Turn away for winter? - WWYD?

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Ilovefoals

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I'm having a dilemma I need some advice for.

My 4yr old is very bum high and has a lot of growing to do. I've had him roughly 7 months but he's had around 3 months off at different times with foot balance issues which are hopefully now sorted.

My dilemma is whether I should leave him off for winter as currently I'm struggling to ride due to bad weather, can't get the trailer out to go to an indoor as our very rural track is icy and disintegrating before our eyes and my arena surface is desperately needing topped up and is really only suitable to walk on just now. I could try to ride when I can and do what I can but I'm wondering if it's worth it and whether I'd be better to admit defeat and leave him off til I can bring him back into consistent work??! I think the time off would be good for him to mature physically as he is growing so much and he'll still be in at nights and be handled daily so no chance of him becoming ferral :D

WWYD?

This pic shows just how bum high he is.....

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I'd give him the time off until the weather improves and you can work him consistently.

Personally, I've found nothing worse than an underworked youngster- they are better off on a proper break or in proper work; that in between amount of work tends to keep them fresh and stupid and you never seem to progress.

I am a big advocate of turning away youngsters over winter though, particularly the big ones who clearly have growing to do.
 
Ditto MT without a doubt.

TBH, unless they're hunters/pointers or you have access to decent schools, I'd probably rough everything else off too if time is tight due to daylight available; I just don't see the point of struggling when there's no need and sometimes, especially youngsters, you only set them back, what's the point of that?
 
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Thanks folks. You have helped me decide. He's 17hh already and is pure ID so will be a big boy. I definitely want him to be fit for life so winter off it is!
 
millitiger said:
I'd give him the time off until the weather improves and you can work him consistently.

Personally, I've found nothing worse than an underworked youngster- they are better off on a proper break or in proper work; that in between amount of work tends to keep them fresh and stupid and you never seem to progress.
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This is certainly what I find with mine. She needs to get consistent work or else we just go round and round in circles and learn naughty habits which I don't have the time to correct as am not riding every day.
 
My 17.1hh has only stopped growing and he's 7, he's an ID X TB and he's only really been in work for the last couple of years as he was left to grow. He'll probably still fill out yet. I hate seeing overworked youngsters as they break down before the make a decent age x
 
I don't see any harm in turning away. I often turn my youngsters away for the odd month and they always come back better for it. Its better to give them time off now over winter than in the summer.
 
millitiger said:
I'd give him the time off until the weather improves and you can work him consistently.

Personally, I've found nothing worse than an underworked youngster- they are better off on a proper break or in proper work; that in between amount of work tends to keep them fresh and stupid and you never seem to progress.

I am a big advocate of turning away youngsters over winter though, particularly the big ones who clearly have growing to do.
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Completely agree with this, especially the work side of things. Due to ill health I've turned my young girl away for the winter precisely for this reason. She's 5 but has had 2 foals, lost a surprise one this year and is now hanging out with her buddies and learning some much needed horsey social skills. We're both recuperating and I think it's doing her good. :)
 
Another vote for turnout.

For the 3rd year in a row I've clipped my (now 7 year old) and less than a fortnight later, ice and snow, he's jinxed I'm sure. Actually I think a horse that has been 'picked up and put down' a bit as a youngster is a good thing. Nothing worse than feeling you absolutely HAVE to ride every day/4 times week etc. He'll enjoy being a horse and you'll enjoy the break.

Ditto the comments about him though - just my type, love it.
 
Thanks guys. Appreciate your comments. I've definitely decided it's holiday time for him until the weather warms up and I can crack on consistently. I can't wait til spring!!!
 
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