When did you start to ride your mare

M

magic104

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www.jc-countryside.co.uk
We bought Mo back into wrk about 6wks after she foaled 6 June. It started with 15/20mins & has built up to her having a lesson for 40/60mins. Today her son chose to stay with the yearling while she was bought out of the paddock, so he was left behind! I was very nervous as in the past I have always put the foals in a box which I think is the safest option. Anyway neither showed any concern, Mo behaved very well & seemed quiet happy. Her son & Prince were waiting at the gate but neither were doing anything but standing waiting for her. I am wondering now if it would be safe to take her round the village which is about 20mins ride, just to add some variance to the work. I am not planning on weaning until about Dec, but would like the mare fittened now while we have the longer days & milder weather. Once the clocks change in Oct it is going to be harder to hack out so means more work in the school. I am expecting most owners wont be doing what we have chosen to do, but would be interested in other thoughts on this.
 
I am brining one back into work this winter but wont start work till we have weaned the foal as all the mares live out together and too much hassle to try and bring her and foal in and would worry about leaving the foal without her
 
Up until yesterday the foal just went in the school with her or the field, but with the hard ground I have discouraged her from going into the feild. This just makes it boring for rider & mare, which I why I am wondering if we could take a chance of taking her our on a hack. I just could not believe how unconcerned they were. I am not tempted to wean early, but if he is happy to stay with his mate while mum goes on a hack I might just separate them at night come Dec. My vet said it was unusual for brood mares to be ridden but that it did them no harm so long as they were happy with it.
 
iv never personally ridden a mare untill weaning and usually i give them a break after weaning before riding on again and i personally would rather not ride my mares whilst they still have a foal on them as i just think its too much for them but i suppose if your mare and foal are happy with it then i suppose its ok
 
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