When do you have to start training with an Andalusian horse?

Answer 1

You should start ground work immediately. You can get a colt or filly used to being gently handled immediately after birth, and can start leading them shortly after birth. You should be doing basic groundwork and desensitizing them from an early age so that they are used to being around new things/people and are good at and used to being lead around and things like that. As for riding, you should not start riding an Andalusian until it is 4 or 5 years old. They mature slower than other horse breeds, and should therefore be started no sooner than 4 years of age. They are very emotional horses, and starting them too soon can have lasting emotional effects on them, as well as the fact that their bodies aren't physically ready to bear the weight of a rider until they are at least 4 years old. I suggest starting getting them used to the saddle and tack at around 3 - 3 1/2 years old, then starting light riding at around 4, and starting real training at around 5 - 5 1/2 (depending on the horse and on the level of experience and talent that the rider has).