help me decide

[diggerbez]

I have 4 year old who was broken in feb and is now going very nicely on flat and started jumping and is going nicely with that too. he can still be a bit tense when i first get on but is fine if lunged or walked round for 5 mins first. now the question is that i am going away in july for about 3 1/2 weeks. do i give him time off to chill and then just bring him back into work when i get back or do i have him ridden for me while i'm away? he's not worked everyday but he's not had longer than 4/5 days off since he was backed. would be interested to hear your opinions. thankies!

 

[horseback09]

I voted other as its a tuff one!

One of my horses did well for time off but one of my others was a little git!

Good luck i hope you get a better answer than mine

 

[Baggybreeches]

I voted to give him the time off.
Whenever I have had my horses ridden while on holiday they always come back a bit tense and I spend a week getting them to relax. Not saying that any long term harm is done, just I prefer my horses a bit more chilled than precision obedient!

It won't do him any harm and will probably just mean he misses 3 weeks of work on hard ground!

 

[help1]

Give him time off my 4 yrold had a month off last year out in the field playing with his mates - shoes off etc. He didn't want to be caught turned slighly ferral (jumping gates and had to be herded in!) But it did him so much good, he grew, filled out, matured a bit and after a couple of weeks we were back to where we were.

 

[eventingdraft]

I'd give him the few weeks off. At his age I think it's better to have consistency of rider - especially as he sounds a little bit sharp when you first get on!

 

[clarejordaan]

Hi,
I have had several horses at this stage and because I like to go on holiday! and they are kept at home I have had to cross this bridge many times.
Firstly, I find that in an ideal world you are better turning 4yr olds away towards the end of the year - the winter is very long for baby horses to be stabled for the first proper year of work and if you can turn them away for nov/dec then all the better.
Secondly, if you do decide to keep him in work when you are away, you must be 100% confident in the person you have chosen to ride him for you. If in doubt rather turn away than have someone you do not trust 100% to follow the same rules that you have set for your baby. This just leads to more problems when you return.
Hope this helps!

 

[millitiger]

totally depends on who would be riding him...

me personally would give him time off instead of a new jockey if he is a bit sensitive- and also i am very protective over my youngsters and would spend the entire holiday worrying about how they were going!

 

[Fiona]

Honestly - I would give him the time off.

You can easily lunge etc for a couple of days before you get back on him.

Enjoy your holiday.

Fiona

 

[nicknacknelly]

hi, i think you should turn him away. 4 yr olds still need to mature, its amazing how much they can come on out at grass. also i find if they are kept going to long they can become a bit cheeky and i always turn them away at this time. quite often they can come back in to work far more chilled and grown up in their attitude.. have a fabby hol, and remember your chicken strap!!

 

[diggerbez]

thanks guys you've all confirmed what i was thinking was correct...i'm building a really good partnership with him (esp jumping) and would be really gutted to come home and him be jumping something totally new without me

i would have made my trainer ride him- not any old person- so know i would be able to trust them - but still i think our partnership is important as he is quite a sensitive soul when riding.

i will just have to lunge for 3 days nonstop when i get back

claire- turning him away fully over winter probably won't happen but the good news is that he can go out everyday on my new yard so at least he'll have chillout time in his field with his friends!

 

[Fiona]

Just thought of something else - is he a bit silly when turned out. If he is, then think about taking his back shoes off before you go away.

Means you won't be coming back to any little cuts or injuries, and you can hopefully start where you left off.

Have fun.

Fiona

 

[diggerbez]

nope not really silly at all but doesn't have shoes on yet anyway (plus is going to trainers so he'll be out with her broodmare who has no shoes either

)