Giving 4 year old a break?

Slightlyconfused said:
I would wait till December /Jan time for time off.

Sisters 4 year old had time off then apart from going to in hand walks with the dogs in the woods at the weekend. Her yard is next to it.

She drives trucks, December is one of the busy times so she wi continue to give him that time off each year. Plus he lives out and no school so it works.

Having lost a few horses to laminitis I wouldn't give him time off now. Not with the rain shine weather we re having.
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I have been riding mine more due to this spring like weather as one is definitely looking too well.
 
Just for a different point of view... I never found that mine came back better for a break any of the times and instead just got bored and destructive so don't feel worried that you have to give him time off.

Instead a break could be a couple of weeks of hacking or long reining etc, rather than no work at all.
 
he looks great. i wouldn't be overly concerned about his weight, he will undoubtedly grow and go a bit scraggy soon. personally, i would keep the work very light and give him plenty of breaks - you are in it for the long term - that means taking your time and not rushing young minds and limbs
 
Found this a good read. I have a 4yr old mare that’s been in ridden work since February, only light hacking with the week short session in the school.

Kind of feel we’ve hit a bit of a ‘block wall’ (not naughty, she’s just suddenly switched off) and even though she’s been getting a week off every 3 weeks I’m going to give her a month in the field. She’s out on her own (with friends all around) with a small flock of sheep so touch wood, grass isn’t really a issue and if anything I’ll probably have to give her hay.

Might be season related too but think the break will do us both good.
 
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