Got a 4 year old on trial

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goodtimes

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I've never had a horse on trial before, but I've got a lovely 4 year old on trial for 2 weeks.

What should I be doing with him that's not going to be too much with him being a baby but enough to know if he is right for me?

Thanks in advance.

He is backed, a green but not dreadful. Canter is pants. He has hunted.
 
Depends what you want him for. I wouldn't expect a good canter at 4, they're still finding their balance.

My main aim for a trial would be hacking to see what he's like out, alone and with others (bear in mind his age) and working on improving that canter to see if, with a bit of work, I could get that suitable to what I wanted him for.
 
Treat him as if you had bought him, a trial should be to just make sure he really is the right one not to try and do everything, especially with a 4 year old, do some simple schooling see how well he responds if you ask a little of him without expecting too much. Go out for a few hacks so you meet a variety of challenges but without putting him in a situation where it may all go wrong, aim for a successful outcome to the trial rather than set up the horse to fail.

If you decide not to keep him send him back as soon as you can rather than trying to fix things, you are lucky having the option of a trial, use the time carefully.
 
What has the owner recommended you do in terms of activity?

I would be using the time to more look at this horses attitude than what he can actually do. Nothing can really be sorted in just 2 weeks but hacking out in different situations and seeing how he reacts is very useful. Eg I went to see a couple of 5 year olds with a friend, both had done a bit of BE80, both similar types and still green. YO plumped for the one who tried, and didn't throw his toys out of the pram when not sure. Might not choose or understand what was always asked but demonstrated a pretty chilled out character. He has proved to be the perfect choice for his now owner!
 
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