Did You Know?>

Young horses should not be started under saddle until they're at least three years old. The cartilage in the growth plates in their knees have not yet "closed" or converted to bone. Riding too early causes stress on these structures. In fact, waiting until the horse is four or even five before you begin riding him gives other growth plates time to 'close'. Since horses are often ridden well into their 20s and sometimes into their 30s, there's no good reason to start riding early!