You haven’t met my latest horse. I have to ask her politely to do something, if I had the audacity to whip her I assure you she wouldn’t run (probably break my neck instead!)
She does however run because she loves it. Every time her little hooves hit the grass she is bouncing ready to go.
@MyBreadIsEggy awful isn’t it. I’ve seen horses slip in the field and break legs, one break it’s skull falling over on a bit of wet concrete. Out of 10 on our yard 7 are lame or injured. Nature of the game I suppose.
@alwaysncxx in a normal ridden horse it would usually start about age 2-3 with some basic work on the ground (no riding until 4 for me) I work on getting them used to wearing tack and being comfortable in that, learning voice commands that can later be used when ridden to teach the different aids (so for example to trot, canter and stop!)
My baby horses are exposed to lots of new things, walked out on roads to see traffic and people and also build confidence in the handler. I also work with them in the arena so they learn the commands and to find their own strength and balance first without being ridden. After that I slowly start to lean over them, get on for short periods and then start to teach them the physical aids alongside my voice until they can connect the two and then go from there. My youngest is 7 and only starting to mature mentally now.
A well trained horse needs to be brave, confident and trust the rider. None of this can be achieved by force or bullying and it takes years of training and building strength and muscle to get a good ridden horse. Most top level horses are early teens!
I’ve never seen anyone jump on an unhandled horse and let it bronc to submission although I suppose some idiots probably still do it.
So yes, racing wise I don’t like seeing babies ran so young while the bones and brains are still so underdeveloped. Most thoroughbreds are broken my mid teens and lots of them have ulcers and other problems caused by not being able to be babies long enough iMO.