'Don't Ride Your Two-Year-Olds'

By Marlene Malcher,
Malcher's Mammoth Mules

Why the rush to ride your young equine, whether you have a horse, donkey or mule? In my opinion, the practice of starting long yearlings under saddle is inhumane and unnecessary. The fact that many breeds hold two-year-old Western Pleasure Futurity's shows no regard for the future soundness of that animal. Equines do not stand up well to this early pressure mentally, physically or both. They may be broken down before they have a chance to reach their potential.

Physically, any equine regardless of what breed, is not ready to carry a rider until at least 3 years old. Full maturity does not occur until at least age five. This is not something new. Ask any equine vet. The bones and muscles of long yearlings and two-year-olds do not have the ability to withstand the weight of a rider for any period of time. I have wondered about the sanity of racing two-year-old thoroughbreds, so it has been difficult to see this kind of mentality invade other breeds and the horse show world.

It deeply grieves me to see two-year-old Pleasure Futurities advertised in Mule magazines, supported and promoted by Show Committees and Sponsors. I also see classified ads that list two-year-old "well-broke'' mules for sale, sometimes including a photo with a 300-lb man on board. The idea of having a well-broke two-year-old is ludicrous. Show committee people need to be informed that riding an animal to that stage of training at that early age is not acceptable. These mule babies are in no way ready to carry that kind of weight or endure that kind of consistent riding at such a young age.

We need to take a lesson in equine anatomy and development. At two years of age, a mule is just going into a big growth spurt. Also, his mental attention span will be very short. A horse may mature slightly faster than a mule at the same age. A donkey will mature even later than a mule. If we are concerned about having an animal that will have a sound future, we will pay close attention to these facts.

A two-year-old, at the most, should only be mounted for short periods of time, just enough to introduce him to this new experience so that it's just another step in his training program. Once this is done, stop and wait until he's physically and mentally ready and capable of carrying weight for any period of time.

Some animals might be ready at three for some steady riding at a light level, others may not be ready until four or even five, depending on their own build and breeding and the size and riding ability of their owner.

While you're waiting for physical and mental signs of growing maturity, there is much that you can do with your yearlings and two-year-olds. Teach them ground manners and to move away from pressure. This is easiest taught on the ground and will make your training time in the saddle much easier for you both. Teach them to tie and stand quietly while you work around them. Work on teaching them to load in a trailer quietly and safely. Teach them to long-line and either drive or lead them on walks, showing them situations or obstacles they may be exposed to once under saddle.

If you have a donkey that you want to ride, remember that they are even slower to mature than a horse or mule and should not be started under saddle until they are three or older. Tests done on miniature donkeys at four and a half years of age showed that their knees were not yet closed, so be cautious of doing serious training with them until they are four or older.

The bottom line is:

• Don't ride your two-year-old;
• Don't support two-year-old Futurities.
• Do express your concerns to shows and show committees.
• Encourage others to go easy on these young prospects before asking them to perform to the ability of an animal with years of experience.

They won't last if they've been started too early. Give them a chance to stay sound and useful into their later years because you waited until they were physically and mentally sound before you started them under saddle.