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Discussion on How much work under saddle for 3-year-old?

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Cynthia A. Nielsen
Member
Username: Wolfydoc

Post Number: 28
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2004 - 5:43 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Dro,

I just purchased a 3-year-old Kentucky Mountain Saddle horse who has been bred and trained by the same person, a woman with many years experience and a good reputation. He has already been trained and ridden under saddle, including a few trail classes in one show.

He will be strictly a trail horse for me, and eventually I hope to use him in mountainous country.

Question: how much riding is ok at this age (3 years this past May)? Depending on sources I've read, some say none at all, just ground work until 4 years.

what is your opinion? (He checked out fine on 2 pre-purchase exams, one in Kentucky before shipping and one here in Nevada by my own vet, but is in my opinion a bit overweight.) I could not find any posts or articles addressing this in detail, but direct me if I missed any.

Thanks,
Cindy
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 11098
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Monday, Aug 30, 2004 - 7:00 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

This has been an oft discussed subject but it is hard to search for. First how many months old is your horse?
DrO
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Cynthia A. Nielsen
Member
Username: Wolfydoc

Post Number: 29
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 - 12:20 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Hi DrO,

He is 39 months old.
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 11102
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004 - 7:52 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

I found the discussion I was looking for Cynthia (I used Age start training under saddle in the big search engine) where we talk expensively on starting horses. Check out this discussion: Training Horses » Hunters & Jumpers » Work related stress on the Hunter/Jumper » Discussion on Age and Stress. The fact that this starts as a hunter discussion does not effect the advice. There are other relevant discussions pulled up by this search and if you have any questions you can bring them back here.
DrO
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