving mare until she was 32 years old. The only reason I stopped driving her was she contracted EPM.
I frequently let 3 month old foals tag along on trail rides. Let them get used to crossing streams, mud, log, bumping into cows along the trail etc. I keep those rides fairly short.5-6 miles and don't think that is any different than how wild horses grow up. As 1 and 2 year olds, I'll go on longer rides and let them run loose with us along the trail. Again learning all about life outside the corral. As long 2 years olds, I get a12-13 year old girl to put a few rides on them in a round pen. Just Hey, this is part of your life. Light weight rider and short rides for a couple weeks. Three year olds, I again try to find lighter riders, (Used to be my daughters, but they all grown up) But the 3 years olds get ridden on 6-10 miles trail rides.by lighter weight riders. At 4 I start getting on them and I stop worrying about is it going to be a short ride. They will get 20 trail rides during their 4th summer. I typically sell my horses at 10-12 years old and focus on youngsters coming up. But have heard back that most are useful trail horses into their 20s'
Great thoughts and I like this approach of gradually increasing weight and mileage. Much more strategic and akin to training an athlete. I have my two (almost three) year old friesian mare gentled down enough that I've been ponying my 6 year old daughter on her quite a bit. You want to make a video together? Looks like you're in Utah as well and have a good channel. Might be fun to make a little documentary on your program.
@@Stonefieldranch My horses will never see a show ring. Rarely see the inside of enclosed arena. I got into horses 30 years when I learned how to kill elk, and decided, I was never back packing an elk off a mountain again. but I quickly learned, I needed to use my horse all year, if he was going to be any good during the hunt season. Got old and killing elk isn't as important as it once was, Horses for me are just a way to see what's on the other side of the mountain. I've been blessed to see trails from Southern Nevada to Montana. I help a couple ranchers every fall gather their cows. Love to meet you sometime. I'm in Kaysville. You can see some of my rides here. th-cam.com/video/5udBs8XIJFE/w-d-xo.html
IMO, from the perspective of a vet student who has done a lot of shadowing in sports med (and who has heard from both sides), the later the better. different bones in the horse's skeleton mature at different rates. for example, the pelvis doesnt fuse into one bone until they're about 6-8 years old (for reference, when they are born, their pelvis is composed of 4 bones). this is really important for horses going into high-intensity disciplines! i have seen barrel horses already breaking down by 4 years old and needing maintenance (but this also has to do with how frequently/how hard the horses are worked). another point: invest in the skeleton!!! always!!! don't feed high calorie/high fat foods to make your young horse "grow fast." this puts them at risk for developmental disorders like OCD.
tl;dr start late, start slow, invest in the skeleton, and always have an appropriate workload - this is how you get longevity!
About time this is discussed! If you do not mind throwing them in the garbage by the time horses turn 6 yrs old, then go ahead and start training them as yearlings. I do not believe that you can ride a horse before it is 3 without damaging its health in the long term.
I know some horses at three years old getting hoc and stifle injections. Pretty wild.
Heading to an auction soon. We put an x through every horse that is under 3 and has already been ridden. Limits my choices, but, I want a lifelong riding companion. One of the listed horses was 2 and was ridden on an overnight 25 mile ride. Even in the blurry sales video, it is obviously broken down in the hind fetlocks. So sad.
My first horse was started under saddle at 5 years old. I enjoyed riding him until he was 30 years old.
Really appreciate your approach and your generosity in sharing.
Go back 100 years and many horses weren’t started till they were 5. Farmers had horses that could be ridden but also pull the plow or a cart or wagon.
That level of all around ability required a horse that was more developed in confidence and temperament so they were started later
That´s what we are doing in Norway: starting the young horses by driving them first, cart or wagon. By pulling something they builds muscles that makes them better physically able to carry weight on their backs when times come to start riding them (at about 4 years old).
Wow! He’s super cute! Nice mover and he’s pretty laid back, definitely in your pocket ❤! Couldn’t agree more on starting them a bit later, some of the stock horses are pretty small at 2.
Please keep your viewers posted on the him! Best wishes for your channel, you have excellent content.
