Is horse riding good physical activity?
Horse riding is good exercise, and so is cleaning stalls (I’m sure you know, since it can be tiring and sweaty work!) But it’s also important to do various types of exercise to benefit all parts of the body. As for your yearling… many people start riding Quarter Horses and their crosses at around 2. I prefer to wait until 3, because this gives them more time for their legs and joints to strengthen, as well as it gies you more time to get the ground work really mastered. This will make you have a much easier start. If you are in a jumping discpline, I’d strongly advise no jumping until they are 5, and this includes free jumping. But there is no reason why you couldn’t show her now in showmanship, as long as she is responsive to you on the ground and knows how to do the proper circles, trot on a leadline, and stand square. This would help her get used to the show atmosphere without putting too much pressure on her to do unsual things. Showing under saddle is simply a matter of when she
