Follow on; What do you do with your 3 year olds?

C

Coffee_Bean

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Sorry for the excessive posting today
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Anyway, looking at taking on a just backed 3yo for winter, and wondering realistically what I'd be able to do with him.... he's a 14.1hh ish connie x appolosa type I believe, looks really quite mature for his age really, I'd probably age him at 4 going on 5 if I just met him!!

Just wondering what others are doing with their 3 year olds?

Does everyone wait until 4+ to jump?
 
I would wait until 4+ to jump, even 5 depending on the schooling. With a newly backed 3 year old I would establish some basic flatwork, do a few hacks then turn away for 6 months - a year. That is what we do at my yard.
 
I wouldn't be looking at doing anything with him ridden wise until the spring. Lunge and long rein to your hearts content though, with tack if you want. I also like taking my 'little ones' out for 'walks'. It gets them used to lots of things you might see whilst out hacking like traffic.
 
I hack them gently all winter, but I don't school circles or lunge circles because I think it stresses young joints too much. I would never jump a three year old. However mature he looks his growth plates are still very active and you could crock him forever. I don't believe in turning away, in fact Britain is about the only country where people do.
 
compleately depends on the horses attitude and how he feels.

I do a bit of everything, but slowly and no rush! Then turn away in winter, then crack on in the spring.
 
YO has them backed at 3 and will pop a few poles on them, but won't do any 'proper' jumping (more than one fence) until they're very nearly 4 or 4. He does put them in the jumping lane as foals though (from around 7mths), which I think is a pretty rubbish idea.
 
i would get him hacking and then turn him away but if you want to ride then very gentle, short hacks a few times a week.

however mature he looks, his growth plates still haven't finished forming, anymore than the gangly youngster who is bum high with legs everywhere
 
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From your previous posts I thought you wanted a 16.2 to take to pre-novice. Whats changed?

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Haha yes I still do eventually, but just might have this wee man to play with over winter.... because it looks like my carefully thought out budget is now non existent.
 
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