Mental maturity

[Wizpop]

A previous thread has prompted me to ask this.
I have an 8 year old who is more like a 4 year old in his mental, and to some extent, his physical maturity. Added to the fact that he seems very insecure and fearful at times. A lot of ground work has already been put into him with great patience. He was re backed at 6 before I bought him ( un known to me at the time). I deliberately did not want a project but it seems as though I have one. Has anyone had a late maturing horse and did he/ she eventually settle into a more mature outlook?

 

[nikkimariet]

Rooni is nearly 9yo. He was backed as 3yo and then did nothing (field feral) until being rebacked in the later half of his 5yo year (the week I went to see and subsequently bought him).

Condition wise he had nothing on him - really weak baby. And he’s experienced nothing of life. So mentally and physically he was light years behind those in the same age group.

I have to remind myself he’s a bit younger than his passport says at times. But the late start to life hasn’t done him any harm.

 

[Caol Ila]

My 12 year old has the operational capacity of most people's five-year olds. But he was wild until he was eight.