What would you be execting a rising 4 year old to do .....

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

I am not talking about those that are not backed yet

With regards to flatwork ..... possible pop over a fence etc .

Many thanks

Col x

 

[soph21]

I was doing ridden showing with him

I did a couple of little clear rounds etc.
If you feel she's big enough and mature enough, go for it

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

and yes I mean expecting *

doh !

 

[naza]

when i bought my four, she could walk, trot, canter, quite a natural outline anyway, and had jumped upto about 2ft/2ft6 odd jump, and had hired out a SJ course and gone over tiddy. then when i got her i took her out to some clr rounds and dressage etc. tbh she felt ready, and shes the type of mare that needs to be doing something

 

[Munchkin]

Depends on type, breed, maturity, attitude, workload, how long backed... etc etc etc

 

[MagicMelon]

I don't back horses until they are actually 4 (but will do ground work like lungeing etc. as late 3yo's) whereupon I expect them to be able to walk/trot/canter pretty quickly. After that I'll introduce jumping small courses.

 

[Halfpass]

It depends when they are actually 4. 6 months can make alot of difference.
If 4 in Jan I would be hacking 2/3 times per week with some light schooling. I personally wouldn't jump till their 5th year. If 4 in middle of year I would probaby be considering turning away for a few months.
Having said all that if this is Missy we are talking about, who in her attitude and build seems very mature, I would probably just carry on with some gentle hacking and light schooling over the winter (probably no more than 3 times a week) then up the work come spring / summer. Maybe some small dressage comps or little ridden shows just to increase her experiences in the spring.