Dear Martha,
I have just bought a new 15 month old colt. He hasn’t been gelded yet, but he will be within the next two months. He looks older than he is because he’s 14’3 hands tall.

Is it too early to start slow working him—riding him? I do ground work with him every day, and he’s used to being saddled. I’ve sat on him several times, but I worry about riding him too early. I have a lightweight saddle, and I weigh about 120 lbs.
He’s going to be a big horse; he’s big boned.
Please, advise.
Megan M.

Dear Megan,
I definitely think he’s too young (age-wise) to be riding. Just keep doing your ground work and be patient. Wait until he’s a 2 yr. old before you start riding him. He may look mature but his bones are still young and growing and you don’t want to stress them at too early an age. Doing so might leave you with soundness problems later on in his life that you can prevent by waiting for him to mature.
Martha Wright