Potentially novice question

[Holly_09]

Apologies in advance for the novicey question but if you don't ask you don't know!

When backing a young horse, why are they then often turned away for a few months? What is the point in it?

Thanks!

 

[Littlelegs]

Sometimes its because they are backed not long after turning 3 when they are still too young to do more training, so they are turned away to mature before coming into work the following spring when they are 4. And sometimes a 4 yr old can be backed & turned away to give it chance to mentally mature. And I was once told part of the original thinking was because over the winter before floodlit schools were common there wasn't much else you could do with a 3yr old even if you wanted.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Most youngsters need a bit more time to grow and mature before starting more intensive work. Most three year olds are still gangly things and need to grow into themselves.

 

[Chavhorse]

Normally to allow the lessons learnt to sink in and to allow them to grow up a bit more both mentally and physically.

This is something we still do with my WB X he is now seven but after an intensive period of schooling we like to let him have a few weeks downtime to let it all sink in then he comes back raring to go again.

Its a bit like you taking a long weekend break after a very busy time at work x

 

[Holly_09]

Thank you all : )