This message is from: Joel Harman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I wait until horses are 4 to start them under saddle. I will ride them bareback sparingly as 2 yr olds. Maybe 10" at a time - enough to get them used to having something above them.
I ground drive yearlings, harness them at 2, & may put them on a cart with an older horse when they are coming 3. In the spring I will put them on a plow with 2 other horses. They will also will be used harrowing & discing fields. There will be 3 or 4 discing, depending on what is on the place. They will be on a mower & rake in late spring. If there is any logging to be done, as 3 yr olds they will be in the woods. When they get tired we take a blow. 3 yr olds are teenagers, they get tired & sometimes have trouble staying on task. That is why I like to use older horses with them so they learn to model good behavior & learn a good work ethic young. The stresses placed on an equines back in harness & under saddle are different. (duh!). By their 4th year when the saddle is put on it's no big deal. They have been worked & handled alot. Their minds have done some growing too. Brass Ring Ranch Mosier OR logging & custom farming with fjords.
