4 year old - What would you do?

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burtie

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My 4 year old Herbie has been super recently, going really well, a few baby high jinks but nothing serious. Anyway he has just had a growth spurt and on Monday was like riding down a ski-slope! He is also really lacking in energy but seems well in himself. I rode him again today after 2 days off and he was really struggling around the arena and still down very downhill. I am tempted to just give him 2 weeks off and let him grow back into himself as I'm sure the lack of energy is just down to the growth spurt but leave his feed at the usual level as he only get alpha-a anyway. He hasn't been worked hard since being backed in January but equally has not had any complete breaks from riding so perhaps now is a good a time as any?
 
As you say, if he hasn't had a holiday since being broken it would be as good a time as any.
I'd probably give him until after Christmas off.
 
i'd give him a few weeks off too, wait until the new year, and see how he goes.

i think they often benefit from some time off to think about what they've learnt! problem is, if they're that way inclined they sometimes come in with a whole raft of new tricks their friends have been teaching them in the field!
 
I think he's trying to tell you it's time for a break. I turned my youngster away for a couple of months at that age and she really benefitted both mentally and physically.
 
I would turn away for a month if you can do this
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QR-I think that is definately the way to go, thanks. I can't completely turn him away as given the recent weather and time of year there isn't anywhere suitable but he can go out all day and chill out for the next few weeks. I was planning to give him most of December off after a show on the 1st anyway, looks like the growth spurt has bought that forward. Also he is off in January to learn jumping so a break now I think will def do him good!
 
I backed Chancer at 30 months - just a walk every other week and doing things like doing up stirrups, leg up, mounting from block etc rather than much ridden work.

At 2 1/2 he went very mouthy and bum up went back to just ground work until he was nearly 3. He is now back in very light work, but I have just given him another five weeks without being ridden as he was again very mouthy and bum up. I have all the time in the world to bring him on.

Now back in his very light work and he does not suffer for having these breaks and takes up where he left off.

If you cannot give a break in the field - I cannot at this time of year, concentrate on some light ground work but more on thinking things - ie moving round poles, over sacks etc than too much physical.

This has worked very well for mine - too much time in the field turns him into bored destructo monster.
 
I gave my four yr old a month off after I got him. He had been through lots of training, experienced many different yards and could do with the break to let him settle and think. I rode him a month later after just doing ground work with him and he was much more relaxed and I believe appreciated the break off....
 
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