Turning away after the season finishes

LeannePip

LeannePip

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So do/ would you?

I was planning to give my 5yo a little holiday after her last event in October. This is her first season and she'll have done 7 events plus the odd dressage and hunter trail as well as the associated training required.

She had a 9 week holiday last winter Oct-Dec and it did her the world of good, she came back bigger and stronger.

I just plan to give her a little down time/ holiday in the field for 4 weeks or so before picking back up for a winter of dressage and showjumping. Yet everyone i have mentioned this too just looks at me aghast :O and saying am i not worried that it will ruin all the work i've put in this year? She's very quiet and sensible and i have no worries abut getting back on a loon, i just feel she deserves a bit of horse time after working and trying so hard this year for me, what do you think, am i mad?
 
I think turning them away for a complete break has become a thing of the past, many horses only ever get a break when it is enforced by injury, a young horse should benefit mentally and physically by having a rest, time to chill out while the weather is not too bad and come back in ready to move on ready for next season, no reason she should forget what she has learnt.
I always try to give a horse a rest if it has been fairly busy and have yet to have any problems when the come back in, I would ignore everyone else and do what you want with your own horse, it is nice for the owners to have a few easy weeks as well.
 
Thanks guys these were my thoughts too, i don't feel i need to give her as long off as last year but a nice break, out 24/7 before the weather gets bad and we get some t/o restrictions will be good for her.

I'm the only one who events on my yard so maybe i just feel this way as there is so much more involved and a more strenuous level of work; 3 disciplines in one day/ the canter work/ the galloping etc
 
Absolutely. I give all my horses holidays, even my 16yo boy in medium work. I think they really appreciate it, it gives them time to unwind and relax their bodies. Can you imagine if you had to go to the gym every day for the rest of your life? Youd jump into barbed wire.
 
I really would like to give my 5yo connie a holiday this winter but after giving him 2 weeks of 'quieter ridden work' I've had to bring him back into full/hard work as he just takes the mick too much when leading in hand. Started rearing and galloping off etc
 
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