Michelle Strapp - Eventing/Dressage

A decision as to when to break your young horse in, should vary for each individual horse. Variables that I take into consideration include

•  The physical development of the individual horse (size, both height and strength and the development of the joints).

• Availability of a suitable work area for consolidating work after breaking

• My availability and work schedule to ensure the horse gets consistent work for the weeks following the breaking.

As a general rule, I don’t like to leave the breaking process too long as I find that it can be a smoother and less confrontational experience for the horse when it is younger rather than leaving it until the horse is gaining too much strength.

I am inclined to consider breaking young thoroughbred stock at around 2 years of age as I find that their physical and joint development matures slightly earlier than the young warmblood. Ideally the young thoroughbred or warmblood has been well handled (but not spoiled) since birth. Often I find many homebred young horses (those not coming from a professional environment), can be so confident of people, that they have little respect and are somewhat unruly when it comes to breaking them in. The well handled young horse is confident but respectful of their handler and this can make the process much easier for all concerned.

The young warmblood horse, as a general rule may wait until 2 Ŋ or even 3 years of age ensuring that it is also well handled in this period so that with increased size and strength does not come a spoiled attitude! If I feel that the young warmblood is becoming too unruly then I will bring forward the breaking timetable. Warmbloods in particular can often develop more body mass that their joints are ready for and this should be taken into account when deciding when to increase the stress on these joints by breaking them in. I use HyGain Flexion as a supplement to minimise the stress on my horses joints throughout any period that may expose them to increased where and tear.

As with people, horses develop physically at different rates and this must always be the major consideration when deciding when to break in. It is, however very important to ensure that there is a work area with solid (not slippery) footing available and that I am free to offer the freshly broken young horse light but consistent work following the breaking. Consolidation comes from repetition and it would be no good breaking in a young horse only to turn it out immediately after the process.

Finally I feel that the key too many things horse related is flexibility. I like to consider the individual horse’s needs and plan according to the areas I have highlighted.   

.Michelle Strapp

Back to Top

Naomi Strong - Dressage

I like to break my Warmbloods in after they have turned 3. How soon after 3 depends on how mentally and physically mature they are. I like to also have the summer to work on young horses, the middle of a freezing winter when time in the day is short and they are as woolly as mammoths is probably not ideal for either partner.

Of course other breeds have different priorities (not just the weather!!!). The Thoroughbred industry is geared to some extent to racing 2 year olds. So they break in just after the yearling sales. This might sound pretty early to some but the Thoroughbred reaches 90% of its full growth in the first 2 years. Whilst Warmbloods can take up to 7 years to reach full maturity, therefore we tend to be slower off the mark to break in and slower with the training.

Of course it is not just the timing of the breaking process that is important but that vital first months under saddle that shapes them into what sort of horse they will be. A lot of consideration should be given as to what exactly you will do with your new 'baby' once it is back from the breakers. What time and opportunity you have to get out on the trails, go mustering and in general give a young horse a broad range of experiences, not just a 60x 20 arena.

If time and ability to do this is limited then you should consider sending them to a trainer with a good reputation with young horses and one that can give them an all round education. Or, if this isn't possible then maybe to a few different specialists so that the horse is not drilled in just one discipline.

Here is a photo of a 3 year old of mine at the breakers. First ride out and therefore in a halter.

This horse was physically ready for breaking in but a bit young in the mind so he has had a 2 months work then a 6 weeks spell then back to the breakers for a refresher and then another 2 months work and then another spell. This process has continued for the first 12 months under saddle. Another 3 year old was broken at a similar time but was more mentally mature and has stayed in light work (3-4 days a week) continuously. It just depends on what they can handle and being prepared to change the system for each individual is really important. I guess it's a bit like feeding, you just have treat them all as individuals and be prepared to feed them what they need. That is why the HYGAIN range is so fantastic, there is something for everybody!!!

Naomi Strong

Back to Top

Sam Bartlett - Dressage

Firstly, I don't like to think of it as BREAKING IN as I think it is a very important part of a horses learning whatever career the horse is going to have. So I like to think of it as Equine Education .

If done badly then this could create problems right through a horse's life. Not all horses are the same a bit like us so what works for one may not work for all. So you need to have many roads to get to Roam.

I have trained many young horses at this stage all different ages breeds and sizes .I generally start at about two years of age depending on their temperaments. Maybe they are a little smart and need to be put back into line may be may be they are going to be very tall so you want start educating before you have a monster but what you do may just be light. For example you may have a plan of six weeks this may start with ground work (e.g. catching tying up picking up feet then lunging introducing sadlery long raining and then backing). At this point you may then put the horse back out in the paddock for three months, six months, twelve months then repeat.... it just depends on the individuals maturity, bone structure and probably the hardest... how patient you are.

Remember slow and steady wins the race. Most of our performance horses peak when they hit double figures so we do have time on our side. Please also remember that all of the above is all a generalization and we need to be prepared to work with the individuals that we are training at the time.

Cheers and happy riding,
Samantha Bartlett

Back to Top