Taking a 4 year old schooling for the first time

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Maximumvoltage

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My mum wants me to go cross country schooling with her. She has a 4 year old, that has only ever been in the school and down the rode (only had a couple of months schooling since she was broken), and she wants me to take my excitable 6 year old to accompany her.

I think its crazy bearing in mind she has only actually sat on the 4 yr old once as she is with a guy for schooling, and she has hardly ridden for the past 7 years, although previously to that she has ridden a lot.

She is telling me that I am making a big deal out of it and now causing an argument (which is my fault) and making me feel bad about it.

What do you think? Is this is most sensible way to take a young horse out for their first time? The original plan was that she took her out with a sensible horse, to see how she got on and then we would go after that, but that outing has been cancelled and now she wants to go anyway.
 
IF you treat it as a 'quiet hack' and your mums horse isn't allowed to find it exciting. Then it might work... I'd prefer to take a schoolmaster when I take my 4 year old out.
 
I took my 4 year old but we had build up our hacking in wlak and trot with good canters over the winter- took her in April did the didiest jumps and all the waters- BUT we walked between fences to teach her that we dont run off at XC and I must stress we took the quietest schoolmaster with us


I understand your concerns- perhaps your baby hasnt seen enough of the world yet in terms of fitness and expereinces.

If you feel confident go for it but my advice would be go witha quiet horse and someone who isnt going to pis** off and leave you
good luck
BTW- I had the best time- only did about 6 jumps and the water but i am happy that I didnt overface her.
 
Wouldnt take a 4yr old out XC until it could walk trot and canter. But other than that, wouldnt mind taking it out with another young horse, to introduce it to ditches/water etc
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it sounds like you and your 6 year old would benefit from a few training sessions with a school master- it may teach him that he can be calm whislt doing exciting things.
Why dont you go and find someone to go with you until your boy is a bit quieter and you more confident of his behaviour then you can go with you mum

Its got to be positive for the horses and you- if your not up for it dont go- you have a relativly young horse too that could break your confidence / or you break his if you have a bad time.
Good luck whatever you do. same you havent a schoolmaster to go with..
 
I took my 4 year old XC schooling for the first time with a very laid back horse who knew his job (not a school master, just not phased by XC fences and open spaces!)
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Before i got her she had been regularly hacked out in open spaces and galloped alongside a racehorse on the south downs so for her and flat open space with solid obstacles was a very calm and "boring" experience the first time! 8 months down the line and she gets VERY excitable!
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Good luck with 4year old and 6 year old
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i think maybe some longish hacks and schooling in field before going XC would be a good idea
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Have fun if you do go though
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My six year old is fine on his own or with sensible company. I just have problems if others mess around or if some gallops past him. I think this will just clear up with age. However, I do not think its beneficial to either of them to take them out together. I think we will just take the four year old on her own this time round.
 
My 4yo is about another month off going xc schooling. He has already been schooling over show jumps at about 85cm and jumped fillers water tray etc, has been hacking about with a few canters and been out in trailer to lessons. He is going to his first dressage comp in a couple of weeks. But i don't want him to scare himself over solid fences until he has a better idea of adjusting his stride etc over show jumps.

I work with competition horses and the youngsters are all mine to do, believe me you are so much better off taking things a step slower and getting it right than rushing things.

One of the worst mistakes many people make is to try and keep up with the pros, they have the confidence, ability and experience to make up for the lack of in a young horse. The rest of us mere mortals MUST take things one step at a time, or we WILL come unstuck somewhere down the line.

Good Luck, get it right and a young horse you can bring on yourself and do your way is so rewarding
 
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