CHAPTER V 

 TRAINING THE SADDLE HORSE 



The saddle-bred colt should receive much the same 

 training as that suggested for the foal (p. 26). The 

 saddle work, however, should not begin until the 

 colt is at least two years of age, and in most cases 

 it is preferable not to begin the real training until 

 three years old. The reason for this delay is apparent, 

 as the saddle horse is obliged to bear the weight of 

 the rider and, therefore, should be well matured to 

 avoid straining the muscles of the back and the 

 tendons and ligaments of the legs. If the saddle- 

 bred colt seems good enough to make a show horse, 

 and is stout and rugged, the training may begin 

 early, but extra care must be employed to prevent 

 injury. 



When the colt is sufficiently mature to begin the 

 saddle work, he should be taught the uses of the bit 

 much as suggested in bitting the work horse and the 

 coach horse (pp. 56 and 134). As with high-acting 

 horses this is a very important part of the saddle 

 horse's training, and the work should be thoroughly 

 accomplished before mounting. 



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