What standard should a horse be when it reaches 5 yrs old?

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fruity

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My 4 yr old is coming on really well,i'm going to post some decent videos when i get a chance, anyway we are now doing walk,trot and canter in a fairly balanced way,she's popping x poles and small uprights (up to 2ft 3) confidently.We basically started her again from scratch before xmas as she had sat in a field rotting for a year apart from the odd random hack when i got her in August and it took us from aug-middle of december to stop her being a nightmare in the school,kicking out,dropping the shoulder,rearing,bucking,you name it she did it. So is she at the right level for her age concerning basic schooling,she sometimes falls in on circles and theres still a long way to go but do you think we're on the right track? she's v.green still and i'm taking things v.slowly with her as she is a horse for life! What things should she ideally be doing at this stage???
 
It really depends on the horse & how mature she is. Some take a long time to grow into themselves. I don't do much more jumping than you are doing with 4 year olds and I do a lot of schooling out on hacks. Lots of everyhting really. I find that keeps them interested.

I would take her to some local shows this year & see how she gets on.
 
It totally depends on the horse, what ur doing/plan to do with her and the rider. My mare took a long time to develop due to back problems while one I took on at the same time as her was back with his owner and competing (low level) after 7 months.

The best thing u can do is get some lessons on her to get some more opinions etc.
 
I'd be doing lots and lots of hacking (with good company) and letting her see what the big wide world has to offer. bridges, water (if you can get to a ford great), people with umbrellas, natural jumps like fallen logs (if they're safe). Let her go in an indoor school, a couple of shows (indoor and outdoor).

I wouldnt be worrying too much about her falling in, depedant on breed she may still have lots of growing to do. Just try and keep consistent and work towards having a horse that will hack out, travel, and work quietly.
 
Totally depends on horse. I like to bring mine on slowly. A good 5yo for me would have been backed at 4 or 5, perfect manners on the ground at everything, and walk / trot / canter / trot over pole.

By 8 I'd them them to be a brilliant all rounder.
 
ps I think you're doing a great job too. I would take it slowly as well
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We hack out at least twice a week although at the mo we are concentrating on the school as thats where her issues are. I think we are doing ok so far,am taking her out for a short drive to a manege up the road soon to get her used to travelling and a different arena, thanks for all your comments,think we are on the right track.
 
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