Resting a 4yo - guidance pls (longish)

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BeckyD

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I've been thinking for a couple of weeks of giving Ronnie an extended break before Christmas, but don't know whether it's a good idea or not. Background: raced as a 3yo, was hopeless, so was bought by a nice lady in October 2006 and turned away for a month or so. Has been back in work for a year now, I've had him since April. I've given him a two-week break in the middle of summer and a few single weeks off during the 7 months I've had him. He's got a lovely attitude to work, is happy and trainable (possibly excessively so) and my instructor and I keep having to remind ourselves of his young age so that we don't take things too quickly. He's a lovely hack, now that it's dark at night we hack out once a week, jump once a week and school or lunge 2 or 3 times a week.

I'm hoping to have transport earlyish next year (depending on finances) so if I'm going to give him a break it would be better to do it now rather than then.

Is it worth giving him time off? People tell me that TB's mature young so I shouldn't worry about it, but I AM worrying! Just saw another post in the competition riders forum that brought it back to the forefront of my mind. If I do give him time off work entirely, how long?
 
A lot of people turn youngsters away - and I'm sure your's would benefit from it.

Nothing like a bit of time in the field to reflect, grow and mature.
 
He's more than capable to do a job at this age and personally I see no benefit in turning him away again. I would keep him in light work over winter to maintain a degree of fitness. My experience of TB's having time off usually results in them being bored stupid.
 
I wouldnt give him any time off to be honest. Its not like he's in hard competition so just an easy winter of hacking a schooling wont do him any harm at all. Unless of course, you want abit of time off !!!
Trouble is, at our yard they cant be out 24/7, so he couldnt just be turned out, so Id def keep him in light work or turn him away completely some where else for the winter.
 
I really can't see what harm it would do, particularly if he is going well. He is only 4 so there is no need to pressure him. My 4 year old had a couple of weeks off due to being slightly unlevel a month or so ago. He came back into work and is much better on the flat and definitely refreshed. I say go for it!
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I think it depends on the temp really. If i gave my 4 yr old even a couple of weeks of it would be like going back to square one! If you think your boy can handle it (which it sounds like he could) and you've got the facilities to keep him out then i would consider it,my mare has to be in quite hard work for her age as she has LOTS of energy/is a handful and is a complete pr*t if given a day off,i gave her 2 days off last week due to work ties and it was a v.bad idea! Like the others have mentioned i would keep him in light work if you could so that he's ticking over nicely. Sounds like he has a fab attitude to work which is great!
 
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He's got a lovely attitude to work, is happy and trainable (possibly excessively so) and my instructor and I keep having to remind ourselves of his young age so that we don't take things too quickly. He's a lovely hack

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If he is so good in work, with such a great attitude I don't see the point in giving him time off. It certainly doesn't sound as though you are pushing him.
 
I was unsure about resting my TBx so instead of giving her a total holiday I turned her away but every few weeks we did some in hand work.
 
I know that's the thing, he wouldn't be turned away completely, still stabled overnight etc. Maybe if I just ease off a bit, do more hacking and less hard work with him. As you say, it's not like he's out competing every weekend (once in 7 months so far).

I don't want a break, I'd miss riding him terribly!!
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Ok, thank you, that makes me feel a bit better. I don't push him really, he has quite an easy life
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I want to keep him sweet and don't want to ruin what I've got at the moment.
 
I think I'll do that. He's having this week off as one of his weeks off, so maybe after that I'll just hack with the odd schooling session so that he doesn't forget it entirely, for a few weeks.
 
I have a 5 yo.. I only get home every 2 weeks, so he has 10 days off at a time outside with a friend 24/7. When I appear he trots down to me looking delighted to see me (I dont have food!). Time is one of the most precious gifts you can give your horse.
 
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