Keeping a spelling horse settled with light work

[TheFarmIsFull]

Has anyone here kept a spelling horse in light sporadic work to keep it settled. For example a lunge every 3 or 4 days to just let them blow off some steam without actually “working”.
I have turned out a young horse for 2 months to strengthen up and put on some extra condition however she craves work and attention and if she has any more than 2 or 3 days off she starts to get a bit feral and will run around the paddock being a nuisance so I thought about doing the above to just help keep her a bit relaxed in the paddock but I also don’t want to be “undoing” the holiday.
* when in work she doesn’t care too much for friends but on holiday she starts getting matey. I think it’s FOMO. She genuinely loves work and people.
* she’s always been turned out 24/7 so she’s used to that.
* Keeping her in work is not an option, I’d really like her to let down and I have a busy few months ahead.

 

[Sandstone1]

Whats a spelling horse?

 

[TheFarmIsFull]

Whats a spelling horse?

A horse on holiday, out of work

 

[Sandstone1]

A horse on holiday, out of work

Oh, Thank you. Just never heard that term before.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

If I had a horse that really mentally craved work, I'd be inclined to do some ground work. Mental stuff like trick training too. I'd also consider hand walks and long lining.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

If she's on a break, grit your teeth for at least a week to 10 days or more to let her settle properly.
It's breaking the habit.

 

[TheFarmIsFull]

If I had a horse that really mentally craved work, I'd be inclined to do some ground work. Mental stuff like trick training too. I'd also consider hand walks and long lining.

I have been doing so much of this over the past 6 months, even though she has now gone on holiday she’s still handled each day for cover changes and grooms if the weathers ok.

 

[TheFarmIsFull]

If she's on a break, grit your teeth for at least a week to 10 days or more to let her settle properly.
It's breaking the habit.

I did think of doing this but im
Worried she will do something stupid or hurt herself. I have always sent my horses away for a holiday and I don’t have to manage them but not anymore.

 

[webble]

Is that a common phrase? Not heard it before?

 

[ycbm]

For example a lunge every 3 or 4 days to just let them blow off some steam without actually “working”.

I think lunging is very hard work for them. Why is the horse resting? If it's for a physical injury there is no way I would lunge. I would take her out on walks in hand .

If the horse is not resting because it is injured I would stop the holiday and keep her in light work.
.

 

[ycbm]

Is that a common phrase? Not heard it before?

TFIF is not UK origin, I think. We don't call rugs covers either.
.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Is that a common phrase? Not heard it before?

It's grass livery down under.

 

[Kahlua]

Is that a common phrase? Not heard it before?

It’s used a lot in Australia.

OP don’t lunge - the risk of causing injury if not resting because injured is too high. Hand walk, ground work or ignore if you can until the habit it broken.

 

[webble]

It's grass livery down under.

Ahhh sorry missed that bit

 

[TheFarmIsFull]

Thank you all. I will try and break the habit. She is on holiday to strengthen up and put on condition over winter. We are going to be flat out over the next 2 months with calves and lambs so it’s good timing. She has done some good work and education over the past 6/7 months. I did consider sending her away to continue working but she is young and could really benefit from some time off.