Mental maturity

[Wizpop]

Also in competing and training
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?

 

[fidleyspromise]

I have a 15 Yr old retired through injury now but she was mentally immature. I bought her at 3 and she was Backed at 7 and she did grow up around 10.
She was very flighty when I got her and it did take years of groundwork and patience. She is still sharp to a degree but much better than she was.

 

[Wizpop]

Thanks fidleyspromise, I did rather think it could be a long journey. I now have to decide whether this is for me as 10 years ago I might have carried on but I really want something calmer and more established now.

 

[Tarragon]

My latest pony was bought unbacked as a 6 year-old, having spent previous 6 years doing conservation grazing - so any sort of training was absolute minimum. He also has the mental maturity of a much younger pony. I have had him 1 year and have really taken my time with him, and to be honest, whilst what we have achieved has been solid, we have a long way to go! I think that he is physically mature but probably isn't learning as quickly as a younger pony would. His only saving grace is that he hasn't got the panic and run mentality! More of a stop and splat (bambi-style) mentality. I can cope with that much easier at my age!
Mind you, I feel that our bond will be much the stronger for it if I keep going.

 

[Wizpop]

My latest pony was bought unbacked as a 6 year-old, having spent previous 6 years doing conservation grazing - so any sort of training was absolute minimum. He also has the mental maturity of a much younger pony. I have had him 1 year and have really taken my time with him, and to be honest, whilst what we have achieved has been solid, we have a long way to go! I think that he is physically mature but probably isn't learning as quickly as a younger pony would. His only saving grace is that he hasn't got the panic and run mentality! More of a stop and splat (bambi-style) mentality. I can cope with that much easier at my age!
Mind you, I feel that our bond will be much the stronger for it if I keep going.

Yes agreed- Ithink I’d be more inclined to keep going if it was a stop and splat mentality! My older bones are look8ng for something steadier.