CC please! Youngster ready for restarting (slowly of course?!)

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Booga22

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Hi All - as the title really. My mare is rising 4 (in April) and was backed and lightly ridden away last autumn (Oct/Nov) and then turned away again. She is a reg Newfie and has grown quite a bit in the last few months.
I had hoped to reback her again sometime next month/April and get her out on little hacks in conjunction with long reining as she needs to build her hind up as she is lacking muscle there obviously. She currently goes out in hand and loves it and was very brave when I took her out last November.
However! My farrier has suggested she have another 12 months off as still some growing to do - so I am after as many opinions as possible please? I do trust my farrier and he has not said DO NOT do it..... would just be interested in honest and helpful opinions? She is having her teeth and back 'done' next couple weeks and the vet is going to give her an MOT soon too, so.....what do you think??
(Not great pics but I'm at work....!!)

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As a 4 year old she of course will still be growing, no reason to not start some easy work as you have suggested it will help her to build up muscle and also help stop her getting too fat which NF ponies can do very easily, you then end up starving them if you are not careful.

A MOT before is a great idea, the vet check should put your mind at rest.

The other thing is NF ponies are generally very bright, quick to learn and thrive on activity both physical and mental, if bored they can become naughty and start to amuse themselves:eek:

The photo was not there.
 
The other thing is NF ponies are generally very bright, quick to learn and thrive on activity both physical and mental, if bored they can become naughty and start to amuse themselves:eek:

The photo was not there.[/QUOTE]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=4586&pictureid=15286
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/picture.php?albumid=4586&pictureid=15280

I hope these work - I'm new to uploading pics as you can tell!

Totally agree about them being bright and experts at getting in to trouble if not kept occupied....very crafty little ponies!
 
She is a lovely pony, a little weak behind but that would be her age, her back looks good and strong, I would be getting on with her before she gets up to too much mischief.
All the NFs I have had loved work and lived to jump with really ability and boldness.
 
I'd get her out doing some nice steady hacks.

My mare was backed at the same sort of age, then turned away. I bought her in the March before she turned 4 and spent spring and summer just hacking out steadily building strength and fitness and getting her used to the sights and sounds.

Started with just half hour walking hacks and built up the time and distance. Mainly just walked as it is all lanes round our way, but we do have lots of hills. Eventually built up to some canters in suitable spaces so that she was used to cantering under saddle on hacks too.

We also made sure she got used to going out in different sized groups, either in front or behind and on her own.

She enjoyed getting out and about and it was great for our relationship. We started doing schooling properly in Autumn.
 
Thank you Kat & Be positive. We have a variety of hills where we are whichi am hoping to use to try and improve the hind end as she is definatley weaker there.
We are also lucky to be on the Somerset levels so plenty of off-road riding too, starting with a nice block which takes 40 minutes so would be nice to aim in a while. She has been down there and other droves in hand and is getting more and more confident and has started to find her feet on the varying terrain.
She is already finding too many ways to cause 'problems' bless her so anything to keep her brain busy would be a plus!
I am looking to go out with one other and then as you say, increase and vary the number of other neddies so she gets used to that too, and hopefully have some fun with Summer hacking.
I had another (mental!) newfie for 14 years and she kept me on my toes (or my head, bum if I was lucky enough to rotate that far!) the whole time!!!
 
I'd crack on too.

Daughter has been riding one (who looks just like yours) for around 8 months, she is now rising 5 & went to her first showX on Sunday & went fab! She gets bored easy & so owner tries to keep her busy or she gets up to no good! First bs show with her next week & like someone else said, they love to jump!

Daughter has rode a few nf youngsters over the past few years & they never cease to amaze me how willing they are & how quick they learn.

Have fun :D
 
When I was lucky enough to keep my horse at home (before parents retired and downsized - bad parents :() I bought a NF filly as a companion. We broke her in at 3 as she would of been a complete nightmare if she'd got any bigger and brainer. (friend did the riding as I'm to big) She was an absolute thug, into everything, we took out to shows inhand from a yearling. She was far to brainy for her own good. I swear to this day that if she'd been bigger I'd of kept her rather than the horse she was a companion for. You know your horse so only you can make the decision.

Just out of interest why does your farrier not think you should ? is it a mental or physical reason ?
 
Personally I hate it when people back three year olds. What was done to your mare last is is what should be happening now. Anyway what's done is done but you should be aware that the spine is the very last place that finishes growing at 6!

People are in such a hurry these days!

My rising five year old is hacking out with a couple solos there now and I am slowly bringing him on.
 
[QUOTE=Tinap555;

"went to her first showX on Sunday & went fab! She gets bored easy & so owner tries to keep her busy or she gets up to no good! First bs show with her next week & like someone else said, they love to jump! "

That's excellent! I put a raised pole out for her to step over and use her hind end....next thing I knew she was 3ft up in the air! My last girlie had no problme keeping up with huge warmbloods jumping and even matching their strides in the combinations - they are just sooo much fun!
 
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