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  Discussion on QH trainer VS. Gaited trainer
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002 - 8:02 am:

I have a barely two year old Rocky Moutain filly, that I have been taking to a QH trainer for ground work. He does work with Fox Trotters. Before, venturing with this trainer I watched many of his lessons that he had given to people and horses.

But, I have ridden a Rocky gelding which was 2.5 years old. From a Rocky trainer down in KY. I was very impressed with the training that this horse received. And wanted too ship my filly off right away. But, I had her knees examined. Her knees are closed but, her growth plates are still open. So, I'm waiting maybe 3-6 months.

I'm just planning on doing light riding trail.

My QH trainer, advises strongly too wait till 4 years. The Rocky people are advising me she should be ridden. I'm at a cross road on my decision.

I'm not sure, who I should take her too. The QH trainer is nearby and the other one is about a 10 hour drive away. But, I figure, if, you want the best you take them too a gaited trainer that knows the gait of the horse. I'm I right!

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002 - 8:31 am:

At barely 2 years old, your youngster is probably not ready for every day riding. Growth plates on many horses don't close until they are 4 - 7 years old, depending on the growth plate. I know there was a long discussion on the subject of when to ride, not too long ago.

If it were me, I would probably wait at least a year before sending the horse out for saddle training. If you are happy with the trainer you have, and he's making the progress you want with the horse on the ground, I'd stick with him. You can always send the horse out later for finishing with the gaited trainer. Also, I wouldn't send any horse out to any trainer unless you can go visit the facilities and see in person how the horses are treated and handled.

Good Luck

Posted on Thursday, Jul 18, 2002 - 9:38 am:

Many horses are started at 2 with no problems, that we are aware of. The problems asociated with early starting are hyopthesized and so far not born out in some early studies of TB race horses: horses started earlier lasted longer with fewer breakdowns. But this is a very specialized case and the results are preliminary. In summary we really do not know when and a lot depends on the methods used and what your goals are.

I myself have seen several youngsters with remarkable degenerative joint disease before the age of 2 because they were worked too hard too young. Heidi is right we have a long involved discussion on this issue, run a search on growth plate and you should find it.
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jul 20, 2002 - 7:17 am:

Thank you Heidi and Dr Robert
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