How much do horses change between 4 and 5? Struggling with my youngster

[windand rain]

I also think you are tarring your youngster with a label saying you have never ridden a youngster is a bit like you have never eaten a chocolate egg as averse to chocolate in general. Youngsters are no different to older horses in fact they are often far more genuine. Its like a blank canvas over a dirty grey picture and with a good pro in charge he should never learn the bad only the good. I personally would never buy a horse that has been started as most in my experience have been badly done or maybe qualify that by saying not done how I like them done. So from that perspective you need to forget he is a youngster. If you like him stick to riding him if you dont regardless of age sell and buy one you do like but please dont think you have to stick it out it is meant to be fun.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would say sell him and get something more suitable you can ride and be confident on now, tbf though if my 16 year old had a month off and I rode him without lunging first he would be a handful and an idiot, so I definitely wouldn't just hop on such a young horse after having a break and expect them to behave.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I also think 3/4 year olds are easier than 5/6 year olds. When they are young they can be quite naive and compliant, are not very strong and not very fit. They tire very easily. At 5 and 6 they are more confident, fitter, stronger which generally makes them more energetic, keen, enthusiastic and sometimes more wilful. Dolly at 4-5 was very much a 'yes mum' pony and now at 5-6 she is sometimes over-confident. It's in a a nice way, but she thinks she knows what to do and then goes ahead and does it. And she's not always right!

I'd sell the Connie personally if you are stuggling with her and have a great feeling on your loan horse.

 

[KEK]

Ho hum, just spoke to my instructor and she is off over east in 2w to SJ and won't be back till March... not sure what to do with him now. Continue his break, I guess :/ She wasn't a fan of the lease idea.

 

[Northern]

Ho hum, just spoke to my instructor and she is off over east in 2w to SJ and won't be back till March... not sure what to do with him now. Continue his break, I guess :/ She wasn't a fan of the lease idea.

If you can't/don't want to find someone else to ride him, a break won't do him any harm. It will allow him time off to mature as well, so don't worry too much about it. I may be cynical, but I would never ever lease a horse to someone. I don't know about over West, but the way many people care for their horses here leaves a lot to be desired. It's either sell or stay with me, unless I know and trust the person leasing implicitly.

 

[KEK]

If you can't/don't want to find someone else to ride him, a break won't do him any harm. It will allow him time off to mature as well, so don't worry too much about it. I may be cynical, but I would never ever lease a horse to someone. I don't know about over West, but the way many people care for their horses here leaves a lot to be desired. It's either sell or stay with me, unless I know and trust the person leasing implicitly.

Yeah, guess not the end of the world. I could send him back to the British eventer that did some work with him earlier this year as I know she does sales livery, but I'm not sure I will get as much input with his home like that.
Mmm, she was concerned we would have a bigger problem in 2yrs when he comes back. Realistically, I think finding someone good enough to do the work, AND ok to send him back after they've done it I think would be very hard.

 

[HashRouge]

Yeah, guess not the end of the world. I could send him back to the British eventer that did some work with him earlier this year as I know she does sales livery, but I'm not sure I will get as much input with his home like that.
Mmm, she was concerned we would have a bigger problem in 2yrs when he comes back. Realistically, I think finding someone good enough to do the work, AND ok to send him back after they've done it I think would be very hard.

I would personally sell him. Riding is supposed to be fun, after all! You could send him to the eventer you mention but ask to be present for any viewings if you want to vet the home? If you're paying for their services then in theory they shouldn't say no to this. I do think, though, that a mistake we all make is to assume that we are the only person who can provide a good home to our horses . I don't mean this as a criticism because I do it myself, but there are many excellent homes out there, especially for talented horses.

I agree with your instructor about leasing him. It's too complicated, and it's tricky to find the perfect person especially if you want him back at the end of it and are hoping for him to be a new, improved character.