Breaking in and rest days

[kathantoinette]

Wondering what everyones routines are when breaking in horses with regards to rest days...

Currently breaking in a young Connemara and we are tending toward 5 days work with 2 full days off (which fall at the weekend). The work days aren't intensive, usually a long rein session, ridden down the lane or around the farm, or ridden in the school for maybe 20 minutes. It's going well up to now and he comes back fine on the Monday after the two days off.

Chatting with a friend who hinted that maybe two consecutive days off might be too much time and maybe split it up throughout the week.

What does everyone else do and what generally happens when they are sent away for breaking? How much time do they get off (I realise this will vary between yards). I've never had a young horse before so I pay a freelance person to come and do the ridden work and I do the long reining either on my own or with freelance person. Currently the weekend off works well for her but I could do a long rein session on one of the weekend days.

 

[SEL]

There is credible research showing that 2 separate days off per week - so not consecutive - reduces the ulcer risk in horses. I take that to mean the downtime allows the body and mind to recuperate.

I'd be especially keen for rest days with anything under 6 because muscles, tendons, ligaments all need repair time.

 

[Abacus]

I have a 5 year old (big and green), who has been in work for a year (with a couple of long holidays in the field). I tend to do 2 or 3 days work followed by a day off. I try to keep it varied - over a fortnight he will probably hack 5 times, go in the school 3 times and jump (little) once or twice. I tend only to do one day off at a time, although sometimes he has 2 if it suits me, it doesn't seem to bother him. I don't think they need 2 days off in a row though, when you consider the amount of leisure time compared with actual work, the work isn't that much. Mine live out so they get plenty of field time.

 

[ihatework]

In this very early riding away kind of stage I’d probably opt for 3 days on 1 day off if possible, with 2/3 on days under saddle and 1/3 something without the rider

 

[TheMule]

At 3 or early 4 I typically do 2 days on, 1 day off but that gets flexed around what suits my work schedule and I don’t mind giving them an extra day or 2 off or working them 3 days in a row

 

[dorsetladette]

It sounds like what you are doing is working for you and your horse.

I had a freelancer come 2 days a week and tried to do something with him at least once between her visits meaning he usually did something Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Giving him Wednesday, Friday and Sunday off.

I always give my horses winter off and they come back in the spring absolutely fine. i can't imagine a break of 2 days in a row will be detrimental to your horse in any way.

I've also had horses where they benefitted from short sessions so I've worked with them twice a day for 10 to 15 mins to start with and then increased the sessions gradually. Every horse is different.

 

[New Forests Rock]

My young ponies are always started with one day on, followed by one off, to allow them to process what they have learnt. Not so much a question of physical recovery, but mental as it takes very little in the early days to fry their brains. It literally takes longer to get the kit on than it does to work them

 

[Gloi]

I never really do so much on a day that a day off is needed. I try to do something every day even if it only 5 minutes.

 

[dominobrown]

I like to work on a 4 day cycle.. Day 1: introduce something, Day 2: Exactly the same as day 1 and Day 3: Add on an extra element, Day 4 off. Then repeat..

 

[Melody Grey]

Two days working then a day off for me with youngsters- they’re physically and mentally challenged. I wouldn’t want a breaker working for 5 days continuously, even if the work is varied.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

When i backed ponies years ago we did alternative days. We backed loads and they were going as kids show ponies, never had any issues.

 

[Muddywellies]

There is credible research showing that 2 separate days off per week - so not consecutive - reduces the ulcer risk in horses. I take that to mean the downtime allows the body and mind to recuperate.

I'd be especially keen for rest days with anything under 6 because muscles, tendons, ligaments all need repair time.

THIS

 

[kathantoinette]

Thanks for the feedback guys…much appreciated Especially interesting re the ulcer risk and days off. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

 

[tristars]

Generally I do 3 days a week, Mon wed Fri, mainly because I'm lazy and like some weekend myself

I like the day off for the horse because its not a day off really,quite sure they think about what happened yesterday and wonder what new and interesting thing they might do the next session

I'm in no rush, I take the long route physically aiming for soundness, longevity. Mentally it needs to really needs to sink in permanently, the two things running concurrently, not letting one thing get ahead of another

And I dream up all sorts of little things for them to do to keep it brain stimulating

But I do admire anyone who does a little and often and sticks to it doing thorough job

 

[eggs]

When I had youngsters I tended to do 3 days on and then 2 (or sometimes 3) days rest. They lived out in a mixed herd in a large field. Youngest are now 21 and still sound and in work.