Can anyone link to a good, scientifically-based article on when (ideally) to start a horse under saddle? I’m looking for info on the maturation of bones and joints. I Googled, but didn’t find anything great. TIA.
There is lots of basic information about when the growth plates close and when a horse is physically mature (between 4 and 6).
How that translates to when and how to start them under saddle is however much more nuanced and probably impossible to do a true clinical trial on.
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Personally I like this article; it lays out how the skeleton matures and offers thoughts on how this relates to starting a horse young: http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
Almost all studies advocating starting horses young are from the racing industry, which has a vested interest in showing that it’s OK to be running 2, 3, and 4 year olds. This doesn’t mean their results are invalid, but be sure to read any article critically. If you read carefully, you’ll see many of the studies advocating controlled exercise at a young age are comparing horses that are being ridden to horses that are on stall rest - if a turnout group is included it often shows that the paddock/pasture horses are comparable to the stalled controlled exercise horses.
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Also starting is a very broad term. It’s not really starting that’s an issue. It’s the workload, how long and how difficult.
There’s lots I dont like about the race industry. But it’s possible that running flat out on a straightaway and gentle curve with a feather weight rider is less damaging long term than doing sliding stops and rollbacks on a 3 year old. Of course running full out is more possibility of catastrophic injury.
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I don’t know how they could print a reliable article since some horses are more mature mentally and more balanced physically while some are immature in mind and body until much later?
I have found that most of the horses I have owned since 1976 were able to easily be started as very late 2 year olds no matter what breed. Work was light for the first year ( walking, light trotting, learning the basic controls and moving off leg, cues etc…)
Never had any health , soundness or issues. I do all my own training though so I am never pushed for results and take all the time I need.
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