STARTING A KIGER UNDER SADDLE

[dkelly]

BEING USE TO QUARTER HORSES, I AM USE TO SEEING HORSES STARTED UNDER SADDLE AT 2YO. I HAVE A 9 MONTH OLD KIGER. CAN SHE BE STARTED UNDER SADDLE AT 2YO WITH VERY LIGHT RIDING? I'VE BEEN AROUND HORSES A LOT OF MY LIFE BUT NEVER A KIGER. I KNOW IT'S WAAAAY EARLY BUT I'M TERRIFIED OF MAKING A MISTAKE WITH THIS HORSE FOR SOME REASON. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. OH, AND WHEN I SAY LIGHT RIDING I MEAN 15 - 30 MINUTE SESSIONS UNTIL SHE IS 2.5 THEN STEP IT UP A BIT. IS THIS OK?

[sbutter]

Honestly, holding off would be more than likely better. This tends to be a slower maturing breed and have seen pictures of dipped back youngsters that were started at 2. For Mojito, I lightly started him at about 2.5 and then basically turned him back out to let him mull it over and mature more. I just put a saddle on on a headstall and let him wear it quite a bit. I hopped on him a couple times just at a walk and some trotting in a large circle (don't want to hurt those young legs). If she looks gawky at 2.5, I wouldn't try riding her, just because her body isn't balanced and some areas would have to overcompensate. There are a lot of things that you can do from the ground though, almost to the point where the horse knows what you want when you do finally get in the saddle.

[DianneC]

i know what you mean about being worried about making a mistake, I felt that way about Chinook when I got him at 9 months. Kigers are pretty forgiving, although they can become scared with rough treatment. The most important thing right now is to learn from your filly, she will teach you a lot if you let her. These are pretty different horses from QHs. They communicate what they are thinking really well. And once you earn their trust and respect (you are fair, kind and a good leader) they will do their best to please you. They will work hard for your praise and will not tolerate harsh treatment like a QH will. Not saying that you do that but my instructor was a kick'm, kick'm harder type and only had QHs.
It's very addictive to be treated like a member of the herd and to have the trust of your horse. They will frequently leave their food to come and greet you. I think you'll enjoy it.
They are slower to mature than QHs and you would do well to do lots of ground work and see how your girl is at 2.5 or 3.

[Michelle Clarke]

Horses spines are not fused until they are five...with that said, I find most of our are not mentally ready until three, sometimes four. The maturity level is so much better and they handle training more confidently. We usually start about three, ride lightly, meaning no hard stops, lead changes or collection - then start giving them a job around four. That is our base but as I said, each one is different and sometimes need later starting.

Sarah, you make a good point. Many people consider QH's "aged" at seven or eight. By early teens, they usually have foot issues and back issues from being started hard at two. Man, horses are just getting good at eight! These Spanish horses will last well into their twenties being useful if they are done right at the beginning.

[stormyranch]

I throw a leg over at 2.5 years old and give them some rides around the round pen. Then I put them away and don't ride them again for 6 months. This gives them more time to mature mentally. And none of them forget those first rides.
Lisa

[kimk]

I wait until they are at least 3, preferably 4. Up til then it's all groundwork. But that's just me....
As Michelle stated, the last thing to fuse is the spine which occurs between the 5th and 6th year. no horse is fully physically mature until 6.