I've done my share of bringing up 2/coming 3 year olds from the start.  I learned from some "old timers" back in my teens about what we called "gentling in" rather than "natural horsemanship".  Same principles, similar methods.

I introduce to the blanket and saddle in a very calm, peaceful and matter-of-fact manner.  From then on, everything I do is focused on the relationship I have with the horse (going out in about an hour to work with my newest filly).

I've found that the culmination of my relationship is to go on several solo rides...usually start out an hour or so, but build up to 4 or 5 hours...usually early morning when there are fewer riders out...and work on subtle cues and pre-cues to refine our understanding of one another.

Kinda curious from others out there who train or are in the process of building a better horse/human bond...do you solo ride, and does it seem this helps make a better horse?

Best "rounded" horse I had was the one that I broke, and then rode solo most of the time.  He never knew if he was going out alone, meeting a buddy down the road, or getting in the trailer for a trail ride with his pasture mates, and sometimes alone.  He did lots of "road" riding, parades, and of course trails. 

I only wish I had that kind of time to devote to my young horses now, the'd be better rides.

 I have found the same things, I pony my yearling and two year old horses with me. and start riding them as 3 year olds. They are already used to bridges, stream crossing, dead fall logs etc before I ever get on their back. The first summer of riding, I usually let my daughters ride them and follow us up the trail. Not much different than being ponied with out a rider. They just follow the leader. As 4 year olds I take them out for rides by themselves. It helps them to learn to trust me. There is no old trail horse for them to follow across a bridge, cross the mud or push through a group of cows standing on the trail. They have to trust me.

It does wonders for the trust and respect when those horses spend hours with just me

I think we're of the same mindset, Painted.  I don't like to start any saddle work at all until after 3, preferrably 4 if I can stand it, but I like them to already understand what they are to be in it for.

Sassy got such a slow start...stunted because due to the circumstances, she didn't get the greatest in-mare and foal care.  I've been putting some fat on her to help build additional muscle, joint, and bone. 

She's one I may wait a while with and see how she develops physically, but I do like her mind.  We have 6 other "anyone can ride" mounts, so it ain't like I have to have another saddle horse right away.  Two of those, I started myself.  So far, so good.

That's exactly the point. They need to learn what their job is.  When I pony my 2 year olds. I often put a saddle on them. They get used to carrying a saddle down the trail. stirrups flopping,  cinchs squeezing, breast collars and cruppers.  And I do get on my 2 years olds, I just don't ride them any where. I'll just mount and dismount. pull their head around and ask for gives, disengagements etc. But I don't ride them anywhere that would get them tired.

My horses need to learn to pick their feet up. They need to learn to step over a big log, not explode when a forest grouse or wild turkey takes off next to the trail. I think taking them on trail rides,( even as yearlings)  gets them excited about loading in the trailer and heading out. I think I could just pull up, open the trailer doors and open the corral and they would all just go hope in my trailer.  My horses are all tourist, they enjoy a day spent on the trail. They hate being left home.

But as your first post suggest, I see the greatest growth in personal trust develop when I ride them alone. It just happens that as I've gotten older, I've come to terms with not being immortal and have more concerns about riding a rowdy youngster off in a some loney off the beaten path place. So I  do it less often now than I did years ago.

It's funny that this post came up....I just got back from my first solo ride EVER.   I have always been too scared to ride alone.  But ever since I got horses, all I wanted to do was saddle up, ride down the driveway, and around the section which is only about 5 miles.  There's cars, semis, bikes, dogs, culverts, etc.  Even though we're rural, we get traffic, and I was always so scared that my horse would explode and leave me dead in the road.  My mare wasn't too happy about leaving at first, but with some gentle encouragement, she left her frantic buddies at home, and took me on a nice ride.  She focused on ME, and what I wanted. I could go the speed I wanted, without having to worry about other riders. We practiced all sorts of speed transitions, and stopping.  I think it's a good trait for a horse to be able to go solo.  We're going to practice and improve on it.....and hopefully it will increase her confidence and she won't have to be right up the next horse's butt when she's on the trail.

Amanda

Ridingarocky, nothing at all wrong with knowing and staying within your own limitations.  I like riding solo, but I do take precautions at my age...as you say, you become keenly aware of your mortality.  I let someone know the route I'm going and the estimated time I will return, and a "drop dead" (no pun intended) time to send out the search party.

No better training tool than a good long solo ride.  Does a lot for my heart and soul, and my head. 

Riding alone is my preferece, especially now that my life is so hectic. Riding alone gives me the time to think my own thoughts, feel my own emotions.  And when it all gets to be just too much and you need a good cry, who has bigger shoulders than your horse?

Marla

If I ever lost my lovely bride (Cyclone), I would ride solo for the rest of my life.  She is my partner and soulmate, and we ride together because that is what we both love.  When I solo, it is to put a good foundation on a horse, but I would not be able to ride with anyone else again were I on my own.  My preference would be to ride alone until I can't saddle something up again.  Then just get a shovel.