can i start riding my 15hh quarter horse long yearling?

by connie
(rocklin ,ca , usa)

I have a 15hh yearling quarter horse gelding that was born june of 2008, and i know a lot of breeds are aged at the first of the year in january so would he would be considered 2 years old at the beginning of the year and can i start riding him now? he is very calm and willing to do anything i ask of him. He already lunges, ties, bathes, trailers, clips and stands for the farrier and he seems to be bored with the regular lunging routine. He has had a saddle and bridle on and is completely fine with it and i have even sat on him for brief periods of time, do you think i will hurt him if i start light training so by the time summer is here i can start giving him a job to do?

Answer: Most people do not start riding their horses until after the age of 2 or even 3 years old. The problem is that his growth plates in his legs haven't closed up yet. Riding him to early could damage those plates and cause permanant damage to his legs.

I really don't think I would rush this if I were you, you certainly don't want to cause any damage to your horse. Just continue very light work with him and building your relationship with him and when it does come time to ride, you shouldn't have any problems.