How young is too young?

onetime · 08-13-2008, 08:37 PM

My daughter has a 3 year old Connemara that we purchased from a well known breeder. The horse had professional training before we bought her and has been shown and jumped. She is an absolute dream. Very well trained and behaved. Very willing, sweet and able. However, we have been told absolutely not to jump her - even small jumps, until she is at least 4. I am having the vet out next month to do x rays and such, however, do you all think that it would hurt her if my daughter took her over small (2 feet) jumps a couple times a week? I have heard and read so many conflicting opinions. I know that we must wait until the vet gives her decision - i was just wondering how everyone else feels. Thanks so much!

**beth55051** · 08-13-2008, 08:52 PM

IMO 3 years old is way too young to be jumping. At that age IMO the horse/pony should just be getting started undersaddle and learning the basics. Jumping in my opinion shouldn't start until the horse is finished growing, no earlier than 5 years of age at the earliest.

2' jumps are much higher in comparison to a pony than they are to a 17 hand warmblood. A 2' foot jump is hardly a step over for a warmblood or other large horse while it might be quite a jump for a pony.

I would really have to wonder what kind of damage has already been done to your ponies landing gear by jumping and showing her at such a young age while she's still barely more than a baby.

mafarion · 08-13-2008, 08:55 PM

You could take x-rays to see if the pony's knees have fused together yet. If they have, then I would think it would be be alright to maybe jump 18 inches. If they are not yet fused, then the pony should not be jumped.

breburtch · 08-14-2008, 06:50 AM

IMO a horse should not be going over jumps or doing any overly strenuios(sp) work until there atleast 4 going over groundpoles at 3 is fine but jumping is a big no no IMO. You want to make sure the knees are fussed for one and also most horses aren't done growing until 4 and you could do some serious damage to there growing bones,joints and muscles

paso_lover · 08-14-2008, 06:55 AM

I have to agree with Beth and Bre.

EquineAlberta · 08-14-2008, 10:03 AM

I agree, this pony is much too young to be jumping anything more than a pole on the ground. I am not sure what x-rays will tell you at this point though; damage done would most likely be to the cartilege, which will not show up on x-rays until later in life (when the bone is affected).

As ,having the knees closed is only one part of it...the upper joints and spine develope/close after the knees and they are also used for jumping and much harder to treat if strained. Jumping strains the stifle, pelvis, elbow, shoulder. Landing puts more weight on the spine.

THe thing is though, that if you keep jumping the pony it will likely seem fine for years and you will think we are all crazy....unsoundness issues related to overwork at a young age usually appear at a serious level at ages 8-12 and then greatly limit the animals ability to perform.

Karen

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08-13-2008, 08:37 PM
onetime Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8	How young is too young? My daughter has a 3 year old Connemara that we purchased from a well known breeder. The horse had professional training before we bought her and has been shown and jumped. She is an absolute dream. Very well trained and behaved. Very willing, sweet and able. However, we have been told absolutely not to jump her - even small jumps, until she is at least 4. I am having the vet out next month to do x rays and such, however, do you all think that it would hurt her if my daughter took her over small (2 feet) jumps a couple times a week? I have heard and read so many conflicting opinions. I know that we must wait until the vet gives her decision - i was just wondering how everyone else feels. Thanks so much! Last edited by onetime : 08-13-2008 at 08:42 PM.

08-13-2008, 08:52 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,693	IMO 3 years old is way too young to be jumping. At that age IMO the horse/pony should just be getting started undersaddle and learning the basics. Jumping in my opinion shouldn't start until the horse is finished growing, no earlier than 5 years of age at the earliest. 2' jumps are much higher in comparison to a pony than they are to a 17 hand warmblood. A 2' foot jump is hardly a step over for a warmblood or other large horse while it might be quite a jump for a pony. I would really have to wonder what kind of damage has already been done to your ponies landing gear by jumping and showing her at such a young age while she's still barely more than a baby. __________________ *Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.*

08-13-2008, 08:55 PM
mafarion Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 77	You could take x-rays to see if the pony's knees have fused together yet. If they have, then I would think it would be be alright to maybe jump 18 inches. If they are not yet fused, then the pony should not be jumped.

08-14-2008, 06:50 AM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,841	IMO a horse should not be going over jumps or doing any overly strenuios(sp) work until there atleast 4 going over groundpoles at 3 is fine but jumping is a big no no IMO. You want to make sure the knees are fussed for one and also most horses aren't done growing until 4 and you could do some serious damage to there growing bones,joints and muscles

08-14-2008, 06:55 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,444	I have to agree with Beth and Bre. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-14-2008, 10:03 AM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,424	I agree, this pony is much too young to be jumping anything more than a pole on the ground. I am not sure what x-rays will tell you at this point though; damage done would most likely be to the cartilege, which will not show up on x-rays until later in life (when the bone is affected). As ,having the knees closed is only one part of it...the upper joints and spine develope/close after the knees and they are also used for jumping and much harder to treat if strained. Jumping strains the stifle, pelvis, elbow, shoulder. Landing puts more weight on the spine. THe thing is though, that if you keep jumping the pony it will likely seem fine for years and you will think we are all crazy....unsoundness issues related to overwork at a young age usually appear at a serious level at ages 8-12 and then greatly limit the animals ability to perform. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?