Highland Mountain Ranch

Good morning Whatcom County horse folks!

I just wanted to jump on here and let everyone know if you are finding yourself needing help evacuating horses and small livestock from flood waters please please please do not hesitate to give me a buzz! I dont have room for temp boarding but i can certainly help with transportation and other resources.
Times are tough and Christmas season is here but you are not in this alone, we are here to help!🐴🎄❤️💚

Well said Sara!🙌🏽

📣 Myth vs. Science: When to Start Young Horses Under Saddle

Many folks say: “A horse shouldn’t be ridden until age 6+.” That idea sounds safe—but science says it’s not optimal. Responsible work starting around 2 years old helps build a sturdier, healthier horse, not a broken one. Here’s how:

What Research Shows
• Young, moderate exercise helps bones, cartilage, tendons & ligaments adapt during growth. If you wait too long, certain developmental windows close and gains are harder (or impossible) to make.

 https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/breaking-horses-not-bones-properly-raising-young-horses-avoid-costly-injuries

• Horses that enter race training at 2 tend on average to have greater earnings and longer racing careers, compared to those delayed. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7916178/

• Early exercise (pasture access, short high-impact bursts) reduces lameness risk versus horses kept stalled or idle. 

https://www.producer.com/livestock/growth-plates-are-instrumental-in-shaping-a-horses-life/

• Full skeletal maturity (especially in spine/neck) might not happen till ~6 years, but many of the superficial or limb growth plates fuse much earlier—making moderate, balanced training feasible well before “6 years old.” 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7916178/

What “Responsible Early Training” Looks Like
• Gradual introduction of weight/rider
• Lots of turnout / pasture time so horse moves naturally
• Avoiding constant hard work until the horse has had time to strengthen (bones, joints, supporting structures)
• Monitoring recovery & not overloading
• Working with a vet / trainer who understands growth & individual variation

Science-Backed Articles & Studies
1. Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits (PMC) — shows benefits of starting 2 yrs old in controlled/race training. 

2. Breaking Horses Not Bones: Properly Raising Young Horses to Avoid Costly Injuries (Mississippi State University Extension) — compares starting early vs waiting, effects on lameness, bone/cartilage health. 

3. Growth plates & Equine Bone Maturity (Jessica E. Black) — anatomy & timeline of growth plate fusion. 

Bottom Line

Waiting until 6 in hopes of “full maturity” may be well-intended, but you lose developmental opportunities. If done well, starting around 2 builds strength, resilience, and lowers risk of breakdown later. My recommendation: rethink the “wait till 6” rule. Science wants you to work smart early, not just wait.

Hey Whatcom horse peeps!

Just wanted to pop on here and let everyone know my boarding spots are currently FULL, you can get on my waitlist if you wish to move in and I’ll work down the line once something becomes available.

Secondly training spots are FULL. Cattle roundup spot is FILLED.

Third, any lessons will be prioritized if you have a horse of your own you’ll be riding. Otherwise my books are full.

Next opening for training will be Spring of 2026! Hope you all have a great rest of the year!

Happy trails!
-Bailey🤠

I have a stall with a run opening up for February 1st here at Highland Mountain Ranch located in Bellingham off Mount Baker highway.
We’re a small barn, pretty low key type people and horses.

Looking for someone who likes group rides, trail rides, laid back, not interested in drama with a well mannered horse to add to our crew!

Group ride nights happen Monday-Thursday from 6-9pm to help encourage folks to continue working and riding their horses throughout the winter.

Can offer partial care or full care🐎

Contact us today to schedule a tour!😊