Is it possible to bring a horse on too slowly

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3~2~1

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I'm being critisized on my yard for being too slow with my mare, i'll keep history brief so as not to bore anyone, bought her off the field at 2, not handled much, slowly won her trust, took her out as a 3 year old for some in hand showing, and basically just to see the world, at 4 she was broken to drive, and spent the summer out and about in walk/gentle trotting in carriage, at the end of winter carriage was put away and she was backed lightly, done some basic schooling, some short hacks, nothing serious, this year as a 5 year old she has done some more basic schooling, more hacking but is still really lolling about on the buckle, no pressure on her, imo she is still quite immature, still has some growing to do (bit bum high) and I just don't feel she's ready to go any further yet, I plan to turn her away again now for the winter then next year as a 6 year old bring her on "hopefully" up a gear. She has never yet been cantered with a rider, although I hasten to add because she is broken to drive she long reins perfectly and also lunges fantastic, she canters perfect on the lunge riderless, always on correct lead and seems well balanced. Others on yard can't understand why she's not cantering with rider and being taught to jump, im often asked to go on sponsored rides/hacks etc but won't go cause I know they will all canter and i don't want to upset her not letting her go with them but don't want to hooley her about. She's a 16hh WB/Welsh D. She's my horse for life, i've got her till me or her pop our clogs so i don't see the rush, cause i'm not intending in popping off yet and i certainly hope she aint :) but i am starting to question my own tactics now that maybe they are right and she should be doing more :confused:
 
I don't think there's any right or wrong way with this. Do what you want to do and what feels right. I have seen and known plenty of horses who have been ruined by doing too much too soon so IMO it's better to take it slowly. Also, it sounds like yours has done more than enough for their age, it may not be the 'traditional' way as in people think a horse should be being ridden at 'x' age but yours has been broken to drive, it's different way of learning and to then learn to be ridden is again totally different and they have to adjust to a whole new way of balancing themselves with a rider on.

Don't be swayed by what others say - do what you feel is right for YOUR horse!
 
You know you're own horse well so it's hard to judge what you mean by immaturity. All 4, 5 and 6 year olds are going to be immature to a degree and still be out of proportion and have lots of growing to do or at least filling out to do by 6. I think in your case it's slightly different as she drives.

In normal cases I'd want it to happen a bit quicker because of stopping the horse being so green later on in what it does - help it mature and make things more accustomed to it however, you're horse is seeing the world and still being educated in that sense. Whereas I'd want a horse to do poles/a small jump at 4 so by the time it's 6/7 it's finding them much more natural and ready to go on another level.

You have to stick to your guns and do what's best for your horse. You also have to think about what you want your horse to do - will it be a happy hacker/driving horse or do you want it to do dressage/sj/xc at any point in which case - when is it best for the horse to be doing this - early on so it becomes natural, or later on once the horse has a bit more of a mind of it's own and has matured and then gets asked to do some weird things.
 
Thanks for the replies, should have mentioned, she does poles when I lunge her, she's not phased by them.

She'll only ever be a happy hack, maybe a bit of fun jumping logs etc on a hack or very small jumps playing about in the field etc, but no competing, i've been there and done that 20 years ago, now all i want is a bit of fun and to enjoy her.
 
Then I see no problem in what you're doing and how you're doing it :) If you said that you wanted to compete sj/xc then maybe I'd have said you may want to progress on a little but since that's not the case then you're fine :)
 
FfionWinnie said:
If you are happy it is completely irrelevant what they think.

I do think being in work brings on maturity too however.
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I agree with this sentiment completely. I often think back to my mare, I bought her very green aged 7 and I wished for many years that I had her earlier, but so often she blew her stack and needed to be turned away... change to my gelding who was backed at 3, a year earlier than planned because he was getting so bored, in work he is a dear for the most part, but out of it he can get to be a tyke! On the other hand, our horses, to some extent have to fit in with us, as much as we have to try and revolve around them. I believe it is very much a case of finding what works for you and your horse in each individual situation. I can remember many a time being given advice about how to handle and bring on my old girl by so called 'horsemen' and curling inside in sickness thinking how she would have reacted if I followed their advice. Do what you think is right and if in doubt, ask advice of people you trust, ignore unsolicited advice unless it is regarding genuine concerns relating to the health and wellbeing of your horse, then at least listen to it before disregarding it.
 
I'd say teach her to canter with a rider, if you went on a hack and she was scared and bolted you'd both be quite shocked and very unbalanced which could be more dangerous, also if something happened and she did have to be sold you'd find it hard to if she can't canter yet with a rider on her. Other than that I'd continue the way you are and maybe bring some schooling in next year, riding her around on the buckle won't help build her up or balance her at all.
 
