How soon can you ride a horse?

Answer 1

A horse is not done growing until it is about 5 or 6 years old, and it should not be ridden before it is 3 or 4 years old. A horses bones may finish forming by 3 years but they are still soft and need to 'firm' up. Never jump a horse under 4 years old as this will cause problems with the bones and joints later in life. Many people begin riding horses at 18 months or 2 years but this causes a lot of damage to the horse later on. To get a horse fit for riding, you can pony it from another horse or long line it around the farm to build up it's muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.