Could someone please explain?

[OpalFruits]

I was just wondering why some horses are backed and then turned away for a year or however long it was? I'm not being critical just genuinely interested

Thanks!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Some really benefit from a period of just chilling and absorbing what they've learnt. Some are born broke and take to work like it's just the norm, some feel very green and once they learn to walk, trot and canter would have a mini breakdown if you didn't give them a break to grow up a bit!

 

[OpalFruits]

Ah I see thank you!

 

[Lippyx]

I was just about to ask the same thing. One of the girls at the yard just backed her horse, and was asking me if she should turn him away for a few months after summer? I wasnt sure what to suggest (having not really seen him being ridden).

I am looking at getting a backed youngster (4 or 5 yr old) but how would I know if I have to turn him/her away? Is it a case of see how they take to it, and if they start getting "stale" and bored, turn them away? If so, how long for?

Sorry for naivity, but I would like to know what different people would do?

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

It just (to me) depends on how well they're taking their work. For a stale youngster hacking for 6 months can switch them back on like any horse. For a tense youngster who starts to mentally block any questions you ask and gets spooky or arguementitive, a 6 month break in the field over winter can do the world of good and they come back in with a far better attitude to work. A horse who stays enthusiastic and is still trying to answer every question you ask is one that imo doesn't need turning away and is fine to carry on it's education. So it just depends on the horse in question.

 

[Queenofdiamonds]

You don't just turn youngsters away either. Sometimes an older horse can benefit from being turned away just to be a horse again!

 

[paigejackson123]

my 3 year old welsh section D mare was turned out about a month ago now for her summer hols! she took to her ridden work better than i could of ever asked, she loves her work! so she is now turned out for her hols, but still comes in everyday for a pampa and a hack every now and then.. then goes back out, she didnt really need turning away but i wanted her to have a chill! i also let my boy whos a tb have a chill in the winter, i dont do as much with him in the winter.. he will have a little brake and a chill, it keeps him carmer! every horse is different though, what works for 1 may not work for the other, but my 2 are really happy like this!

 

[Lippyx]

Thanks, all makes perfect sense! I know it would be different for each horse, but all answers are good ones, and hopefully it'll help me when I get a new horse!

Tx

 

[AbbeyandApache1]

My pony apache had last winter off and came back into work this spring- it meant he had the chance to grow up a little more and was less green, more responsive and better to ride.. I would really recommend the process to anyone who has a young horse who has a green horse who needs a bit of maturing... xx

 

[JellyBeanSkittle]

Queenofdiamonds:

Tell that to my boy.. Gave him the winter off and he still doesn't want to come back to work! Lol!