Great questions that I need to answer

The following questions are the result of some questions that a friend listed on her blog about her 2 year old. Although I'm in a bit of a different situation due to Tex's size and health situation (being a 2 year-old in a 1 year old body due to malnutrition), these are all questions that I will have to consider in the near future as he continues to grow.

When should I begin trying to sit on Tex's back? I have already put a leg over him while sitting on the fence, but nothing more. I'm thinking that I'll wait until he reaches around 700 pounds before actually sitting on him. What is the percentage of a horse's body weight that they can safely carry?

Tex's size is a major hold back in his training "under saddle." Most people begin riding horses at 2 years old, but I knew when I took Tex that riding him would not be something we could do for a while. I think that he MAY be big enough to ride within the next 6 months to a year. However, I consider it a blessing in disguise that he cannot be ridden yet- it forces me to not skip the training steps on the ground that he so greatly needs. I have created quite a long list of things to teach Tex before he is ready to ride, things that will carry over into his riding career and long into his life to make him a pleasant horse for everyone. These include picking up feet, accepting scary things, lunging at a walk, trot, and lope, changing speeds as per my verbal commands, sending (I point and he walks in the direction I point), loading in the trailer, crossing water, and moving his body in response to my body language, to name a few. Luckily, mentally, Tex is a strong 2 year old, willing to learn, and able to have a longer attention span than a 1 year old, which means we can do longer lessons.

The friend's blog said that horses will continue to grow until they are 6 years old. I don't expect Tex to grow to his full genetic potential, which should be small anyway. The breeder told me that Tex's dam (mother) is only around 13.5 hands tall, which is a very small horse! On the other hand, he is already showing that he's going to be quite a stocky horse. Only time will tell!

This picture was sent to me today. My mother-in-law took it last night during Tex's evening feeding. I believe he is starting to look more and more like a 2 year old. Notice that his hips are getting taller than his shoulders in this picture. I will join Tex in Louisiana in TWO days!