Should a three year old do this??

[Kerryf]

Echo Rach on the 'still growing', poor girl. No wonder she looks so gangly and messy when jumping

[rach20uk]

They are babies Let them be babies and at least finish growing GRR

Eden being clipped doesnt always mean ridden but if they are ridden it will normally say on an advert

[horsefeed]

Echo, too young to ride but not nessacaily to clip.
I clipped my 2 year old filly to tidy her up and introduce her to clippers. Did clip it all off just her chest and belly.

[horsey123]

omg that is soo too young i only start one the long line at about 3 and not proper ridden work till well 4

[Susan]

Many horses across the Irish Sea would be out hunting.. and sadly owners many around the world think because the horse does, it can and it is OK?

I for one think not.. I did in fact back Flynn at 3 3/4 to 4years and he would be lightly hacked and asked to pop over small log if out on hack.. I did take it steadty but in hindsight he would have had another full year with only ground work done in hand.. he got the winter off again..and came back aged 4 1/2 much better set up.. I so regret it now.. learning more..

Shame for this horse also as it looks like weight carrier, it may well be lumbered with heavy person as well and asked to jump ( by the way I am heavy person) then at 7- years or so.it may show lameness issues! if unlucky and there are many ..of them.. whjat a shame as it looks so genuine..

[xx ponyclubber xx]

nope they will ruin her thy should at least wait till shes about 5,6

[specialsparkle3]

No it bl00dy shouldn't

[lizziee]

I always thought 4 was the minimum age for cubbing and 5 for hunting, and the hunt wouldn't allow horses younger than that out with them? Haven't a clue where I got that thought from, and looks like it's wrong anyway

[Emily+Meg]

Our hunt allows 3 and 4 yr olds out.

I dont think this 3 yr old should be doing so much at a young age. Unfortunately it happens all over. Showjumpers are often jumping at 3 so as to be ready for the 4 yr old classes.

[sarahfox]

Considering 3 year olds arent even allowed to compete under saddle at most shows that I have been to I find it disgusting that they are allowed on the hunt field,cant say it suprises me though,I have never seen any evidence of the horses welfare being a high priority with the hunt.

[indibindi]

No, I have to agree with Sarah there. I go and watch the Boxing day hunt go and some of the horses look so wound up - they cram 60 horses down a cobbled street (usually icey) with 3000 people clapping and cheering in support. Its amazing to watch but the horses must be bloody saints to put up with it...
I am looking for a youngster but I bet she's been sold bless her.

[Emily+Meg]

The hunt doesnt go asking peoples horses ages, so they dont know really how old they are. There is not literature about not allowing ages. I hunt, before and after the ban, and Megs welfare is always top of my list

[gina]

I have never seen any evidence of the horses welfare being a high priority with the hunt.

Here, here Sarah we are prob thinking of the same hunt too.

Meg I've know doubt how you care for your horses, bl00dy fantasicly by the looks, but it dosent change the fact I dont like the hunt.

But live and let live, you do I dont ;D

[sarahfox]

actually gina,you do,its the hunt that doesnt,especially some of the ones near us that are still hunting foxes,as I suspect many others are too.

[hkvevans]

I believe there is a horse in last weeks (or maybe the week b4s) horse ad hound, it was 5, pretty thing and advertised as being used as a hunter hireling for the last 2 yrs. That makes it 3 when it started. I bet they didnt tell the people hiring him/her how old it was! So sad, i dont know why people are in such a rush.