Since Ryker is 2, and he is a decent height and seems steady on his feet, not wobbly like most youngsters I know, I am preparing to break him. Today we took a walk, a hand walk, he wore my wintec saddle, saddle pad, girth and breast plate. He was a star, he's never had a saddle tight on him before. When he was 1 I would put a cheapo saddle on him in the stall not too tight then take it off a few mins later. Today I groomed him, did his hooves, then flapped the pad around a bit and put it on him, no problem. Then I put the saddle on, then the breast plate, and lastly the saddle and girth. He looked at me when I tightened it the first time, but a cookie made any thought of worry dissappear. 
I stretched his front legs out, then tightened the girth a little. Then we walked a bit, tightened again. We walked down the driveway to the bridge. Halfway down I tightened again. When we got to the bridge, I checked to make sure it wasn't loose, then dropped the stirrups. I bumped them into his sides, he didn't care even a little. Then I patted loudly all over the saddle, no issue. Then we walked back to the barn. It was about a 15 min walk total. Not a big deal, but I was very proud of him
Pics:

"Yawn, seriously mom, whats the big deal? Its JUST a saddle, get over yourself"

So I am going to introduce a bit tomorrow (I've started horses before, not my first time), so I am just curious, what is your favorite bit to start a youngster in? I usually use just a regular d-ring snaffle. I am going to get him used to wearing the tack and taking walks, then I'll introduce lunging and then long lining, then I'll get on him. I am very excited about the whole thing, I love this little guy so much!
I stretched his front legs out, then tightened the girth a little. Then we walked a bit, tightened again. We walked down the driveway to the bridge. Halfway down I tightened again. When we got to the bridge, I checked to make sure it wasn't loose, then dropped the stirrups. I bumped them into his sides, he didn't care even a little. Then I patted loudly all over the saddle, no issue. Then we walked back to the barn. It was about a 15 min walk total. Not a big deal, but I was very proud of him
Pics:

"Yawn, seriously mom, whats the big deal? Its JUST a saddle, get over yourself"

So I am going to introduce a bit tomorrow (I've started horses before, not my first time), so I am just curious, what is your favorite bit to start a youngster in? I usually use just a regular d-ring snaffle. I am going to get him used to wearing the tack and taking walks, then I'll introduce lunging and then long lining, then I'll get on him. I am very excited about the whole thing, I love this little guy so much!
