I agree with Norrishbex above, RE handling from young, ours learn to lead, trim, and tie up well and truely before their first birthday, then otherwise left in the paddock to be horses, and dont get a saddle or mouthed until 2, and then only lightly, and ridden lightly for a few weeks, then spelled for six months, brought back in, and ridden lightly again. The work doesnt really start until they are 3. But they are Quarter Horses, real thinkers, and quite sensible and able to handle it.
However, having said that, we also have a yearling with not the best of front legs, she probably wont get broken until shes easily three or even four. So truely, each horse is an individual. My gelding by Reebok Roc was LOOKING for work to do as a one and three quarter year old, he wore a saddle and was mouthed then, but not ridden until a two year old. And he thrived on it. Got bored being in the paddock. He positively DEMANDED to be ridden.
In the meantime we cart ours all over the South West to campdrafts, right from when they are weanlings, so they are used to hustle and bustle and noise and travelling by the time they are ridden.
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