My plans for Alee - Opinions please

Halfpass

Halfpass

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 May 2005
Messages
3,527
Location
East Sussex
Visit site
Alee will be 4 in June. She was very lightly backed last summer and then started work again in Jan. My original plan had been to bring her back into work in May time but the turnout at my yard became restricted and Alee could only go out every other day, so I thought I'd start working her again earlier. She is a big girl (16.3hh Selle Francais) and has been doing really well.
On saturday a very experience friend (seahorse) got on her for the first time and although though she felt great for a baby also agreed that she has a hell of a lot more growing to do both menatlly and physically. I have never backed a horse before and have been following advice from instructors and expereince friends so far.
My plan now then is to rough her off a little and turn her away with some other youngsters. I have found a 27 acre field with loads of lovely grass where she would have 2 and 3 year olds for company. My plan is to turn her out for 2/3 months then send her for some professional schooling for 2/3 weeks then have her home. Does this sound like a good plan?
I'm not sure what I feel about turning a horse away as not sure it really benefits their training but Alee is just so leggy and babyish to look at that I feel it will do her growing so much good especially with our restricted turnout. By the time she comes back to me she will be able to go out 24/7.
 
Due to circunstances beyond our control our 4 year old 16.3 trakhener X got turned away in the autumn for a year and was brought back into work at 5 1/2 which apart from the fact he was more green than a lot of 5 year olds did him no harm and we felt that it gave his body/legs time to mature. In fact he seems destined to be turned away for periods as we have a sharer (he has him to hunt in the winter & we have him back in the summer) who has unfortunately had an operation & is unable to ride him at present
 
I personally think if you don't turn her away then you would be doing her a great disservice. She needs more growing time and this would be perfect although if it was me, I would actually leave her out until September at the earliest before you think of doing anything else with her at all; both she and you will reap the benefits I'm sure.
Well done for thinking about her future rather than cracking on because she is willing now.
 
Ok a bit of an update. Just been to view the field - 30 acres of good grazing for this time of year a good amount of shelter and a very good price for them to check on her everyday aswell!!
The only doubt I have is that they breed shetlands and section A's so she would be in the field with youngsters and brood mares all of which are no bigger than 11hh. I am pretty sure that I am going to take her at the weekend but do you think that the size of the other horses will cause a problem?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ok a bit of an update. Just been to view the field - 30 acres of good grazing for this time of year a good amount of shelter and a very good price for them to check on her everyday aswell!!
The only doubt I have is that they breed shetlands and section A's so she would be in the field with youngsters and brood mares all of which are no bigger than 11hh. I am pretty sure that I am going to take her at the weekend but do you think that the size of the other horses will cause a problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

Anyone??? Any thoughts on this then?
 
Can't see it being a problem, where I am it seems that the biggest horses seem to choose the tiniest for their 'best mate'! Currently have a 16.2 IDxTB gelding in love with a 11 hand sec A mare, he's as gentle as anything with her, in fact she's the one who does the bossing around!!
 
Only that the littlies might bully her!

I'm sure in a big field they won't though. But she might be scared of them initially, especially Shetlands. I found a lot of horses were scared of my miniature Shetland when I took him to shows, though the ponies tended not to be.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Only that the littlies might bully her!

I'm sure in a big field they won't though. But she might be scared of them initially, especially Shetlands. I found a lot of horses were scared of my miniature Shetland when I took him to shows, though the ponies tended not to be.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really, how funny!! TBH she could probably do with being put in her place. There is not a strongly dominant mare in the herd she is turned out with at the moment which has put her at the top of the pecking order. I'm not sure how healthy this is for a 3 year old and how it will influence her in the future so maybe going out with a herd of protective in foal brood mares and littlies might help
grin.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top