What to do with four year old now?

[tristar]

I'd borrow a saddle that fits. I'm not a believer in turning horses away. They grow up whether you do or you don't and it's only the UK, and maybe Ireland(?) that it's customary.


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this is what i would do, most horses don`t get enough work anyway

 

[tristar]

I totally support turning away when the horse is in quite an intensive regime. But mine are out on 11 acres 24/7, so he spends much of the week recharging I would think.
Hes already lost topline and got a grass belly as it’s a month since the saddle was ordered. I hate seeing them go to seed like this! Just want my new saddle now ?

some would`nt notice the change, you can see how he has changed, very frustrating

 

[Brownmare]

I seem to remember studies in racehorses showing that they were still at 90% of their previous fitness level 8 weeks after being turned away. If your horse is losing topline and getting a belly while out on 11 acres and being worked once a week I would suggest he may need worming.

 

[PatchyBabyHorse]

I seem to remember studies in racehorses showing that they were still at 90% of their previous fitness level 8 weeks after being turned away. If your horse is losing topline and getting a belly while out on 11 acres and being worked once a week I would suggest he may need worming.

That’s aerobic fitness in the one I saw, and 4-6 weeks.
It doesn’t just mean that they stay as fit as they were.
He’s been wormed . He’s had basically nearly a month off on good summer grass eating his head off in the sunshine and doing next to no work, I don’t think muscle loss and belly gain is unexpected.

Edited for coming across a bit brusque...!

 

[Tally05]

I'd long line and take out in hand until your new saddle comes. Groundwork, desensitisation, manners etc just to keep his mind going in the right direction. Id be aiming for shorter, more frequent sessions if you can though rather than one big one a week.

 

[Brownmare]

That’s aerobic fitness. And 4-6 weeks.
It doesn’t just mean that they stay as fit as they were.
I’m not worming him again. He’s had basically nearly a month off on good summer grass eating his head off in the sunshine and doing next to no work, I don’t think muscle loss and belly gain is unexpected.

No need to bite my head off, it was just a friendly suggestion and I am not privy to your worming schedule ? but FWIW any normal healthy young horse on 11 acres of good grass with company will spend a fair proportion of each day pratting about and playing so therefore will maintain fitness better than an older more laid back type.

 

[PatchyBabyHorse]

No need to bite my head off, it was just a friendly suggestion and I am not privy to your worming schedule ? but FWIW any normal healthy young horse on 11 acres of good grass with company will spend a fair proportion of each day pratting about and playing so therefore will maintain fitness better than an older more laid back type.

Sorry didn’t mean to bite your head off - I’m doing two things at once and reading that back it was a bit brusque ? sorry!

He sadly doesn’t have company at the moment. Which I hate.
Companion loan horse left. Too much grass for my small ponies (and he can’t join them in starvation paddock). I have youngsters arriving but not for 6 weeks.
I’ve advertised, I’ve even offered free livery for youngsters/retired horse but no takers. So sadly he’ll be on his own for the next few weeks

 

[Brownmare]

Sorry didn’t mean to bite your head off - I’m doing two things at once and reading that back it was a bit brusque ? sorry!

He sadly doesn’t have company at the moment. Which I hate.
Companion loan horse left. Too much grass for my small ponies (and he can’t join them in starvation paddock). I have youngsters arriving but not for 6 weeks.
I’ve advertised, I’ve even offered free livery for youngsters/retired horse but no takers. So sadly he’ll be on his own for the next few weeks

Not to worry, it's so easy to misinterpret tone in the written word ?
No company will make a big difference. I don't suppose you are in South Wales? If so I have an arsehole 3yr old I could offload on you for a month or so ?

 

[PatchyBabyHorse]

No north....quite remote which I think is why I’ve had no takers! Very frustrating though! You’d think they’d have been queuing up!