omg!!!

Agreed. I definately do not support asking a 4 month old filly to jump things like that, a lot could go wrong as her balance is still finding itself. But free jumping is a lot different then riding jumps - a lot of well-bred youngsters are put through the chutes just to show future potential. Not foals mind you, but yearlings and two year olds.

I'm kind of iffy on what's ok and what's not, but horses put very similair strain on themselves playing in the pasture, bucking and galloping.

However, a 4 month old filly, no. I really doubt it's putting an enormous strain on her joints, but I'd be terrified of her getting injured out of confusion and lack of proper co-ordination. And those jumps are definately to high for her size. I don't mind seeing an older youngster put through a chute with a small vertical, most of them WAY overjump it anyway out of playfulness, but at least they have the option to choose a comfortable height, not be forced over something half their size.

I won't mention the actual jumping as my opinion mirrors everyone elses that she is way too young AND the jumps are way too big. I have no issue at all with the pic of them trotting her over the groundpoles but the barrels are really pushing it. However, that does speak volumes for the filly on how willing she is. If I was looking for a horse that she fit the description of, I would seriously look at her.

That's terrible. You really should have to pass a test to own a horse.

At least it's not as bad as the CL ad I saw the other week.. they were RIDING a 7 month old filly! "Down the highway" no less (so they said on the ad). That one really made me sick to my stomach.