hibernating horsefield tortoises

Question
I have an 8 month old Horsefield tortoise reserved at a pet shop until my tortoise table arrives.  But I am a bit worried about hibernation.  I have researched it on the internet but it is confusing as every sight says something different.
  If you know of any web sights that give you step by step guides on how to hibernate, that would be great.  I would also like to know if it would be better not to hibernate my tortoise this year, and wait till I'm more used to caring for it (I am a complete beginner).  One sight said it is better not to hibernate for the first 3-5 years - is that right?
  Basically I would just like something simple that tells me everything I need to know about getting my tortoise ready for hibernation, how long to hibernate it for and the best way to bring him out of hibernation.
  Sorry for all the questions, but hopefully this might help.  Thanks alot, Amy.

Answer
Hi Amy, I have linked two articles on hibernation from the Tortoise Trust site (you can link to more from there). It is one of the most comprehensive sites on tortoise care and addresses your particular questions. The site has a rather long and frightening list of potential health problems and fatal mistakes that can happen during hibernation.  Although some biologists believe that hibernation increases the lifespan of these tortoises I have to wonder whether that is outweighed by the yearly risk of illness (or death) that artificial hibernation can result in. Many keepers of Mediterranean species choose to not hibernate at all.     
You really need to be quite certain of your tortoises health before putting him into hibernation. Between your status as a first time owner, his young age and the fact that you will not have owned him very long (to observe his health) I would really suggest that you put off hibernation for this year.

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/juvhib.htm

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/safer.html