Advice re work load please??

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Roany-pony

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I could really do with a bit of advice please.
Friend and I were talking about my new horse's work load last night.I would rather not say what was discussed,but would really appreciate peoples opinion on this matter.I am so worried about ruining him at the moment.
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I would like to know what other people would be doing if he was yours.
He is 3 and a 1/2, 4 in September, 15hh(bum high at the mo),quite a stocky little fella.
How much work would you have him in?
What type of work?
Jumping??(If any?)
Here is a picture of him
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Thanks in advance!!
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Very worried and confused of Warwickshire!
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I would have just broken him probably and just doing 3-4 times a week of basic schooling. I personally wouldnt introduce jumping till he was at least 4 so in September time and then not too much (but then im always worried about keeping them sweet!!)
 
still growing so quiet hacking and light schooling is all I would do, in fact I would have expected him to be turned away for the winter and brought back into work during the spring/summer with nothing too demanding until later in the year depending on ground conditions..there may well be many who would disagree though
 
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I would have just broken him probably and just doing 3-4 times a week of basic schooling. I personally wouldnt introduce jumping till he was at least 4 so in September time and then not too much (but then im always worried about keeping them sweet!!)

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Sorry!Forgot to say he is already backed and broken!
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If they are broken at 3 I like the basics covered, then turned away to give them time to absorb it, and realise they can still be horses even if they are ridden - they need to be mentally mature too. It's very difficult to generalise, as each horse is different, but at that age I would not be doing road work, and wouldn't be jumping, tho I usually introduce poles very early on - more so they don't freak out if there are jumps in the school more than anything else! I would probably not be cantering, and the sessions would be short - I find most youngsters have limited attention spans. 3-4 times a week short sessions mostly in a school tho if there is some good off road hacking I would swop that once or twice a week.
 
At that age I would like him to be hacking 3/4 times a week and maybe schooling once a week for a short time. I would be looking to up the work gradually, introducing some schooling out on hacks and maybe including some pole work in the school.
I personally wouldnt start jumping until September but I know a lot of people who would disagree.
Each horse is diffrent and should be treated so, I think they normally give you a good indication of what they are ready for and if they are getting bored.

He is absolutely gorgeous- best of luck with him
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NO JUMPING WHATSOEVER. Hes not old enough. Id just be either schooling him quietly for around 30mins about 3-4 times a week or hacking him out quietly a few times a week or a mixture of both. I wouldnt be galloping him at all, i wouldnt be jumping him. Id just be doing trotting and a bit of cantering but not alot.
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What a cracking, cracking little horse - wow.

Well - to me he looks quite fit, so I wonder if you have been doing quite a bit with him???

However, If he were mine I'd be very happy if he was broken in (I know he is) and working quiety on the flat. Perhaps hacking out a little with a friend to see the sights and sounds etc. Turned away for the majority of the winter and brought back in to light but more serious work in the spring.

Again - he's lovely.
 
Thank you all so much for your advice I really do appreciate it alot.And thank you for all your lovely comments about him!I think I may try a bit of showing in hand this year,so that should be fun!!
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I got by boy at the same age. I did something with him 4-5 times a week, mainly quite hacking, bit of lunging and some schooling nothing to intense. Show him the world, take him to shows without entering anything, take him somewhere different to hack out etc. I did all of this at a young age with my horse and he has turned out to be very chilled and easy to take out. P.S He is gorgeous
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