Thank you! I'm pumped about him!
I agree that western horses are started too early. My English riding friends don’t start their horses until they’re between 4-6 years old. I think it’s great to do all the foundational ground work/ponying, but riding and working should come when they’re a little more developed.
Thank you for your thoughts. I do think there is a sweet spot and balance to strike between their physical maturity, and their mental maturity.
I have backed all of mine at 2.5 years. But left them till over 3 to ride . The knee plates close in between 2 and 2.5 years. So pleased to hear what your thoughts are. I believe they do need conditional work, so they can strengthen bones and tendons . But I have dressage horses 😊. Nice colt by the way, looks super trainable!
Thanks for the comment, Lucy. Do you primarily ride Warm Bloods?
I say go later. I don't put the first ride in the round pen until 3. After that, I go easy for years. My Appaloosas mature slower than QH's but I get it on the other end when they're older. There's no rush if you want the best outcome.
My uncle has started many at 4-5 here in Canada. Some weren’t even halter broke at 4. He would take his with the horse to create a bond and after that it was smooth sailing
Im no one... It used to be that most let horses grow up before they started them. Ive heard guys say they wasnt mature enough mentally to be ropers and all until they were 8 or so or done growing, didnt start till 4 to 6 and some let them run pretty wild till then. Along in the 80s when show money seemed to get bigger, I think mindset changed. Money is to blame and the Quarter horse is paying for it. Im pretty disappointed were up to a 6 panel genetic screen now and I bet it wont be long before theres more due to line breeding.... and we wont stop. Adequan and all appreciate all the blown up knees and hocks the young ones will need the rest of their lives. The Quarter horse has changed so much from the 70s, some good things, alot not so good. Im not anyone... I dont show, dont rodeo, dont make money off them at all and some of the industry needs to score on a guys seat too and how he handles a rein and leg. Weve all seen horses ruined by being pushed too hard to try to push them in the ring asap... Its just hard to watch. We have a bunch of QHs, all old perf horse blood, old names and one new.. didnt want a 14hh pony, was a trade lol. Im in my mid 60s now and fell in love with QHs around 10 or so and just have no interest in any other horse. They are such incredible horses and damn sure a gift. Thats just my opinion and it really isnt worth anything to anyone but me. Disappointed with all the assns for not standing up for the Quarter horse...outside of the naming convention... but its easy to see why.... money. They wont wise up to they are poking holes in their own boat and QHs will be another awesome thing lost due to stupid greed. You hear the horse comes first and sets the pace, but dont see it often. Not picking on anyone in general... just hate where this is going and I know Im not the only one that sees it and catch hell for saying it.
Thanks for the thoughts, Mike. There are even 7-Panel Tests now. Pretty wild.
@@Stonefieldranch Forgive the rant... I know everyone wants and knows better, they just want to win, make a ton and get some fame for their hard work and expense so they can stay in the biz. Who could blame them... 7 panel... I bet if everyone stopped today its still going to easy double that before 20 years.
We did ground work when there young. Handel them some till there 2 1/2 till 3. Then we started them. This program worked for us. Our colts are big boned with big feet more foundation bred. AQHA got away form a good all round horse. They wanted 1200 lb. horse wearing 00 or 000 shoes!! Bull Shi? I like a 800 to 1000 lb. wearing 1s.
Correct. Classical (Vienna style) upbringing,let horses live a long joyful life.
