training my 3 year old Welsh pony

Question
I bought a 3 year old Welsh pony 4 months ago, and when I got him he could only walk and trot and had problems steering. Now he is walking, trotting, cantering,  perfectly and is starting to jump. The highest I have jumped him so far on his back is probably 2'3'', and free lunging he can jump 3'6'' with ease. He shows no problem jumping, has never been lame and loves it! I am just wondering, if this is too soon to start jumping him, and what I should be doing with him, and if you had any tips on training. Also, when i should start teaching him his flying changes. He knows them naturally, but does not have his auto changes yet.

Answer
Hi,

STOP NOW!!!!!!

Please............he should just about be being lunged and longreined in preparation for backing at 4................working a 3 yr old at this level will have a bad impact on joints that are NOT ready for this kind of work!

DO NOT jump him any more till he's at LEAST 5 yrs old, and his joints are sufficiently hardened to take the physical effort!  I am seriously concerned about this pony now.....you could be damaging joints that are still growing!  

My suggestion is you STOP riding him, STOP jumping him, and DON'T EVEN THINK about teaching him flying changes till he is a lot older, 6 -8 yrs is best!

A 3yr old pony is STILL A BABY, and should be lunged, and handled, and longreined, and maybe lightly backed......then turned away to mature for 12 months, still brought in and lunged and  longreined once or twice a week, but definitely not ridden, and certainly not jumping!


If I did what you are doing in this country, I would have the Animal Welfare officers prosecuting me for cruelty!

So, just stop everything, take him back to long reining and lunging, and let him grow up!


Emma xx