Training a Percheron to Saddle... help

[hannah.marlar]

Hi there,

I grew up with horses, and my sister and I have Morgans, but lately I've totally caught Percheron Fever! Here in the next few months I would like to buy a yearling Percheron stud, and start training him to saddle when he's two. However, my sister brought up a good point about the strength of their knees. I know in some breeds, like morgans, it takes a little while longer for their knees to close, so they caution on riding too much when they are very young. Could this be a possible concern for saddle training a 2 year old percheron? I don't want the horse I buy to get shin splints...

Thanks!

[cocobeans]

Hi,
Just joined the PHN and saw your post about starting percherons for riding. I don't know about other training methods but all of the trainers of drafts and draft crosses around here do a little light riding at 2 y/o just to intruduce the saddle and the weight of a rider, give them a couple of years off to continue to grow and begin full training at 4. That is how my mare was trained and she took to riding well as a 4y/o, although stubborn. When I bought her as a 4y/o she did have some nasty splints though. The vet said these are most likely caused by romping arounf the pasture that riding.

[Harley]

Hi Hannah,

I am by far not the most expierenced person that posts to this board. I'm sure you'll get some excellant feedback here. But here is my two cents for what its worth. Drafts generally mature later and grow longer than lighter breeds. Most with "heavy" horses do not put them into serious under saddle work until they are at minimum 3 or preferably 4 years old as their joints are not ready for the work. My Perch was still growing at 6 and at 7 is finally his mature and full grown self (physically and mentally!!).

Those immature years are a great time for ground work to make sure your "biggun" has good manners as a larger, heavy horse is annoying at best and dangerous at worse. Does he/she tie? Load? Clip? Walk calmly and nicely in hand without running you over? Stand calmly for the farrier? Lots of work to do if you are waiting for a little maturity before going under saddle.

I'm in it for the long haul with my horse, Chevy. I have a vested interest in his long term joint health and that meant waiting until he was a little older.

Cheers!