Great vid and open minded 😊 similarly Pretty much of the mindset, age is just a number, considerately and incrementally set them up from as early as possible without causing physical or mental harm. set them up for success the life they will live with physical longevity and mental well-being….always guided by where each horse is at physically and mentally…vs numbers of age, and cookie cutter training programs… proper ridden work not until the joints are developed. Proper physical development needs proper balanced exercise running walking and trotting freely up down and sideways ways through hills and uneven ground not just flat or round pen. So turn them out in a large rocky hilly and forest landscape full of apex predators 🤣🤓
We need to define what means by starting. Round pen work? Harlter Training? Wearing a saddle? Riding? And for how long? Dr. Deb Bennett is the best source I know and she probably knows more about horse skeletal maturation as anyone today. And yes, this directly affects the longevity, as least functional longevity, of the horse. You can find an excellent paper on the subject by downloading: Timing and Rate of Skeletal Maturation in Horses, With Comments of Starting Young Horses and the state of the Industry, 2008 by Deb Bennett, Ph.D. In that paper she provides the scientific bases and rationale for waiting until the horse is 4-6 years old before asking the horse to carry you on his back. There are so many variables there as well. If one weighs in at 200 lbs or more, it may be closer to seven. Traditionally that is about right as a horse should not be bitted until its teeth have erupted. It appears to me the need to push the horses at around 2 is strictly not having to pay for care. I do not believe that training is the issue as I have trained, or shall I say retained, 7 year olds.
Yep. Fair point on the clarifying question. For me, when I say "starting" it means under saddle. I probably wouldn't wait till they're 5-7 just because they are a bit harder to work with mentally and I see more safety risks to myself by waiting that long.
, think 2 is too young to start on their back. But all the ground work you can do is the best for the horses. Steve Young Horsemanship is awesome to watch, and of course Buck Branahan.
He is one of the good ones.
Thanks, Anne! I'm excited about him. Should make a nice bridle horse that I'll turn over to my girls when 7 or 8.
There are a lot of factors that go into this. I’ve started horses for over 22 years and have done all ages and types. I prefer starting them as early twos and even long yearlings if there big enough. This time to me is about laying a foundation and softness. Getting more done in less time with these types. 30 minute sessions is long enough. Also turn out and recovery time is key. Seems like when they get 3 it’s very difficult to get them to the same spot as if I’d started It as a two. Just so much more energy and time has to be put into an older colt. Their size and resistance level is so much higher as 3s and 4s. I just don’t like having to long trot one several miles to get them to a spot where they are ready to begin learning.
To each there own. Pick a good legged horse to start with. Breeders don’t place enough emphasis on this anymore. Papers are important but you can’t ride papers.
Thanks, Dustin. I do agree they are more teachable when they are younger for sure. Having to lope circles for 45 minutes before they go to work is not efficient and I too have noticed they cross a certain point when it takes too much time. I just don't want to be injecting hocs on a 5 year old.
I totally agree, veterinary medicine is a blessing and a curse. I wonder what the amount of money won on all these stallions we breed to would look like if it wasn’t for being able to inject joints and do corrective surgeries. The amount of money and exposure the western performance horse world has experienced is only going to make this a bigger issue. Quality principles that have always applied to breeding and training will always be where good horsemen and women should turn to.
Although there is a lot to learn from western training. Germany here
No Question. Tough to find a more well-tuned horse than a good ranch or cowhorse.
Мне нравится эта лошадь😊
What happened to the Friesan?
She’s still around. Growing fast! I’ll do a short to give some updates on her.
Another thing about those dressage horses they aren't started early but you wouldn't them to being with. They are16h and not halter broken. I have been there and done that and it was not good. So really can't compare the two.
Agree. I certainly don't feel like dressage is a model for training. Perhaps only for longevity.
Two year olds shouldn't be doing anything. Break them in at three yrs then leave them alone until four yrs old. Even a four year old shouldn't be doing too much work. The bones are still soft and growing until the 5th year of age.
Personally I think that they should be started in the late fall of their two year old year. To get their brain going. The older they are the less they want to work. Some get used to not having to do anything. And become really stubborn. But they should be ground worked mostly.
I posted this in another thread but I agree, if they get started too late, it's difficult to get totally in sync with them. I've owned a couple of horses that were started when they were 5-6 and we spent a lot more time fighting.
Agreed, I start at the same time. I also ride them low stress for the first 6 months to a year. Teaching them correct body posture and foot position. Slow motion spins, roll backs, dressage moves, etc. I don't really have any problems with injuries later in life.
Go back 100 years and many horses weren’t started till they were 5. Farmers had horses that could be ridden but also pull the plow or a cart or wagon.
That level of all around ability required a horse that was more developed in confidence and temperament so they were started later