Wow, such American Attitudes. (Don't worrie, I live in canada we share the same thoughts)

That was something I learned from a proffesioal dressage trainer in Europe.

People in North America will start a horse at 2 years old. Most people don't want 12 year old horses because "they're too old"

However in Europe, they start their horses at 4 and they're horses prime life is at 12.

Here we make it at about 5 or 6, then the horse is "garbage"


In MY opinion, starting a horse at 3 is fine, 2 is too young. However the training should only beggin when they are 4.

A three year old is still unbalanced and growing. To ask a three year old to accomplish something like a sliding stop, or jumping, is just crazy.

Get them sued to the saddle and the weigh, allow the horse to be comfortable before you begin intense training at the age of 4.