Bringing on a youngster

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Redsox

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I recently purchased a three year old and would like some advice on how much work I should be doing with him. At the moment I ride/lunge in the field for about 20-30 minutes or hack out (mostly walking) for about 40 mins. I try to do something with him every day; whether its formal (lunging/riding) or in-hand work - I don't want to over do it or tire him out (don't want to fuss too much either!!) I know each horse is am individual, but is there a general rule of thumb (so to speak)? It's been a while since I had a youngster.. Many thanks
 
What type is he? We are all terribly keen on photos here ( nosey)

Some three years olds are very immature and still terribly babyish, others are much stronger and mentally mature. Also there is a huge difference between a just three year old and one turning four.

It so much depends on his type, how he is kept etc, etc, and of course, you know your own horse best of all, so will gauge how much work he can do. I think that if he is lunging happily then I'd leave that for now, lesson learned and all that.
 
Thanks - I bought him from a racing yard (he was just too laid back and lovely with it!) so sure exactly how long he's been broken - think his training has been intermittent... very keen to learn though, hence it would be easy to overdo.

ps. How do I attach a picture?
 
If he turned three this year I'd say that's quite alot of work for him and personally wouldn't up it anymore as he probably still has some growing to do. Personally I wouldn't work him as much.

If he is three soon to be four then that workload is fine. You'll soon get to know your own horse and will know when he feels he can do a bit more (within reason) and when you should stop rather than asking too much.
 
Didn't realise he was a TB, I assumed he'd only recently been backed. In that case he's probably used to working so you're probably alright to continue as you are now.

To attach a picture: Do you have photobucket? (It is free to join)
If so upload a picture to that and then copy and past the link from there into a message on here. If not I don't know! Ask somone else!
 
Nice horse!! I have a similar case, a mare out of training but she is 8
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Personally I would work a 3yo very gently, like only ride / lunge for max 20 mins a day. And I wouldnt be hacking for more than 20 mins either. Purely because I think short and sweet is best and since he'll still be finding it difficult to balance etc. so it's hard work for a baby.

It's really up to you though of course, he's your horse and you know him!
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He looks like a really nice type in your pic!
 
He's gorgeous!! Lots of long reining and hacking tbh at that age. Dont like lunging young horses much, bones and joints cant take it. But get him seeing as much as possible, introduce him to poles on the floor, spooky things to be led past etc, and only work him 4/5 times a week, give him a couple of days of being a horse in the field
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He is lovely, hope you have lots of fun with him!
 
I think it pays to take it slowly...I wouldn't be doing any more than you are, and would concentrate on educating him mentally rather than physically working him. I think that horses have a longer working life if they begin it gently.
You could do long reining, pole work, travelling practice, bandage practice, spook training, voice commands, etc rather than more riding.
Nice horse though, you sound very happy with him.
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I have a 3 year old Selle Francais that I have just started.
I sit on her and walk round the school a couple of times per week for 10 mins, 15 at the very most and have just introduced a few strides of trot.
I also long rein her for 15-20mins a couple of times per week and lunge maybe once for 5 mins. I also lead her out on bridle ways in hand and long rein her round our gallops she also goes out to inhand shows once a month or so. It sounds like a lot but each session is really only 10-15mins and she lives out most of the time.
This suits my horse and she seesm to be thriving on it. for any 3 year old even a TB I would stick to a similar schedule but I must say I am not the most experienced person with youngsters on this site.
He looks lovely BTW and look forward to seeing his progression
 
My little hairy cob is 3 this month and at the moment he is worked on a line - lunging using the whole school not a circle for 5 minutes trotting then ridden for 10 - 15 mins (mainly walk) twice a week. He has just done his first hack - again trotted for 5 mins first them out for no more than 15 mins walk with a short trot. Intend to slowly build this up over next three months to up to 30 mins.

He also does a 15 - 20 min session of long reining/ground work and twice a month does 5 mins going over a pole which he really enjoys.

He also goes out to shows every other week at the moment.

I find he is better for doing 3 /4 sessions a week with a day inbetween to rest and think about what he has learnt rather than do a session every day. I also avoid doing the same things in two sessions - again I find him better for it, but this may be just him.
 
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