What do I do with this horse....

S

scattynuttymare

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 December 2007
Messages
390
Location
Essex / suffolk boarder
Visit site
A friend got a horse from a dealer before Xmas and then had to take it back as it was leathal. Swapped for another gelding. Anway now she's decided she doesn't have the time or money for it and has given him to me along with the money towards his feed and shoes etc (I don't pay extra livery for him) and I'm doing the main bulk of the work with him treating him like my own.

Anyway he is 3 years 9 months and apparently was a ride and drive horse before. He is so laid back and easy to do for a youngster, in every way, its like he's old before his time. I don't know where to start with him. I've never had a ride and drive before let alone a youngster with his relaxed attitude.
 
[ QUOTE ]
he is 3 years 9 months and apparently was a ride and drive horse before.

[/ QUOTE ]

Before what!?!?! He's been ridden at driven at 3?! From your post, it sounds like he's been in (not light) work for a while. This causes a great amount of concern.....

Are you taking on this horse permanently, costs and all? If so, and if he has been worked as much as it seems, I would be tempted to turn him away for a while. What's the longer term plan for him?
 
I'm hoping she'll have him back once she finds cheeper livery for him - that was the main problem - where I am I pay a flat rate for any amount of horses so its not a big issue. If not I guess I'll keep him. We know nothing of his history apart from he has a foreign passport (so friend tells me I've not yet seen it) and dealer sold him as a ride and drive.
 
I have a work colleague in the US. They are riding and showing Quarter Horses and Tennasee Walking Horses as 2 year olds, they think we are stupid to wait until a horse is 4 to start proper work.

The racing industry break, ride and race horses as 2 year olds.

In Germany there are ridden competitions for 3 years olds.

All these people use the same arguement, would you let a child wait until they are 16 to start to learn to be a gymnast ? No of course not, they need to start early, in order to make the most of their gymnastic abilities.

Why wait until a horse is really physically and mentally strong at 4 before you start to ride them ?

As long as you are sensible about it, there is no reason why a well grown and well fed young horse should not start his education at 3.
 
What a nice friend you are. Personally I would insist buying him from her for a nominal sum - or she signs ownership over to you.

There's no say I would look after him, spend time and money etc. on him, and then merrily hand him back.

Sounds like she has realised that having a horse is not only expensive, but hard work too!
 
Well the fact that a horses skelital system isn't fully formed til it is 7 adn the fact that it can put strain on joints etc that can lead ot a shortened working life or the need to be on medications/suppliments! I read somewhere (think it was on here) about dressage horses having issues with legs adn having pain relief things set up so that they could be kept free from pain and keep working. Now if that isn't a big hint that working a horse hard and young is bad - I'm not sure what is! Ok so they can breed etc at a young age, but I mean - would you class a 12yr old human as an adult - they could easily breed but they just aren't ready for real work!

And dont human gymnasts have joint issues? I have not seen a normal looking high level gymnast - especially not women - it messes with your growth/body! So will hard work for a young horse.

But OP, I'd turn this horse away for a bit, let it relax and grow up.
 
Tracey- i would just like to point out how many of those youngsters actually break down before they reach four years old. I think racing at two is not that fair.

I worked at a pet crem and we have a huge number of young horses through due to racing, there is a huge wastage from them breaking down so early.
 
We have a 27 year old welsh cob who was broken at 3 and is still fit sound and working.

The problem IMO is people don't always care for horses properly and don't have the knowledge to know how much or what to do with youngsters when they are broken.
 
Yes, QHs are backed as two year olds, but just taught the basics and then turned away. At three, they're taught a bit more and might go to the odd show if they're particularly mature, but then they're usually turned away again for the winter.
They don't do any real work or competitions until they're four, and even then may only be ridden twice or three times a week interspersed with turnout.
I think if I'd got a horse that was rising four and it had been in work since backing, I'd take advantage of the spring weather and turn it away for a couple of months at least.
And beware...the ones that are quiet at four are usually little monkeys at five!
 
LOL, this sounds like one of those p*ss take stupid questions from Arwen's debates post the other day!! Erm... put it in a field and tell the owner to make her bloomin mind up.
confused.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top