Training at 2

I am taking my 2 1/2 yr old gelding Oct 9 to a trainer. This particular trainer will not start them at 2, but 2 1/2 is a good starting point, in his opinion. I think he REALLY prefers 3 but since my gelding is already 15.2 he figures he will be fine at 2 1/2.

We have already done a lot of ground training ourselves and will take him to his 2nd halter showing this weekend. We have also been on him, bareback pad and saddle, with someone leading, for very short time. In my opinion, this gelding is an eager and fast learner, he really wants to please. We have been taking it easy with him as we don't want the trainer to have to fix what we screwed up!

Paul


[quote=samsara]

I've been searching for a trainer.  I've inquired on 3 as to if they have openings and I've interviewed/visted 1 already.  I didn't care for her for reasons that probably belong in another post.  For all 3 I have asked if they have availibilities in the spring.  Reidar will be 3 in May. 
One of the trainers suggested I put him into training this winter citing that at 2 they learn more easily and quickly.  He's trained many horses for major futurities at 2.  And he said that as long as you spend less than 30 minutes in the saddle at a time there shouldn't be any damage done to the growing horse. 
Does anyone have any thoughts on this philosophy?

IMO they don't learn any more easily or quickly at 2. In fact, most 3 year olds are more mature and mentally ready for work and come along a lot quicker. Having said that, I don't personally see anything wrong with backing a 2 year old, unless they're actually being WORKED. Getting them used to someone on their back, walking, steering, halting, etc. isn't hard on them.

Well I am not sure if this helps or not.
 
Nike- my new guy had 60 days put on him as a two year old then kicked out an started as a 3 year old.  The people I got him from do this with all of theirs and say it takes a ton of the fight out of them. 
 
I usually am against anything as at 2, but seeing Nike at 3 I may have to change my beliefs.
 
 

We've started a couple hundred+ horses here under saddle ranging  from 2 to 6 years old.
 
What I've learned is that 3 to 3 1/2 is a great age.
 
That's been my experience.

[quote=TanyaC97]

Nike- my new guy had 60 days put on him as a two year old then kicked out an started as a 3 year old.  The people I got him from do this with all of theirs and say it takes a ton of the fight out of them. 




I can't say Reidar has much "fight" in him... maybe for a nap... but he's definately not your typical 2 year old.  He acts more like he's 30.   [8|]
 
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  Keep them coming, I haven't signed up for anything yet.
 

I started my own filly at 2, of course she'd already been exposed to pretty much everything except me actually being on her, I have saw no adverse effects with her, and as long as they're not doing anything strenuous, which if he's a futurity trainer and respected I can't see them doing anything strenuous with him, he should be fine. I think 2 is a good age to get them thinking, ride them little by little and by the time they're 3-4 they're ready for a discipline.

We started our colts at 2...30 days or so, nothing hard, just saddling, flexing, working gently in a round pen, maybe one or two easy rides out, in one instance a show where a colt showed in snaffle and in trail...then rest for about a year, and another 60 days of more intense training and more challenging rides.

I've been working with a group of warmblood babies off and on since the beginning of May. Most are 2 and a couple are 3. The 3 year olds are much, much easier to work with than the 2 year olds. They've all had the same ground work done with them and I've been backing them and working on basics.  We've basically decided to leave the 2 year olds with what they have and come back to them again next year because it's just been so much easier working with the 3 year olds that it just doesn't seem worth it to fight with the younger ones.

[quote=samsara]

I've been searching for a trainer.  I've inquired on 3 as to if they have openings and I've interviewed/visted 1 already.  I didn't care for her for reasons that probably belong in another post.  For all 3 I have asked if they have availibilities in the spring.  Reidar will be 3 in May. 
One of the trainers suggested I put him into training this winter citing that at 2 they learn more easily and quickly.  He's trained many horses for major futurities at 2.  And he said that as long as you spend less than 30 minutes in the saddle at a time there shouldn't be any damage done to the growing horse. 
Does anyone have any thoughts on this philosophy?


I won't start a horse until 2 1/2, mine or client's.  There are too many variables.  True the knees are probably  closed and they are probably strong enough but I don't like probably.  I've also found 2 1/2 year olds are more ready.  Futirities are BS in my opinion, I don't do them.

Just MO of course, there are lots  of folks that start at 2 and don't have any problems.

not that backing at 2 is not okay, but if i were you id do a bunch of ground work over the winter & send them off to the trainer at age 3.  they are a lot more baby at 2 ! i have a 2yo & a 3yo right now & the 2yo just doesnt get stuff as quick.  you might as well just wait for them to grow & figure out their head until they are 3 =]