New 4yo coming!!

[ohdearme]

Hi everyone!

I've just bought a 4yo (just turned 4 last month) and, having never owned a youngster before, was wondering about the level & type of workload that is appropriate for this age?
Her previous owner has said that she hacks, has done some schooling & popped a small jump before. With my last horse (9yo) I would do more schooling & jumping in the school/field than hacking, and would ride maybe 5/6 times a week. With a 4yo, should I be riding less times per week, or maybe more hacking than schooling?

Any advice welcome!!

 

[Firewell]

From what I remember when my boy was 4 I did short sweet sessions in the school 10-20 mins of proper work. Lots of hacking, riding in the field, poles, baby jumps (only started jumping once canter established and mainly trotted into jumps at the very beginning). Played it sensible. If he had done a good job in the school and learnt something new I'd give him 2 days off to let muscles grow and brain catch up. Depending on intensity of sessions he would be ridden 4-6x per week but some of those sessions might only be 15 mins or hacking. Think little, often and consistent work introducing new things one step at a time. Enjoy!

 

[Asha]

Photos needed, and congratulations.

My 4 yo is ridden about 4 times a week. Hacked and a bit of schooling. Schooling is a mixture of flat and pole work. She's had a couple of outings, one to a friends yard, and one to her first competition. We try and just keep it fun