Lin - I am opinionated, no doubt (I was raised on a ranch and have 30 years of experience - that tends to make a person very sure of themselves). But critical no. I am very open minded and teachable. I apologize if I come across as critical, I think the nature of this board may bring that out in some of us.

Are we talking hard riding or just starting a horse here?

Really, just starting a young horse does not hurt them if it does not include really hard work. Its like teaching a child the ABC's before they actually go to school. If they are teachable, and they show signs of being ready, take advantage of the moment. You have to know the horse, and know if it is ready, wether that be at two or five or seven. There really is no right or wrong answer here. Some horses bloom early and some bloom later. I personally would never ride a two year old hard, and I typically do not start mine until three, unless they show signs of being ready.
I like to halter break them at weaning and then turn them out until they are long two year olds, or three. But you can bet at five we are riding the crap out of them...it makes them good horses.
I was the daughter who wouldn't lift a finger in the house but cycled madly off in the pouring rain to spend all morning mucking out a stable.p067.ezboard.com/bhorseloversdotcom