When is the right time to break an Arab gelding

Question
I am taking on an arab gelding rescue who is two years, two months old.  I've broken thoroughbreds, quarters and grades before, even an 18.1hh Belgian, but don't have a lot of experience with arabs.

I have someone telling me that you CANNOT break an Arab before 5 years old, and you cannot run them for their first year at all, or the horse will be ruined for life.  This seems pretty unrealistic to me, however better safe than sorry.

The gelding is a sweet horse who was in a bad situation.  A vet had declared him sound and the farrier agrees.  When is the right time to break him?  

By the way, I mean break as in ground work, acclimation, gradual progression from student to companion, not some cowboy-rodeo method.

Answer
Hi Bob,

First off congratulations....Arabs are wonderful companions and very intelligent.  If this lad has had a bad start in life, wait till he's at least four...and take it VERY slowly with him.  Take things easy, and don't attempt to canter until he's balanced and happy in walk and trot.

He might pick it up easily, he might not...start doing groundwork with him now, lead him out on trails, let him see the world.  Introduce some Parelli games /natural horsemanship type stuff to get him used to moving away from pressure,so he will pick up leg cues more easily.  Walk through some beginner dressage tests on the ground.  Do some despooking so he won't be scared of stuff he sees out and about.

The key to arabs is to keep them stimulated, they are very intelligent horses and get bored easily.  I have taught my 25 yr old arab mare to say please and thank you, and to say thank you when she gets a rosette from the judge if we go to a show.  

Hope this has helped, and good luck with this lad, arabs are a very rewarding breed to have, and once you have had one, you will always have more...they are addictive!  Well done for giving him a second chance.

Emma xx