| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| FireLight |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 11:01:26 AM
I have a 5 year old that was started at 4 and has been lightly hacked and schooled for the past year. We do not have a school and the field we use is now too slippy. Our hacking is fantastic in summer but come winter it is very slippy and muddy. My boy has started to get very upset and anxious when the ground is slippy and if I push him a little more in his training. With this in mind and the inconsistent riding due to weather, less daylight would it be detrimental to turn him away for a couple of months. He comes in at night so I would carry on with his groundwork/manners daily. I am not in any rush with him as he is with me for life and I want him as my happy hacker and best friend. Thanks in advance for any replies. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kate maciver |
Posted - 10 Dec 2014 : 3:52:44 PM
Our youngster was first backed at 5, then 6 then 7 due to various reasons. This year age 7 has been out for a few hacks, in the trailer for a hack away, a wee bit schooling and now due to lack of time is turned away again. Each time he has been started again he has been the same as the first time, cool as a cucumber, maybe we are just lucky with him but I do think its no bad thing for them to be a bit older before doing much. |
| Ari |
Posted - 09 Dec 2014 : 5:54:12 PM
My first youngster was when I was 12, could have been a disaster wasn't and learnt a lot. Next was age 25, didn't give it a thought just got on and went as you do at that age and she was my hacking pal for over 25 years My daughter started Ari and I got on him for the first time when he was 5 and me a terrified 50. Best thing I ever did and I'm still learning, horse are fabulous. |
| FireLight |
Posted - 09 Dec 2014 : 08:56:04 AM
As always you all have very positive and sensible advice. I worried about taking on my first youngster at 47 but thought if I didn't do it now I would always regret it. My other arabs have all been older and have given me so much confidence. I want Pip to be a happy little boy with no pressure on him. I am not competitive and haven't got any major goals in mind except to enjoy Pip's company and he to enjoy mine. I will stay in both of our comfort zones until the weather and ground picks up and then slowly increase our hacks. |
| TAE |
Posted - 09 Dec 2014 : 07:47:47 AM
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. My boy has had several long breaks of a few months since he was backed. Apart from being a bit fat and unfit you wouldn't have though he'd had a day off when I started riding again. OK so we're not out winning everything but I have a happy well adjusted friend. One of the beautiful things about arabs is that many have incredible memories and can remember what you have done for months and a good long think can help them work out things that they haven't understood, so that they come back better mentally, if not very fit. |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 8:02:19 PM
I also think just do what you can as and when, much of our hacking is on grass and mud and in winter it can get bad Arabi hates it and his 9 he wont trot or canter if its too slippy, so I do what I can if he has 3 days off in one week it wont kill him, our school often gets flooded and the surface is not great so we also have to make do with that, I wouldnt worry too much you can onlly work with what you have I dream of having an indoor school and surfaced hacking one day I might get it |
| Ari |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 7:18:14 PM
Plenty of good advice already and you are doing him proud. I would still do little rides in his comfort zone when you get the chance and like you say ground work is great. He won't forget what he has learnt and sometimes a break can do the world of good if he's getting a bit worried about the mud and slippy going. I would still tack him up now and again and maybe walking him out in hand in the mud will give him the bit of confidence he needs.
You do right to take it steady some horses take time to get used to unsure footing, I ride on moorland and my old girl when younger used to be very unhappy if her feet weren't on good ground and it's not a nice experience but she got over it. Thankfully (as I am much older) the boy I have now just concentrates and picks his way but his big brave Highland pal can get worried so you are not alone.
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| Pasch |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 6:05:10 PM
Good advice from others, I agree,do what you can when you can and don't worry too much about it,it's your first youngster so no wonder you are nervous,I certainly would be!But since you have the luxury of time I think you can do just what makes you and him comfortable until weather gets better.He won't forget what he learnt until now plus he's been started at a good age and he should be mature enough. |
| FireLight |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 6:04:57 PM
Thanks for all your advice, I feel a lot better about not riding as much through the worst of the weather. I think I will try to do my steady hack when I can and start to do some more work in the Spring. He has such a lovely nature I want to treasure that. I feel very lucky to own him and want to do the best by him at all times. |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 4:44:14 PM
It sounds like you're doing fine with him. Don't worry about "just" using common sense - your approach sounds perfect! I agree that a couple of months off will be fine but if you can get out on your safe hack occasionally that would be good - it's OUR definition of "inconsistent" not HIS!
I also use a common sense approach, for example Chips as a four year old used to get excited and leap into trot when out with another horse so I got over that without making any fuss by asking my hacking companion to give me a sign when she was going into trot so I could ask Chips to trot for a stride or so before his companion trotted......not the traditional way to do it but he soon decided trotting wasn't so exciting.
Caryn |
| FireLight |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 1:03:19 PM
He is my first youngster so I have just used common sense so far but you read so much about the right and wrong way the more you progress. I thought about riding him a couple of times a month on his 'comfort zone' ride but worried about being inconsistent. He isn't happy with 'big' traffic yet so I pick and choose my roadwork, but then think that I am avoiding the issue rather than confronting it but I don't want him to lose his confidence and would rather build it slowly when he is more mentally mature. I do think youngsters are a huge responsibility. |
| sab2 |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 1:01:01 PM
I agree with Glo , just ride him as and when you can over winter weather and ground permitting , best of both worlds |
| glo |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 12:53:14 PM
Just ride him on the days that suit you, so he's half turned away, say around the block, personally I don t like to turn away completely, as one day you will have to get on him again, do as little as you can with out him going backwards. If you can get away with 2 or 3 times a month, it just keeps everything ticking over. |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 12:09:22 PM
Lucky boy to be with you Firelight, why worry him now when you have years together. As you said you bring him in, carry on with groundwork and manners so I could not see a problem. And as Arachnid said, go with your instincts! |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 08 Dec 2014 : 11:43:00 AM
I've got a five year old too so I know exactly what you mean! I didn't ride mine on Sat because the hunt were out and hes been going SOOO nicely I didn't want to upset him when I knew he might not like it. I'd say go with your instinct, give him a rest - best to set them up for success! |
