What are your 4 year olds doing?

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Patterdale

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Mine has hacked out today 🥳 so happy!

He was lightly backed (4 weeks away, walk trot canter) in august, then left in the field until today. Tacked up, walked for 5 mins then jumped on. 20 mins with a few trots, he was amazing! So happy, what a lovely level headed baby he is.

Just wondering where to go from here. Probably just 20 min hacks every 2-3 weeks then start properly once the weather improves.
 
Mine is hacking out, primarily in walk but going for some distance now after a slow build up. She is gaited, so we're building muscle and aiming for relaxation so it'll be easier for her to do the smooth saddle gait I want, not the 93 other options she throws at me. Waiting till thats set before I worry about canter, unless it happens by accident or something.

Just recently started going out alone although the little tyke has started challenging me as of this week, did a lot of spinning like a top in the road at the start of our hack yesterday 😬 I knew the good behaviour was too good to last! Always the way with youngsters, the baby baby ones are usually very amenable then they kick off a bit when they've gained some strength and confidence. She's largely speaking very good though so it'll settle down again. I hope. lol

She also does all sorts of silly trec type things too and some light schooling although imaginary shapes in a big sandpit are a bit confusing for her still!

Backed her last august (very lightly! literally stop go left right but lots on the ground beforehand), had ~2 months turned away then brought into work, been hacking out twice a week on average unless the weathers abysmal. She's been to a couple in hand shows, and is doing a short funride next weekend, plan is to walk the whole way but we'll see how wired she gets 😆
 
I am proud to say that I don’t have any this year 😃. What you suggested sounds fine though! I do 3x a week for little learning experiences aged 3, 4x a week learning about life/shows and getting a bit fitter aged 4, then actual work aged 5 incl longer hacks, bigger (but not huge) jumps, sponsored rides etc.

I am very jealous of your young one willing to stay in the field though. My rising 3 year olds have decided they are clearly adults now and are constantly begging to come out for a walk or be led off another pony when we hack. Which is cute, but…
 
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