In a message dated 2/2/2006 8:09:22 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
KimFue@xxxxxxx writes:
When do you have to start training an
eventing horse for competition at 4 years old to be capable even at the lowest
levels of cross country, jumping, and dressage?
In the past, having ridden, trained and competed numerous breeds in both
dressage and working over fences, it is less and less common to see 4 years old
being competed, and the ones I do see don't last long. The best riders
historically do not have a record of competing and winning on young horses. The
very best horses in these disciplines are actually the 9-14 year old crowd, with
many not hitting their peak or prime until 12 or so. This is as it should be,
and Kim, your email was tremendously timely, since Audrey's young stallion, who
is 5 in March, has a slight ping in the soft tissue over the stifle. I spoke to
the vet, and she considers it developmental - the best diagnosis, since this
means that simply backing off his work load for another 6 months or so will
alleviate the problem. When I read your post, it confirmed my thoughts - a 5
year old is JUST BARELY ready for low level dressage exercises, and size also
plays a part - this is one hunky colt! He is solid, with tremendous bone, large
hips and a broad chest, and at least 15 hands.
The very best horses, regardless of when they were started, do not become
the very best because they began heavy competition at 4 or even 5 years old.
When asking a horse to do even more, such as 3-6 hours in motion, it is
critical that we be SURE that those horses are mature enough to handle it.
Sadly, the only way we find out is when the horses "don't last" or "aren't good
enough" - when in fact if they had had just another year or so to mature might
have had a long and pleasantly successful career. I for one prefer to wait until
our horses are 6 to do even a 25 miler in most cases - don't like to ride a
teenaged brain anyhow.:) San
