What are people up to with their 5yo's?

[Leo Walker]

I probably shouldn't have posted in this forum! I'm chuffed silly that my bolshy, wants to be rude 5yr old did bareback pony rides for my niece on Sunday. Watching him carefully carry her round the block made me happier than him winning any competition However, I do want him out and about next year so I shall pull my finger out and put the work in

 

[ellie_e]

Is anyone else guilty of comparing themselves to what a pro might be doing with their youngsters, rather than what is achievable when you're not a professional?! I seem to be. I need to learn to not expect so much of myself and him.

ME TOOO!!!! Glad im not the only one wondering why mine is jumping the 4yr old finals either!!
Mines 4, shes been xc schooling twice, done abit of showing, hacks by herself and in company, schooling well. She went to a pretty large local county show the other week where she was in her first ridden showing class, and the judge had to ride her!!
Shes also entered in for her first dressage test at a county show, where she will also do a ridden showing class, and possibly a little jump.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

My 5 year old pony is currently doing nothing. He seems to think that summer is the time to break and he would rather mooch round his paddock than work.

Prior to that over the winter he was hacking out nicely, learnt to canter in company on the gallops, attended his first fun ride where he behaved impeccably and I had started to hack him alone to lessons where he was learning to jump.

He is nothing more than a happy hacker as neither of us aspire to doing dressage but I would like to be able to take him to TREC and do some more fun rides.

 

[Bernster]

My 5 year old pony is currently doing nothing. He seems to think that summer is the time to break and he would rather mooch round his paddock than work.

Prior to that over the winter he was hacking out nicely, learnt to canter in company on the gallops, attended his first fun ride where he behaved impeccably and I had started to hack him alone to lessons where he was learning to jump.

He is nothing more than a happy hacker as neither of us aspire to doing dressage but I would like to be able to take him to TREC and do some more fun rides.

Sounds like he got off to a great start, so hopefully once he's recovered you can get out and have some more fun.

 

[Bernster]

I probably shouldn't have posted in this forum! I'm chuffed silly that my bolshy, wants to be rude 5yr old did bareback pony rides for my niece on Sunday. Watching him carefully carry her round the block made me happier than him winning any competition However, I do want him out and about next year so I shall pull my finger out and put the work in

Haha that is def a success! We're all at different stages but all busy comparing ourselves and wondering 'what if' it seems, and coming up short. Seems like an occupational hazard for horsey folks. I'm certainly guilty of feeling like mine would improve so much quicker and better with a decent rider, but hey ho, it's all about having fun with your own, whatever your level and goals. No point being competitive with others, enough to do just competing with ourselves and working on getting the best we can be

 

[redredruby]

Oh dear! This is embarrassing....I am still working on being able to trot in a straight line....he is very big (17hh) and just turned 5 in the summer. He reminds me of a giant puppy - when he gets distracted he will literally walk into things!

Over autumn and winter we will be schooling 2-3 times a week and then spend the rest of it hacking to build muscle and work on coordination. Hopefully by next spring he will know where he is putting his feet!

 

[Bernster]

Oh dear! This is embarrassing....I am still working on being able to trot in a straight line....he is very big (17hh) and just turned 5 in the summer. He reminds me of a giant puppy - when he gets distracted he will literally walk into things!

Over autumn and winter we will be schooling 2-3 times a week and then spend the rest of it hacking to build muscle and work on coordination. Hopefully by next spring he will know where he is putting his feet!

Cor who said anything about straight lines ? Hehe. They are like the holy grail surely? I'm busy doing squircles and wobbling along the centre line, but we have at least graduated to not bashing my leg into the outside fence from falling out through his shoulder. Ta-da! Softly softly catchy monkey and all that, especially with a big fell like yours.