I would say that start is a much better beginning for the horse. I certainly don’t want to break his spirit. I want to train him for his task with a human.

I also think it is important to start the horse at birth and prepare it for it’s job when needed. I see it as a real handicap for the horse to put it to pasture for 3 or more years and then one day say today I am going to start it.

I have 2 different horses

One that I purchased and started at 4 and when I first got on him he was shaking. A LBE brave innately but not prepared to ride.

Our filly was born here. Having preparations for riding at birth and now and then preparing her to be a riding horse. When I first took her for her first trail ride she left the other older horses and was very confident to ride.

~Maryann