3 year old advice and views

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Amieeajs

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I decided my 3 year old who’s 16h needed something to do, I wanted to wait till he was nearly 4, but with his height and him wanting to do some thing , I have sent him of for braking, he seems to be doing really well
so on his return what do I do,
I’m looking for your opinions to help me what todo, I had lots of advice, e.g chuck him out and start again next year, others general hacking 2-3 a week, I’m just getting my self in a pickle on what to do with him, if he was 4 I would feel better about it but he’s only 3,
Any ideas or advic
 
How strong is he? I have had three year olds who hacked an hour three times a week, but my latest is still gangly at five and he did only 10 to 15 minutes twice a week while he was three because I thought he was too weak to do more but I didn't want him turned away, to keep my own hand in on such a young horse.

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ycbm said:
How strong is he? I have had the year olds who hacked an hour three times a week, but my latest is still gangly at five and he did only 10 to 15 minutes twice a week while he was three because I thought he was too weak to do more but I didn't want him turned away, to keep my own hand in on such a young horse.

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He’s a solid boy built really well doesn’t look like ur normal 3 year old,
 
Then if you are light enough, I would ride him a few times a week, but not for more than half an hour including a walk warmup in a arena, or an hour hack. And not for two days in a row. Building up to that when he comes home, of course.

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There’s little point getting hi backed somewhere else and then turning him away. I would ride him quietly at home for a few weeks- establish walk and trot in the arena, do the local hacking routes with another horse and then, personally, I would put away until next Spring.
 
TheMule said:
There’s little point getting hi backed somewhere else and then turning him away. I would ride him quietly at home for a few weeks- establish walk and trot in the arena, do the local hacking routes with another horse and then, personally, I would put away until next Spring.
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I agree and would add that the reason you sent him away in the first place was to give him 'something to do' which I am guessing means you thought he needed more in his life than he was getting, if you turn him away as soon as he comes back it is defeating the purpose of why he went in the first place, he is going to return fitter, mentally he may be a bit tired but if he has done well he will probably enjoy staying in light work appropriate for his age, physical and mental ability as well as what suits you, it is a good time to be able to give them a day or two off and get back on for a day, it sets them up to have a short break without needing to almost be restarted if for some reason they need some proper time resting.
 
I back mine at 3 and a half, then do one gentle session in the school a week (10min, teaching something new in a short, sweet session) and three days of gentle hacking for about the next 9 months. Then we switch gradually to two sessions in the school and two longer hacks. I find they enjoy getting out and about, and the one session in the school that is fun and ends as soon as they ‘get’ whatever I wanted them to learn, sets them up to enjoy school work and keeps their minds occupied.
 
Lovely thank you everyone, it’s just nice to get some positive response in to what to do, I will let you all know what he’s like when I get him home ? and hopefully be able to hack him out, it’s been a long time since having a Youngster, my current horse was a just backed 4 year old who’s now 22, so yes a long time,
 
My young horse was 3 last summer. She was clearly a bit bored (getting playful and destructive in the field!) so I started walking her out (with another horse for company initially) and did lots of in hand hacking then progressed to long reining. This was fantastic for both of us. I would do this maybe 2 or 3 times a week depending on time and distance etc but it was a great foundation for backing and gently riding away which we did after several weeks with no trouble at all. It is a really lovely time with a young horse so hope you can enjoy! This was us last year calling in to see a friend and learning about 'visiting'!! :) :)

https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn....c24ebc67157a867510326fb222a9&oe=5EEE2D81&dl=1
 
It’s really up you .
I like to teach three years olds and four year olds who are backed to lead from another horse and then get them out without carrying the rider .
It depends on your situation I always got my three year olds backed and taught the basics at home and as soon as I had been on them I got them away to yard for riding away because I think it’s good for them to get away from the familiar to start hacking the when they came home I would ride for a few more weeks and then turn away .
But for most of them that was driven by my time constraints .
 
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