Mine didn't canter with a rider on in the school til he was six, although he did canter in straight lines out hacking before that. It doesn't seem to have spoilt anything. I do wish I'd shown him more of the world when he was younger but I didn't have much choice and are doing okay. Go with your gut instinct I say.
 
I was going to say your doing fine. Your horse for life, your both happy so your choice. You seem to be keeping her busy and learning rather than stagnating in a field.
Then I read SNORKEY's post and thought goodness, yes. If something prompted the flight response on a hack with you on board it could be very dangerous for both of you. So I would echo that advise and teach her to canter with rider on board. There is no need to do loads of it, just ensure she is balaced and happy with it should the need arise.
 
When I think of too slowly I think of people who lunge for months on end with thought of getting on as they're a bit apprehensive of getting on. Horses get bored with constant lunging. They also get fit. Not great when they actually have no idea what the endgame is.

Thing is horses want to progress naturally. I don't see any issues in what you're doing. Not a big fan of horse having to go in a ready to go on the bit fashion when you first start riding. They build up over time developing the correct muscles once going. But if horse has head up constantly and doesn't know what any contact is they risk developing the "wrong" way of going and building the wrong muscle.

If she starts getting silly she may just be expressing enthusiasm for doing more. You can keep on like you are or let her have the odd canter here and there. It's all part of progression and learning. Sometimes, not saying this is the case with you, people say they don't want the horse hurt when they might be a bit apprehensive of the unknown. Will she buck me off? Will she take off and keep going? How will I handle that?

Personally I think you're doing just fine. Your horse seems happy as do you. Who cares what anyone else says. She's all yours! Best of luck.

Terri
 
Better slowly and correctly than rushed and incorrectly.

I have just bought a 6 yr old that has been ridden hollow, behind and ignorant to the leg, hangs left, has no manners on the ground and goes over rather than round me. Thankfully, the horse has a sweet temper and a will to learn when taught correctly. All the poor traits are learned behaviour from poor training and upbringing. (The horse is a typical irish import that came over at 3yr old, hastily started and dumped into a novice home as a first horse)

So at 6, the horse is in the school learning the basics of transitions, leg yield, shoulder fore, halt, rein back etc. In 3 months she has gone from an uncomfortable, unwieldy lump to ride to a balanced, very willing (no leg needed, just a thigh/back aid), supple little cob. Canter remains a problem to the left but it will come. Ground manners are good and the horse has changed from a rather sullen 'make me' attitude to a willing ' whats next' outlook.

I think it's a case of know your horse and proceed at the speed that is appropriate for it's long term education.
 
One of my liveries wasn't even backed until he was nine. He is now 23, and has represented GB on the pony dressage team twice, been a schoolmaster at a very well known equestrian centre, and in more recent years has taught countless children to ride and to enjoy it.

If you're happy, and your horse is happy, sod the rest.
 
Thanks for all the great replies, I take on board the bit about being surprised out hacking and taking off, (although not impossible of course any horse can take fright and flight, but she is such a laid back character and her driving helps in that area too) but yes I agree and i'll try to get her cantering in straight lines in the last few weeks now before winter sets right in and she's turfed away again till next year, and I suspect if she's done a little bit of it this year it'll help when I bring her into it again next year. Onwards and upwards it is then :-)
 
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SNORKEY said:
I'd say teach her to canter with a rider, if you went on a hack and she was scared and bolted you'd both be quite shocked and very unbalanced which could be more dangerous, also if something happened and she did have to be sold you'd find it hard to if she can't canter yet with a rider on her. Other than that I'd continue the way you are and maybe bring some schooling in next year, riding her around on the buckle won't help build her up or balance her at all.
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Agree with this..I ride my friend's 6 year old. When I first hacked out on him his canter was dreadful and unbalanced. He'd also been ridden on a very loose rein so had no idea about balancing himself with a rider on his back. For safety sake as others have commented it would be best to start getting her used to it just in case. Sounds like she's had a nice gently introduction to the whole process though :)
 
Agree you should start to bring on the canter, it takes a while for a horse to be able to,balance with a rider on its back in canter.

As for the rest. It really depends on the horse. I have seen a chunky 4 year old who was backed and turned away at 3 and at 4 could cope with BYEH, though she was turned away again afterwards. My 5 year old started later and has only really caught up this year so no chance.

Cover the basics from a safety perspective. Everything else can take its time.
 
There's nothing wrong with taking your time, there's no rush to get your horse perfect, and with the pressure off, she probably takes it in better anyway, she'll be picking up on that sense of calm and enjoying it.
Those in a hurry put pressure on their horse and it will reflect in their way of going in some ways, yes they'll get there quicker, but what's the rush? Their horse is only a youngster once, before they know it the horse is a 10 year old and you can't wind back the clock.
My Lad is 10, and i've never rushed anything, and do you know what? I'd do it all again, but miss out the few mistakes i've made along the way, done by others who thought their way was better, but not for him.
 
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