best age to break?

[greencoulghstud]

what is the best age to start to break a mature section A? 3 or 4? my filly is well built and very mature and 3 in the new year but unsure what age is best to start her off? She has a showing career ahead and will go away to be broken advice please dont want her to be rushed into anything

[kew]

I've had a 3 year old section B and a 3 year old pure bred arab gelding backed this autumn - I felt they were both mentally and physically ready for it and both have coped absolutely fine: not stressed at all and enjoyed the process. They will both be 4 in early Spring.

I did a bit of in-hand showing with them over the summer which they took in their stride - loading, travelling, in the ring etc. That told me a lot about them and was good prep. They have both been very well handled since they've been with me from yearlings which I think helps them deal with the backing process.

Hope that helps. They're all individuals and what suits one won't suit the other but you will know your filly well and you're the best judge of when she will be ready.

[nici]

My C gelding is the same age as the OP's pony (rising 3). He's done nothing so far. Things may change if he turns out to be a slow maturer, but the current plan is that he will be bitted next summer and we'll start a little groundwork - inhand and start longreining. In the autumn my daughter will sit on him and be led around a bit. Then he'll be turned away again for winter, with a view to starting proper work in the Spring of 2014, around the time of his actual 4th birthday.

[PrincessP]

My very mature section C will be 3 in April. I plan to bit her around July time and do some long reining with her. I hope to then sit on her and then turn her away until she is 4 year old.

I have a section C colt who will be 2 next year and I can already tell that he will be a late maturer. Probs won't start him until 4 years old anyway!

Don't see the point in rushing them as I am not under any pressure to bring them out ridden

[greencoulghstud]

My filly has been shown inhand since 10 months old shes also been out for a few walks with me inhand she loves going out and about and isnt afraid of anything!! Shes out this winter so hopefully see how she is in spring then may start a little work if not then take her out inhand again for a season

[lulah]

i generally think back younsters at 3 1/2 then turn them away for a good few months and bring back just after 4. Then start ridden shows nearer to 5.

[NeverSayNever]

3 1/2 unless the horse is huge and bulshy then I would do it earlier.

[sometime]

4 and a half unless selling when I would reluctantly do it a bit earlier if the new purchaser required but certainly no younger than early 4

[flo1]

It depends (or should do) entirely on the individual horse.

[sometime]

I dont back mine until well past their 4th birthday I do a bit of groundwork in the Spring of their 4th year and then back them mid to late summer

[angelena]

Mine was backed at 3 and turned away until spring when she will be 4. She will be turned away again at 4 and maybe put in foal

[klouisem]

My maxi cob wasn't broken in and in work until he was 5 as he wasn't mature enough. If mature enough long rein, lunge, sit and walk around when three then turn away until four.

[Trot-on]

When the animal in question is mentally mature enough. That could be at 3 or 7. Just take each case as it comes- although many break in horses for showing at around 3-4.

[smiggs]

I have a youngster that will be 3 in the new year and he is mature, but I will be leaving him until the autum before he is backed.

[dazycutter]

All depends on the pony to be honest. You know your pony better than anyone else