What would you do in my shoes? Help!

[Amaretto]

Uno is rising 5, his flatwork is good, he can pop a small course, he's great to hack etc. My plan when I bought him was to do all his training myself, which has pretty much been the case from backing to now (though he spent a couple of weeks at my trainers in November whilst I was busy at work).

I wanted to do all his 'firsts', such as his first test, first competition showjumping course etc, however my plans might need to be amended a little due to my injury (I suffered a compression fracture of my L4 vertebrae in early December).

I've been told not to ride for 6 months, which means I can't further Uno's education from the saddle, though I intend to do some from the floor through long reining, lunging etc.

But in terms of his overall education, what would you do? Don't really want him to have no ridden work for 6 months...I have an idea how I am going to approach the issue, but just wondered what you would do in my shoes?

Just to add...Uno is fab to load, clip, shoe etc....so I was thinking more in line with his training, rather than him learning all the grown up management stuff, as he seems to accept these things without any fuss.

Thanks.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Sorry to hear about your back. If you want him ridden then I would look for a sharer or a loaner.

 

[Cazza525]

I would personally 'turn him away' for 6 months whilst I recovered.

You have to look on it that you have the rest of your lives together and 6 months is really not very long in the grand scheme of things.

When you are better, you can start work with him and be proud of yourself for doing all the work with no other help. You have next year to introduce him to competing.

A great saying....'another day,another doller'!

 

[Cliqmo]

It sounds like the perfect time to turn him away to me too

 

[mickey]

If he loves/thrives on work, then I would long rein/lunge myself and possibly get someone experienced to hack him out. This is what I did when I broke L2 and had titanium rods implanted. I had 6 months off too. My horse was 8 so was well established, but he is a horse that appears unhappy with no work.
At 5 I (personally) would definitely not want a sharer or a loaner. As you say, you want to do a lot of his education yourself. I thought about part-loaning mine, but when I thought about it I realised that I can be quite adamant about doing things my way and also would be a bit jealous if you know what I mean!
If he doesn't especially need work (in his mentality I mean) then you could turn away.