Why I Start Training Horses at young age – The Deeper Picture of Posture, Tension, and Development

When I say I begin working with my horses as 2-year-olds, it often raises eyebrows. The common argument is that their skeletal systems haven’t fully fused, and therefore, they “shouldn’t” be in work. But what many people overlook is that a horse isn’t just a skeleton walking around. They are a complex system of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and emotional energy. Their posture and how they carry themselves—mentally and physically—matter just as much as the condition of their bones.

Muscles Before Miles: Understanding the Body Beneath the Skin

While it's true that many skeletal growth plates don't fully close until around 5–6 years old, the muscles, connective tissues, and fascia start developing well before that. These systems are deeply influenced by how a horse moves, not just how much they move. Poor posture and compensatory movement patterns, even in a pasture setting, can stress and strain tendons and ligaments far more than controlled, mindful, well-guided training under saddle or in-hand work.

Contrary to popular belief, letting a young horse “just grow up in the field” doesn’t mean they’re growing up in balance. Without thoughtful movement and training, many young horses develop asymmetrical muscle patterns, tight fascia, and chronic tension that follows them for life. And much of this is invisible until issues start to surface under saddle.

🐎 How the Body Really Works: The Skeleton Doesn't Move Itself

Let’s take a moment to understand what truly supports and moves a horse’s body.

• Muscles are the primary engines of movement. They contract and pull on bones to create motion.

• Tendons connect muscles to bones. They transmit the force created by muscles to allow the skeleton to move.

• Ligaments connect bone to bone. They provide stability and help prevent unwanted or excessive motion in joints.

• Fascia is an often-overlooked connective tissue that weaves through the entire body. It wraps around muscles, organs, and even penetrates them, creating a vast web of support and tension management throughout the horse’s body.

These systems form a tensegrity structure, where tension and compression balance each other. The bones are not load-bearing in isolation—they are suspended and stabilized by the surrounding soft tissues. That means if those tissues are imbalanced or under chronic tension, the entire posture and function of the skeleton is affected.

👉 The skeleton can only move as well as the soft tissue allows it to. So training isn’t just about riding—it’s about teaching the soft tissue system to support movement in healthy, functional ways.

Dissections Tell the Story—But Be Careful What Story You Read

Many equine dissections used to support “no work until 5 or 6” are conducted on racehorses or horses trained under significant tension and poor posture. These horses are often pushed hard, fast, and without consideration for how their bodies are actually functioning biomechanically. The results show breakdown, yes—but not because they were started young. Rather, they were started wrong.

When a horse is taught how to carry themselves properly, develop self-carriage, and move with correct biomechanics from the beginning, they are less likely to suffer breakdowns. We’re not talking about intensive work—we’re talking about gradual conditioning, correct movement, and postural awareness from the inside out.

Tension Isn’t Just Mental—It’s Physical

Tension isn’t just a feeling. It’s something the body stores. Tight muscles can tug on tendons. Fascia can become adhered and rigid. Compensation patterns lead to strain. When a horse is allowed to live or train in poor posture—no matter their age—they are putting more strain on their developing body than if they were given mindful, appropriate training early on.

Whether a horse is started at 2 or at 6, if they are moving under tension and imbalance, the risk to their body is the same—or worse, because older horses can be harder to “rewire.” The earlier we begin helping them find balance and strength, the better prepared they’ll be to carry weight, learn new movements, and remain sound in the long term.

Building Strength is a Journey, Not a Shortcut

Training isn’t just about riding—it’s about progressively conditioning your horse’s body and mind. Strength doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing things well. And just like with humans, muscles need time to grow, adapt, and align with the skeleton to support healthy movement.

But just as importantly, horses need to learn how to carry themselves emotionally. You can't bribe a horse into true confidence with carrots or pressure them into softness with gadgets. You have to teach them—how to deal with discomfort, confusion, and new challenges.

The Dance Comes After the Messy Middle

In the beginning, it’s often not graceful. You ask something, and they resist. You guide, they question. But through this back and forth, you’re teaching your horse how to think, not just how to move. You’re guiding them to make better choices with their body, with their emotions, and in their relationship with you.

When done with fairness, clarity, and consistency, this becomes more than training—it becomes a conversation. And that’s when the true beauty happens. It becomes a dance. Not one of dominance or submission, but of mutual understanding.

Conclusion: It’s Not About the Age—It’s About the Approach

So yes, I start training my horses at 2. But not because I’m trying to race the clock. I do it because I believe in building horses from the inside out—physically, emotionally, and mentally. The key is how we train, not when we train.

If we focus on balance over power, posture over the sport

, and connection over control, we create horses that can carry themselves—and us—with strength, softness, and soundness for years to come.