Horse Joints

Question
I have been riding hunter/jumpers since I was 8 years old, I am now 17. Recently, I started some colt starting and I really enjoy it. My most recent investment is a 3 year old quarter horse mare, I broke her when she was two and a half although I mostly just did walk/trot work with her. I have recently started working her at the canter and she is coming along great. She seems to have an aptitude for jumping (she jumped out my 4 foot pasture) so I was going to take her in that direction. Is it going to hurt her in the long run if I start jumping her lightly (once a week) now? I know her knee joints are closed, but I also  know that some other joints don't close until 5.

Answer
Hello Katie,

It is those pushoff joints that you have to worry about now...the hocks and stifle.  Please hold off on jumping until she is a full four year old and then keep then low for a while. In the beginning do 12-14 jumps, twice a week. Better wider than higher, and it would be good if you had someone to help you.  Work her on gymnastic grids for several months before you begin single jumps and keep her to a trot. She will do much less damage to herself and build more confidence at the trot than having to canter.

Happy riding,
Dorothy