Do you always turn away after breaking ??

Toffee_monster

Toffee_monster

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Slightly different as I drive rather than ride but I'm sure the same principle applies.

Harry is 4 in six weeks and has been broken in to drive for around 14 weeks now. We usually drive twice a week round the villages, and have done a few schooling sessions. He has taken to work lovely and is a real trier, works nicely from behind, is nice and supple and starting well towards a nice outline

Before I bought him back in September he had had good handling (due to being orphaned at 6 weeks) but only basic groundwork. He has been a pleasure to work with and we've enjoyed every minute together, but this week I've noticed him not seeming so keen.
He seems a little lethargic now he's been out 24/7 again, he was very keen when he was in at night. He didn't want to be tacked up today and was very spooky out in the village (our short 7 minute drive) which is very unusual for him

I am very much of the mindset that says keep them working lightly rather than turning away but seeing him today makes me a little unsure. We are aiming towards our first basic driven show at the end of July so I'm sure if I turned him away now for a month it wouldn't do any harm, might even do him good, then bring him back to work at the start of July. The problem I have is that he is a little welsh pony and whilst I've struggled putting weight on him, the spring grass is through and he is starting to chunk up.

Any thoughts guys, what would you do in my shoes ?
 
I was going to keep my 4yr old 'ticking' over but because his bum shot up again I decided to turn him out for another 3 months - back into work this weekend and I can not wait.
 
Depends on the horse but I usually like to spend a few weeks on them at 3yrs, get them backed and then turn them away for a year and bring them back at 4. Usually find that it's then not all so much of a shock at 4, but they still get enough time to just be babies. Also if you are going to have problems it's sometimes easier to have them when theyre a bit smaller at 3 ha!
 
dont tend to turn away as i think if it needs to sit around and think about it then really it shouldnt have been backed at that time in the first place, no point doing the same job twice. how ever i have no problem with giving them time away from work to potter about my 11 year old had the winter off... he hasnt had it off before but i didnt have a saddle and he went barefoot so i thought i would give him it off and he has come back better to work and is a lot looser through his back as he had physio then went on holiday as he has back problems and he isnt reacting at all :) what about getting a physio out to give him the once over could have twisted something buggering about in the field or anything wont do any harm :)
 
I think they tell you if they need a break and yours sounds like he is I would give three weeks then do a quick recap ie don't just put him back In the carriage and start again .
Alternatively you could play with the work schedule to see if that helps more long riening or lunging days slightly less driven or a day off every third day instead of every sixth.
 
Toffee_monster said:
He seems a little lethargic now he's been out 24/7 again, he was very keen when he was in at night. He didn't want to be tacked up today and was very spooky out in the village (our short 7 minute drive) which is very unusual for him

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Any thoughts guys, what would you do in my shoes ?
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I'd try giving him magnesium. The spring grass is very low in it, which can cause the spooky behaviour and can also affect muscle usage and nerves. He may simply be magnesium deficient. Calmers will do but they are expensive. You'll find mag ox on eBay, if he's a little pony then 10g a day will be plenty and it's a safe mineral to feed, they pee away what they don't need. It may also help keep his waistline, it's used to treat human type II diabetics because of its role in insulin regulation.
 
Thanks all, he is not in any way a spooky pony so today's spooks would honestly be nothing to most people, but I noticed it As its very different to his usual chilled out confident self, almost that I knew something was not right and wanted to take his straight home. He does have pink powder daily which contains mag ox so i hope that part is covered.

The trouble I am having with his weight is his neck, he is quite a weedy thing in all apart from that. I am just so constantly worried about laminitis :( the one thing I am paranoid about although I've never had a problem with it

He has worried me a little today, the first time since I've owned him, poor little lad. Will see how he is tomorrow :(
 
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