What would you expect a 4-5yo to do?

Depending on what I was buying the horse for I would expect it to be happy hacking out alone and in company, schooling nicely, able to jump a small course and possible have a few small outing under his/her belt.
 
Well, I think that's kind of how long is a piece of string, but if I tell you what mine is doing it might help!

My mare is just 5 last week, and she hacks alone and in company at walk trot canter, works in a reasonably consistent outline in all 3 paces in the school, just started some leg-yielding (started doing this months ago but she's only just picked it up!!) She has competed dressage, showjumping and xc up to 90cms, jumped courses of 1.05 at home and a single fence of 1.25m but Im very careful not to over jump. I only really jump once every 3-4 weeks and a few days before a comp as a refresher. Done some county level ridden showing and has her first BE90 comp next month.
Just to add, she is an exracer, and had a 6month break at rising 4 coming straight out of racing, then from October last year to Jan had another 3 months, as we packed a lot into last year and I feel it's important to give youngsters a break physically and mentally when they are working hard. Needless to say she has come back stronger than ever and hasn't forgotten a thing!

As a general rule I would expect it to have done a few local shows, be happy to hack alone and in company, be able to jump a small course and be starting to establish a contact in the school. Please note: just my opinion!!
 
Im thinking of selling my rising 5yo tb this summer, so was basicly wondering what a she should be able to do. Last year she was walking and trotting with good balance and we had just started working on her canter. She was also popping small jumps, including some with fillers (nothing more than 2 foot). She has since had the winter off (late september to february) and i am just bringing her back into work. She is very good on the lunge and is currently being lunged over cavalletti and jumps (about 1m). She hasnt been to any shows since I bought her (march last year) but she was apparently shown as a 2yo. She also hasnt been hacked since I got her but I know she was hacked by her previous owner, and I hacked her when I went to try her and she was very good with cars ect. Do you think this is about right for her age?
 
Lace, who is 5 today and is a tb cross has been doing general schooling (outline in all 3 paces but this goes to pot at competitions and simple lateral work, lots of leg yielding etc), show jumping (only up to about 95cms), xc (again nothing huge), lots of hacking, she does this alot but it really builds her confidence both in company and alone and she has also been hunting.
On the ground she is doing everything the older horses do, particularly putting them to shame when it comes to loading!
She is aimed at BE at the end of the season - end of july, september time.
We've taking things slow with Lace so I would expect other horses to have done lots more.
 
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bit of how long is a piece of string Q.....if you are looking to sell her as a all rounder/hacker type then as long as she can walk/trot/canter, pop a small fence and hack safely thats fine.

if you are selling her a specific jumper/dressage horse she probably needs to be a bit more advanced ideally.like FD i would expect a 5yo to be working at elem level at home and maybe pop a change each way, or for jumping to be jumping disc and newc as the 5yo classes are 1.10m.
 
I think it depends on the horse and the person buying it.

If you're looking for a top level competition prospect you'd want it to have had some experience of competition and some good results. If you're wanting a happy hacker then nice manners, mentally mature and good to hack and school is the priority.

I dont think they necessarily have to have done a lot at 5, some people like a blank canvas to work on themselves.. There is always someone looking for a horse at whatever level you are selling.
 
well my horse will be 5 in may and was backed quite late (easter last year)- he is working novice level DR at home (partly because of lack of effort on my part really :rolleyes:) and jumps around 90cm. he's done some BD, and low level SJing and his first hunter trial last week... :) i would say what she is doing will be reflected in the price and market you aim her at :) but generally people would rather 5 year olds have done less than too much...or thats what i think anyways....:)
 
My four year old was broken in Ireland, so quite young I would expect. She has hunted in Ireland and in England. She has established paces but had done very little schooling. I have only had her about a month so have hacked her out on her own and in company and have spent a lot of time in the school working on straightness. She is a quick learner so has picked up the schooling side of her work very quickly and works in a fab outline naturally, with a very good rythmn. All in all she is a bit of a star. I think I was very lucky to find her especially as she was not even the horse I went to view!!
 
If I was buying a 4-5 year old I would rather a happy confident youngster albeit a bit green but willing with good manners that will load, hack out with or without company, stands nice for the farrier etc. Can leave in a field without him/her turning themselves inside out if you bring their mate in. Also respectful of your space when leading and feeding.

For me manners are more important in a youngster as if the foundations are there you can build on them.
 
My gosh to whoever said working at elementary!?!?! :O

Well, my 5yo (last week) is very green. Came over from Ireland in December, having supposedly been backed in summer. I bought her working in walk, trot, canter in the school, in a vague sort of outline (but she had been ridden in draw reins for a few weeks before I got her) and hacking out alone, and popping a tiny x pole sweetly.

5 weeks on, she hacks out in company (not tried alone, apart from up and down the lane, but sure she'd be fine) and we're working in an outline in walk and trot in the school. Taken in back a step as we have found out that she bucks :p

Bit of a how long is a piece of string Q. I would rather take it slow with her etc than rush her and ruin her.
 
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