How much is too much?

Dizzleton

Dizzleton

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A certain riding school around where I live/work uses their just 5 year old lw cobx gelding for XC lessons, show jumping, 4 hour beach hacks, side saddle lessons, general riding school lessons (a few a day) and lots more.

I know he was broken as a 3 year old turned away for 6 months and has been doing the above since then - all in either a double bridle or hackamore (yes, for beginners!!)

To me, it seems like far too much for such a young horse to do.
 
I agree it does sound a lot for such a young horse. But it totally depends on the set up of the lessons, the time period and how many other riders are in the group. Sometimes riding school horses are just stood about or walking around for therapeutic of their lesson as there are often 6-8 riders in a group. It also depends on the height/ intensity of the jumping and Xc and also how they spend the beach rides? Plodding about of galloping everywhere? Is his work spaced out and does he get a day off or two a week?
I agree it sounds like a lot of work for a young horse but there are also other things to consider
 
Bexx said:
I agree it does sound a lot for such a young horse. But it totally depends on the set up of the lessons, the time period and how many other riders are in the group. Sometimes riding school horses are just stood about or walking around for therapeutic of their lesson as there are often 6-8 riders in a group. It also depends on the height/ intensity of the jumping and Xc and also how they spend the beach rides? Plodding about of galloping everywhere? Is his work spaced out and does he get a day off or two a week?
I agree it sounds like a lot of work for a young horse but there are also other things to consider
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They usually do a lot of cantering, galloping and swimming on the beach and usually trot for about 2 miles and walk another 2 miles to get to the beach too.

I've also seen on their facebook he's used from beginners through to more experienced jumpers doing 1.15 (seen the pictures) but usually does courses of 80 - 1m. They only have 2 to 3 riders per group so most of them are working hard.

They often hack to the XC course which is about 3 miles away, then spend about 3 hours or so up there, then hack back.
 
I'd say that three hours work per day is about average for school horses.

At least he is doing a variety of things, and not just stuck going round and round in the manege.
 
Casey76 said:
I'd say that three hours work per day is about average for school horses.

At least he is doing a variety of things, and not just stuck going round and round in the manege.
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Yes, most school horses are stuck doing the same thing day-in day-out. My question is, is it too much for a just 5 year old. I believe his 5th birthday was only last month
 
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