i know they are different... but I talked to a man that breeds mini donkeys. And he said just as soon as they are weaned he gets them ground driving with a halter and no bit of course all over the yard. Then he puts it away so to speak til they are grown. Altho its donkeys i think thats a good plan for horses, one i practice, not driving, (yet :) but doing elementary horse stuff when they are very young. Trailer loading while it is still fun, obstacles, something they can do while small and curious and unafraid of anything, wear a saddle, I have even had saddle and sidepull on nasi and he is only three. He walks around in his saddle and doesnt even flinch when he sees it coming. Of course it is a real lite treeless. And I put the sidepull on him with no reins a couple of times, then one time I had him do a flex with reins and he acted like "how interesting".
So much better than keeping a horse out in a 40 acre field til grown and then terrifying them by "breaking" them to ride in a day or two through harsh cruel cowboy methods! Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
