what is your definition of ridden away

[Brambridge04]

I was planning on giving my mare few days off then going for couple of short hacks and then a week or so off.....also she has done so far is walk n small trot with ne riding in paddock.

A few women at yard have said now shes been backed and ridden away i should be giving her a few weeks off now.......

What do you think?

 

[celia]

I think it depends completely on the horse. If she's happy with everything you've done and seems comfortable with the pace you're going at then I would keep doing as you are and wouldn't bother with a break at all. However, if she's inclined to be stressy or has felt over-faced at all in her training then a break to chill out and let what she's learned sink in could be good for her. Ultimately you know your horse and it's up to you what you do with her! Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[TheMule]

I would keep her quietly working, I dont think turning away at this stage unless she's having a growth spurt would be beneficial.

 

[Brambridge04]

I was more thinking of a few days off, as i start my new job tomorrow, and she's had very hectic week, she had vet for jabs, farrier, physio and has done her first real bit of being ridden (me riding and not being led) as well as walked out on the road in hand etc....

My definition of ridden away would be her having walked and trotted, maybe some canter, and hacked out.....not having had a few gentle walks around the field.....

 

[Brambridge04]

Anyone else?

 

[miss_bird]

I would expected walk, trot, and canter, not completely balanced but at least responding to the leg so going forward into canter.
Would also expect them to have been ridden out on the road and had a bit of experience.
Well that is what i do with mine before turning them away, it takes different amounts of time with each horse and you will know when it is time for her to have a break

 

[JanetGeorge]

My definition of ridden away would be her having walked and trotted, maybe some canter, and hacked out.....not having had a few gentle walks around the field.....

When I describe a youngster as 'backed and ridden away'. he/she has done a couple of weeks under the rider in the school - and will walk, trot and canter calmly on both reins (albeit still very unbalanced and relying a lot on voice aids.) It would have also done 2-3 weeks hacking out, solo or with a quiet companion - or both - on both quiet-ish roads and in woodland.

And we wouldn't normally turn them away at that stage. If it's a visitor, it's ready to go home and our recommendation would be to keep the horse hacking out quietly for at least another 4-6 weeks. If it's one of ours - to be sold - then we would hack it most days, and do 10 minutes in the school twice a week before or after an easy hack. I would only turn them away if they had a growth spurt (or if we were frantically busy!) Better to keep them ticking over quietly - that might mean the odd few days off - even a week off - but not much more.

 

[Maesfen]

Agree with Janet completely as anything less hasn't learnt/done a lot and would not be ready to go on with another rider; it would still need to be taught a lot more before it can be ridden out alone.
From your description OP, it sounds as if yours has a way to go before you/they can say it's been ridden away, it's hardly started in the conventional use of the term 'ridden away'.

 

[Brambridge04]

See thats what i thought, she's had a walk and trot with me riding round the field a few times, and been a angel this last week, i started new job today so i'm working slightly longer hours as on a training course so she was going to have mon to fri off, and the yard politics began when i mentioned this.....

She has done so well, and im so proud of her! x