New 4yo... Bringing him on...

Empy&Treacle

Empy&Treacle

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Hi everyone,

After losing both my mares within 5 weeks of eachother in July/August this year, and as a result being horse-less, I have finally found, well been found (and am very grateful for), a lovely 4yo; 15.1, very well bred 3/4 TB, 1/4 Arab and 1/4 Trakehner gelding. He was broken in the spring by my trainer and has really only been ridden on over the summer. He is very straight forward and knows the basics - walk, trot, canter both reins and has been jumped - all seemed very easy to him. Hacking also very good and fine in traffic. He seems to have a very trainable attitude.

I am just wondering if you knowledgeable people could offer some advice on ideas for a suitable working programme so that he is kept busy and above all, interested in work, but not over-worked at the same time? I know we need to get the basics sorted, going forward and off the leg etc (he is a little lazy) and an outline will be as a result of going forward and working through correctly once that's established, but I would just like some advice on how much hacking, schooling etc should he really be doing each week? Hacking unfortunately is limited to road work, but at least it's country lanes.

I really want to get this right and although I have plenty of help to hand and have brought horses on before, it is always nice to take a wider view, take advice and see how other people bring their youngsters on.

Any comments are gratefully received :)
 
Wouldn't presume to give you advice but just wanted to wish you every success and lots of fun and happiness with your new baby. It must be good to have a fresh start and purpose after your sad losses. He sounds lovely and as you are wise enough to ask for input you deserve the best results, good luck, enjoy
 
He sounds lovely and you sound like a lovely caring owner! I would say a couple of days short schoolibg, starting off at say 15 mins and building up to half an hour. Couple days hacking and a say doing pole work building up to small jumps. That's what I would do anyway :) good luck!
 
Has he had any time turned away since being broken in? If not then I would actually suggest giving him a bit of time off without being ridden and then bring him back into steady work mixing a little of schooling (short periods, max maybe 20 mins) and hacking and then maybe just some groundwork.

Each horse is different, so there are no real hard and fast rules, just don't expect too much too soon and don't put pressure on yourself or him to achieve things within any particular time frames.
 
Thank you all for your good wishes and advice :)

Ladyt25, he hasn't done a huge amount of ridden work since being broken, but I know he spent the last 5 weeks turned away; would you think he needs a little longer or is 5 weeks Ok?
No time frames have been set, I am just so happy to have a horse on the yard at home again and have been given 6 months loan (with the view to purchase at the end) to bring him on and educate him, but not to any set level. I plan to do a fair bit of groundwork with him.

I want to do this to the best of my (and his) ability hence the post. Patience is a virtue, ever more so when educating a young horse, but I know there is a fine balance between patience and taking things too slowly.
 
Jess1 said:
Hi everyone,

After losing both my mares within 5 weeks of eachother in July/August this year, and as a result being horse-less, I have finally found, well been found (and am very grateful for), a lovely 4yo; 15.1, very well bred 3/4 TB, 1/4 Arab and 1/4 Trakehner gelding. :)
Click to expand...

So sorry for your loss, that must have been devestating. Hope you dont mind me pointing out that your new horse has five quarters there lol, you got a spare quarter horse for free!!
 
Jess1 said:
4yo; 15.1, very well bred 3/4 TB, 1/4 Arab and 1/4 Trakehner gelding.
Click to expand...

Thank you to singing dawn for pointing out my silly mistake above :o To correct the breeding details I think we'd be safer to say that he is
3/4 TB remainder Arab and Trakhener.

I can count, just seemingly not at 9.25pm after a hard day's work! :rolleyes: :D

Still thanks for your comments! :)
 
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