Conference noted::equitation

    When I bought Red, I was told he was 2 years old, about to turn 3 (it
    was October).  He had been bought off the NJ tracks and was VERY green
    broke - he couldn't canter but he knew that humans ride horses.  Last
    year I discovered that the tatoo on his lip means that he was only
    about to turn 2 that first October.  Anyway, we spent the first 6
    months walking and trotting only to build the muscles and balance for
    cantering.  I also only rode in a soft indoor ring.  Red's legs have
    been fine - no problems from his early use (he's 5 now).  We didn't
    start him jumping until he was a little older to be on the safe side. 
    If this paint has been saddle broke, at least, I would think light
    workouts to get him used to riding, the bit, commands, etc would be
    fine.  Its a lot of work but its fun.  I learned so much about riding
    from training a young horse.  I was lucky, though, in that Red has such
    a good attitude towards learning.  He's very calm and, aside from a few
    throwback incidents from racing (ie. taking off at a gallop at random
    intervals the first few months), he's been a great pupil.  Now that
    he's older, his stubborn streak is emerging, but the first few training
    years were easy.

    Michelle,
    
    When you have the Vet check the horse I would suggest
    X-Raying her front legs, the vet can tell by the X-Rays
    how far along her joints are fused, and if there has been
    any damage done so far.  You should be able to work her
    lightly with no problems..
    
    You should come over and talk to Bruce, he started with Jessie
    when he was just shy of two, if I do say so myself he
    did a great job with him, he can tell you the do's and don'ts 
    he never had any problems....
    
    Good Luck!!
    
    Lori
    

    
    RE: .1
    
    Did you have another horse to ride?  Did you do any trail riding or
    just ring/show work?  How much time did you spend with him daily?
    In the ring?
    
    I think this would be an excellent opportunity to learn more about
    riding and training (My instructor *loves* working with the young
    ones), but I'm not sure (where I have to board out) if this is the
    time I want to do this......my friends and I do a lot of trail riding
    in the warmer weather.
    
    

    Every youngster is different, but most 2 year olds are not up to
    long (over an hour) trail rides. I would hesitate to trail ride
    that young of a horse, but keep in mind the terrain around here is
    very hilly. If you have an older horse to ride a young one could
    benifit greatly from being ponied down the trail instead of ridden.
    The young ones I have started in the past were ridden around the fields
    for no more than 1/2 hour at a time until they were 3 1/2. Then trail
    riding begins for real. Following this I have never (knock wood) had
    any leg problems at all.

    Each breed is different but two is young to start riding.  The bones
    are still developing, etc.  I realize they ride track horses at 2 but
    many of them develop leg problems because they are so stressed.
    
    With the Arabs we start long lining and driving as 2/3 year olds with
    some light riding (depending on their physical maturity).
    
    Good luck....it will be an experience.
    

    The barn I was at when I first got Red had a higher boarding cost 
    than average, but that included 10 1-hour lessons/month.  These 
    could be substituted for 30-minute training rides by Emily, my 
    instructor.  I could also use the lessons to ride a school horse if I 
    wanted.  The lessons were a great training tool - both for me and Red.  
    Plus, it kept Emily up to date on our progress.  Taking lessons 2 times a 
    week meant that Em could correct my riding before Red picked up a bad 
    habit.  For the most part, I rode for 45 minutes a day, five days a 
    week, 1-hour when I took my bi-weekly lessons.  I would have Emily ride 
    him a couple times a month and I would sometimes take a lesson on a 
    different horse.  In the spring, I co-leased Red with a more experienced
    rider, so he got more advanced training on the flatwork and an introduction 
    to jumping.  Again, nothing strenuous because I didn't want him to
    burn-out.  

    We didn't trail ride very often because, at the time, he could be pretty 
    silly out in the fields where we rode.  He saw it as play time - meaning 
    "don't listen to what Mom says".  The rides we did take were relatively
    short and easy (mostly walking).  He has since grown out of the playing on 
    trail rides, though he still tends to get a little strong.
    
    Do talk with your instructor before you go ahead with a young horse. 
    Emily and I discussed the pros and cons of training a 2 yr old, so I 
    had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into.  I also had her
    complete support and guidance.  That was invaluable when I would get
    frustrated over something Red didn't want to learn.  That is when I
    would usually get her to ride him!

    Good luck - it frustrating, but fun.