How long would you turn away for

J

Jesstickle

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Nitty has been in consistent work for about 10 weeks now as well as having been on and off all summer. Few weeks of work followed by a couple of weeks off type situation.

She's four, rising five and I want to give her a break as she's still quite weak and backwards. But equally she was a minx at the end of the summer and is now settled and working well. I'm umming and ahhing about what to do in terms of when to stop and for how long. She went for her first lesson away from home on Sat and I'm taking her to trot round the clear round this weekend. If she is good I planned to let her stop for a bit but now I am wondering whether to carry on for a few more lessons to just get a bit more consolidated.

I'm so indecisive... :(
 
Why not simply keep her ticking over quietly over the winter - just riding her maybe twice a week (no pressure, just a hack).
 
Assuming she'll let me do that and not try and splat me when I get on that would be quite nice (touch wood we seem to have grown out of this now :eek:) I don't have anything else to ride now so would be good to be able to potter about.
 
If it helps, the British are the only people who routinely turn away horses of any age. The other countries all keep them in work. As with Dee, unless it's injured, I turn away to suit ME, not the horse :D
 
I'd probably give her a few weeks off in the New Year, as I like to give growing or immature horses a decent break but it's not really necessay.
The weather is also usually at it's worse at that time of the year, so riding isn't all that much fun at that time of the year.
But as long as you're not doing a lot it won't do her any harm - just do what you feel is for the best, as you know her better than anybody else.
 
Well, Bee's being left to it til the new year, which is slightly injury-inspired. However, she was going to have December off to relax anyway, as is Reg I think. We find they come back more willing to work because they've had the time to rewind. And it gives mum and Al a much needed break too!
 
I would continue with the few weeks of work with a week or two off, it can work really well with young horses that are still maturing as they have plenty of short breaks, do not get too fit and it fits in well with missing some of the bad weather. She is less likely to go back to the more difficult phase if not turned away completely.
 
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