Turning away a 3 year old

[asommerville]

Folks I have yet another question regarding my youngster. He’s a 3 year old IDx and I am breaking him in at the moment, he is happily walking out and we are starting some trotting work. He is really happy in his work – long may it continue. He is only being ridden a couple of times a week as I don’t want to blow his brains  we do a bit of lunging, loose jumping and long reining as well.

My plan was to break him in and not work him over the winter from end October to Feb/March time. He is 4 in April. However he is a little bit ‘sensitive’ and was not easy to break in (however he has been a bit badly treated and was frightened of everything when I got him so no wonder) and my instructor has advised that I would be better to keep him in work over the winter and turn him away next year in March/April when the weather starts to get better and turn him away for a month.

I think this sounds like a better idea myself as to be honest he would not be doing much over the winter anyway as no doubt the weather is going to be rubbish but I am worried about whether it is the right thing to do or not as someone else has said I should turn him away and just leave him until next year.

So I am confused, don’t want to stress my wee horse out as he is being a star. Any advice would be much appreciated!! Has anyone else did this or have you all turned them away for the whole winter?

As usual any help is much appreciated

 

[scribble]

I am keeping my 3 yr old in work. she gets worked every other day for 20 mins to half hr wlak and trot with occasional canter, hacks out and she is staying in work. she has the odd week off here and there but gets so bored. If she was sensitive to break i would keep her going after all the way we look at it (~my friend does breaking all sorts of horses incl many racehorses to plods) is that it is not different really to them walking or trotting round the field.