It is not easy to determine when to debut a young horse. Unfortunately, there is no set formula for deciding when to start showing a horse, especially considering that every animal is an individual and every discipline has its standards and challenges.
We spoke with Congress and World Champion trainer Aaron Moses of Aaron Moses Show Horses to learn his secrets for determining whether a young horse is ready to debut in the show pen.
“Because every horse is an individual, I find it is helpful to ask the same basic questions for each young animal in my program – the unique answers to those questions will help me determine when they’re ready,” Moses explains.
Is Their Mind Ready?
“I will start analyzing a horse’s mind long before we get close to being ready to show. This is a question I begin mulling over the second any animal comes into my program,” Moses admits.
“As soon as I begin working with a horse, I consider how they learn. Are they quick learners? Are they super responsive, or are they the type of horse that wants to test you?”
Moses adds, “Another question I’m always asking is how the horse holds up to pressure. When you ask for more, how do they respond? Do they rise to the challenge, or do they fall apart? Some horses struggle with pressure, especially when they are young. This doesn’t mean they’re bad, but they will likely need more time before you debut.”
Moses says that confidence is the number one mental characteristic he looks for in determining whether a young horse is ready to debut.
“Does the animal know its job, and is it consistent in doing its job? Do I need to hold them together every day, or have they developed a self-carriage where they can hold themselves together for longer?”
He emphasizes, “At a minimum, I want to feel the training is in place, and those last 30 days before a debut, I’m mostly focusing on building confidence. I want a horse to be able to find its way back after making a little mistake. They are bound to make mistakes in the pen, and I can’t have that throw off the ride because it shakes them. The ability to get themselves in and out of trouble is essential when showing because, I admit, I am not perfect, and I need a horse to do their job even when I mess up.”
Is Their Body Ready?
Another critical question, especially for young horses, is whether they can withstand the physical demands of showing.
“Simply put, the horse must be strong enough to do the job you’re asking. If they are physically able to do the job, then you focus on building and maintaining strength and keeping them healthy. This is why having a great veterinary and farrier team ensures the animal can do the work you’re asking them to perform.”
“You can’t debut a horse that is hurting or unsound. They need to be capable of doing the job independently without you having to hold them together for every step. They’re young, so you must do something, but you shouldn’t have to carry them around the arena.”
Moses admits, “I have some horses that are great when fresh and fall apart when tired. Those horses are the ones who show us they’re capable of performing the discipline, but they’re just not strong enough yet. You must ensure their strength catches up with their ability before you put them in the pen.”
Despite all the chatter about the size of a horse, Moses has found that height doesn’t necessarily equal strength. “You need to determine whether the horse is small because they are physically immature or if this is just their genetic size. Sometimes, the bigger horses have a harder time because they carry around a bigger frame, and it takes a lot more strength to carry a ride and stay in the frame for discipline. You want a horse as close to physically mature as possible for the specific animal you’re dealing with.”
Have They Hauled Out Before?
Moses laughs, “I would not consider debuting a horse that hasn’t been hauled and is comfortable with that environment. If a horse hasn’t been off my property yet, it is not ready to debut.”
“Generally, I try to take a horse to two to three shows before showing them. I’m adamant about this because they have to be able to haul, settle, and be ready to focus by the time you are scheduled to show.”
“I use these ‘field trip shows’ to help me develop a plan for that particular animal. If they settle in like a pro, they tell me they’re close to being ready. If they take time to relax and get comfortable in a new place, I know they’ll need more time and experience hauling around before debuting.”
“The reality is that some horses are unbothered by new places while others turn into completely different animals – and you need to know that before you throw them in the pen.”
Can They Fulfill the Requirements of the Class You Intend to Show in?
“I think this is one of the most difficult evaluations as a trainer – not because you won’t know the answer, but because sometimes that answer is hard to swallow.”
“A client sends you their hopes and dreams with these young horses, and sometimes the horse just isn’t going to be able to fulfill the class requirements. Just because they are bred for a specific discipline doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to succeed there.”
Moses continues, “My biggest advice to fellow trainers is to hold to your convictions. It is so important to be honest about what is happening. We trainers feel a lot of pressure to make something happen for the owner, and it seldom goes well if you cave into that.”
“When you try to fit a square peg into a round hole, you will typically just end up with an unhappy customer, dissatisfaction with your job, and the possibility of ruining the horse, which is the biggest tragedy of all.”
“As an owner, when sending a young horse out, it is important to understand that your result isn’t guaranteed – even with the best-bred horse and the most successful trainer. Things change with young horses constantly, and progress isn’t linear.”
He continues, “You must choose your trainer wisely, trust the process, and communicate openly. The reality is that owners must be flexible regarding young ones. If, as an owner, you don’t want flexibility, then you want a broke horse.”
Moses emphasizes, “Just because a horse isn’t suited for a particular class doesn’t mean they can’t have success at a different level or in a different class. Don’t give up on one simply because they aren’t suited for what you planned – you might need to change the plan.”
Have You Selected the Right Place to Debut?
Moses’s final inquiry is one that he believes requires the most strategy.
He admits, “I am notorious for waiting as long as possible to decide where/when to debut a horse. I know everyone wants to know the plan, but I hate to make a plan too early because the consequences are worse than waiting.”
“I’ve found that if you plan too early, you will force a horse to debut when they aren’t ready. I also don’t want to disappoint a client by canceling plans.”
He laughs, “This question consumes me – I think about this all the time with each of the young horses in my string. In truth, I can’t tell you in April whether your horse will debut at the Congress. Generally, I like to think of a horse as a ‘candidate’ for a slot and then confirm the plan when I can be confident the horse belongs there.”
“I wish there were a way to see the future and just build the path to that, but with horses, the second you make a plan, you need to change it. You must remember that they aren’t machines and they need to tell you when they’re ready.”
He concludes, “If you listen to the animal, have a trainer that communicates what the animal is saying, and you’re willing to be flexible with plans to fit the animal’s needs, it’s unlikely you’ll go wrong.”
