Starting/Breaking Early vs Starting Late

[vineyridge]

I’ve found it. It’s Volume One, Part II–Education of the Horse.

The manual divides it into two separate phases, breaking and Training. Breaking is defined as:

4. THE OBJECTS OF BREAKING AND TRAINING.–
   a. General.–The education of the young horse should continue for two years, and this rule should not be disregarded except for mobilization. The preparation for his career comprises two phases; breaking, and training, each corresponding to a definite and distinct objective.

1.–Breaking.–The objectives of breaking are twofold. First, to physically develop and condition the young horse. Second, to bring him to the degree of training where he can be mounted renaining calm and relaxed; be ridden at the walk, trot and gallop [calvary didn’t recognize the canter]; be turned to the right and left and halted without abruptness.

2–Training.–The object sought in the training of remounts is to place the the horses in a state of condition and training essential to their military use.
. . . . .

In the training of remounts, great attention should be paid, first, to their conditioning; second, to their tranquility; third, to their training, properly speaking. Any system of training that neglects the conditioning or destroys the tranquility of horses, is defective.

. . . . .

[I]b[I]. These two divisions in spite of their special denomination do not constitute two clearly defined periods; they represent together the necessary time for the remount to respond physiologically to the requirements of military service. The words, breaking and training, nevertheless carry their own ideas which constantly remind the instructors of the great difference in work that an immature horse can endure and the requirements that may be made upon a horse of six years. One should submit the young horse to the necessarily severe gymnastics of schooling only when his morale, on one hand, and his physical development on the other, allow him to undergo it without fatigue.

It is difficult to state the period of time that is necessary for the proper breaking of remounts. Whatever may be the rider’s skill, the physical development of the horse is subject to the laws of nature. Increased work cannot hasten the natural evolution and substitute itself for the effect of time. For colts four years of age, it may be stated that a year is essential for their proper conditioning; for a horse five years of age, six months should be sufficient; six years of age, four months; and for a seven-year-old and older, two months should be ample.

. . . . .

It is assumed that in the above cases, the horses are sound, and of good quality, bone, substance and conformation, and in good health. If such is not so, a longer period of time in each instance may be necessary. In all cases, it must be distinctly borne in mind that the assignment of remounts to an organization does not mean that their training is complete. Their training is never finished, but is carried on continuously throughout their service.

In the jumping section, the Manual recommends starting jumping training as soon as the horse has finished the breaking phase. It’s divided into two phases as well,

the first phase being called the gymnastics of the jump; the second conducting the horse mounted to an obstacle, over any beyond it. The first phase has for its object to cultivate in the horse confidence, agility, strength and form; the second to train him while jumping to submit completely to guidance and control.

Training horses to jump obstacles should commence early in their education; normally it should begin immediately after the breaking period.

And I personally found this interesting: The gymnastics of the jump phase is begun by leading the unmounted horse over jumps, then longeing and free jumping in a jump chute, and only then was he to be jumped mounted.

Part II of the Cavalry manual is a step by step method of training that covers just about everything training related. The rest of the manual covers all the rest. It’s everything any horse person needs to know in 3 volumes, although the Animal Management and the Shoeing sections are rather outdated, but still very useful and interesting. IThe Manual even has instructions on how to run competitions and build jumps. Some one really ought to republish it.

[rosebudranch]

I start sitting on mine at 2 or 2 1/2 but this consists of no more than twice a week, learning to walk, stop, turn, maybe a little trotting, stopping, walking turning. Max 15-20 min, but once they have an Ah ha moment each ride I praise and stop. This goes on until they are three, I never do more than trot a 2 yr old, but I feel it provides them the opportunity to learn the important dynamics of accepting the bit, leg, and seat without forcing them to learn it all at high speeds. Allows for a more rewarding experience when they finally canter and builds up some strength an balance as well, without any undue stress

[secretariat]

I’ve broken and trained horses for 50 years, but I’m not claiming any particular skill - am just reporting my unscientific observations. Grade, AQHA, and walking horses were backed at 18 - 24 months. Never had a problem with any of them.

I have a friend who is a very successful upper level eventer. She always backs at 2 years, begins “training” at late 3 year olds. Says it’s not too tough for the 2 y.o.'s and they’re much more malleable then, and more trainable as 3 y.o.'s.

My professional daughter does not break until late 3 y.o.'s and does not jump until 4 y.o.'s. All of her horses have been sweethearts (not necessarily easy, but become so with training).

While all 3 categories are different, they have one very common thread - judgement, respect for the horse, and successful development of lifetime horses.

My conclusion? Don’t overwork any horse at any time, let the specific horse dictate the schedule, and practically any regimen will work. Perhaps an oversimplification, but it’s my story and I’m sticking with it.