Warmblood in Training

Question
I have (by horse standards) a 2 year old warmblood (born may '06). (Not sure if I like to consider him 2 yet).  I have heard both sides whether I should start getting on his back this early or not.  Some say "no way" he's a slow grower and you need to let him further develop; and others have said that light riding (walking, some trotting) now and then is not going to hurt him, it will be good for him.  How do you feel about this?  I keep going back and forth on my opinion, because I don't want to hurt him for future progress, but I also want to get started.
Also, what do you recommend as far as nutrition?  I've never had my horses on more than grass hay and a basic grain supplement.  Are all the added vitamins and grains necessary for warmbloods? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jessica!

These are excellent questions and I am glad to hear you are being so responsible about breaking your baby.

The ONLY opinion that matters is that of your vet.  These larger breeds do mature more slowly mentally and physically and do need a bit more care in that regard.

The standard I use for breaking large horses is plenty of solid ground training for all manners of handling and wise longeing, followed by longlining and then the saddle.

You never want to do any one particular gait too much or too fast.  Yes, he may canter on the longe but, it must be at last a 20 meter circle and don't over-do it.  He should be on a program of consistent training that alternates.  One day all T/O. Next day, light longeing at the walk and trot concentrating on getting and keeping his attention.  Then back to all day T/O followed by a day with longeing and allowing a brief but, productive cantering time. And so on....

Before you start anything serious have the vet out to look at his leg joints to make sure he is ready for solid exercise.  Vets like to see the knee closed up before you get them going strong.

The main thing to remember with babies is to never push them too hard or too fast.  Multiple, short, consistent training times are best instead of a marathon session just once or twice a week because that's all the time you have.  Babies do not have allot of patience and will blow up out of frustration and then learn to hate training time.

Also, a good baby may just keep going along trying to please you and you don't even realize you have done too much....because he hasn't stopped.  You must stop him after a goal is successfully reached and always on a positive note.  Avoid pushing at all costs.  Yes, you must be firm and get him to go a little farther everytime but, he depends on you to know when enough is enough.  There is always tomorrow  :-)

Lastly, be careful on additives and too much food or protein.  He should not need any additives at his age unless your area's hay has a specific lack of a nutrient.  These larger horses can live on air and over-feeding to show your love is a huge trap.  Overweight horses are just as unhappy and unhealthy as overweight people.  Keep him trim and well exercised....then he can keep up in any sport you choose to do with him.

If you do decide to ever hire a professional trainer, get one who knows and understands your breed.  Picking a QH person or an Arab person for your big guy would not work.  Every breed has it's idiosyncrasies and you have to know what they are as a trainer....then you get good results.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange