what should be achieved in 3 months with youngster

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Toby773

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I am sending a youngster away to be started from absolute scratch, backed and basics put in place

Would you say 3 months is long enough? Know it various with temperament and behaviour so is a tricky one, so just generally.
 
I sent my 3YO away last October to be backed, she was there for 6 weeks and by the end, was able to lunge, walk, trot, canter in the school and hack around the farm alone and in company. She is quite sharp but not spooky or silly though.

She's back home now and doing really well, we've been cantering over a pole on the ground today
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I have only sent one horse away and the guy who did him said it'd take as long as it takes.

As you say temperament etc makes a difference.

There was a horse who came after mine and left before mine.
Mine took about 6 weeks. He could walk, trot, hack out in company (he was mega spooky, so didn't attempt alone), lunge and long rein.
 
may i ask who you are sending the youngster to?? i sent mine away and it took the girl 16 weeks to even trot...! it doesnt take 16 weeks just to trot!! be careful there are some people out there that have the gift of the gab!! and will tell u anything that they think you will want to hear!! good luck!
grin.gif
 
My 3yo (4 next month) is back from the guy I use (an international pro showjumper) and he is riding on well, hacking out, jumping an 80cm course clear and has also been around a 1m cross country course clear and loving every stride of it. He is riding in a mannerly fashion hacking on short hacks by himself but obviously v.spooky. A few bucks and sky larking but so pleased with him. He is now going out for a well-deserved rest and will be back in around May to do some 80cm 90cm show jumping in late summer.

He was never pushed, never hurried and that is how the pros do it otherwise they would never have anything ready for four year old jumping classes and eventing futurities etc.

This is my experience (several of mine done by this guy now and all super horses, one jumping in UK another Intermediate Eventing in UK). It may not suit some and I do not mean to start a debate !!
 
Forgot to mention, mine are all used to lunging and wearing tack and we sit up on them before they go off to finishing school
 
I think 3 months is more than enough. Of course it depends on the horse, but in 3 months I'd expect the horse to be popping happily round a small course of jumps at events by the end of it.

If you're close enough, make sure you check in perhaps weekly to gauge progress.
 
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