Should I turn away

T

Torryvald

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I was looking for people’s opinions on what I should do with my lovely young horse. I bought him as a 2 year old and he is now 3. He has learnt lots in this time and is good to handle, load, farrier etc (he even stayed lying down when he had his flu jab!). I also took him in hand to 2 shows this summer. I have been sitting on him for about the past 4 weeks and this was all done very gradually and without any stress to him. I have trotted him in straight lines a couple of times, but I am mainly just walking him and working on turns and halt to walk transitions etc.

I am now wondering whether I should carry on playing with him, or just turn him away altogether and leave him alone until next Spring. He is still bum high and can be a bit unpredictable and immature at times…All thoughts welcome. (by the way he is a thoroughbred).Thanks
 
Turn him away.
S
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Turn him away. It will repay you in bucketloads; he'll be much more mature and ready to progress when he comes back. To my mind, he's done plenty enough for his age and physique for now, let him have a good holiday - but still keep his mineral and vitamin levels correct for his age, he'll still need those.
 
thanks very much, confirmed what I was thinking, but I need to say it out load and have it backed up!! I take it I should just leave him alone completely (apart from his daily maintenence of course)?
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Thaks MFH, I have him on Topspec and he looks healthy and well at the moment. I am happy with how he has done, but I was hopeful that my job would be easier and possibly safer when he was a bit older. He will be pleased when I tell him tonight!! He deserves it though!
 
most top eventers don't believe in turning away, they just keep going. I too believe this is the better option... I have seen good results by this method.
 
We've just done the same at my place - 3 year old backed, ridden away and now turned away until next spring.

It's quite often done when they're 4 as well.
 
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