Work load for a 4 yr old

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DipseyDeb

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Reading some recent threads has got me thinking...Charlie is 41/2 he was backed about 5 or 6 months age by previous owners..in that time he started jumping and did his 1st cross country comp. I bought him about 6 weeks ago. he is one of the sweetest natured horses I have met, quite laid back and easy going. As he has a very immature rear end (looks a bit like a cut and shut,) I have taken his work back one or two notches, gone back to basics walk and trot work hacking loose schooling and lunging! he is beginning to take shape and use his back end, I haven't jumped since he came to me, just some poles on the ground.
My question is, would you expect him to be doing more for his age, should I be expecting more, or do you take things slow with your youngies??
 
I bought a just turned 4 year old ish who, before i got him, in ireland had done xc and sj as a 3 year old :O He had a really small back end as well, his front end was huge!
i think what your doing is just right for a 4 year old! its good as it will make him more supple and build up the muscle :)
 
I think your right to take it down a gear, if he still looks immature I'd go back to basics and build up his fitness/muscle slowly, mostly with hacking and hill work. Maybe one day in the school (if you have access to one) :)
 
well i've had my 4yo for around 8 months now and i do everything with him and he loves it! i've had him competing on a 90m corse and he got 3rd and nobody could beleive he was four i would just do what you feel is ready for you and your horse. good luck! x
 
I think less is more! What you're doing is fine. And perhaps an occasional jumping lesson over low easy jumps.

A pro would do much more, but they are aiming for financial reward, and will ditch horses that don't make it without a second thought.

My friend bought a 5yr old that had done grade B - nearly grade A BSJA, but it totally "melted down" at age 6 - mentally it had done too much too soon.

Some youngsters get away with competing etc. too soon, most are better to mature gently...x
 
I do think it depends on the individual horse and if you feel your boy is looking a bit immature then you have done the right thing backing it down a notch till he is more developed.

My 4 yr old is currently worked 4-5 times a week, one lunging session over poles on a very large circle to help develop his bum and topline, 3-4 schooling sessions or hacks doing different things. He is jumped around twice a month and goes out competing at prelim. Although he is currently having a few weeks as a break because he has been so good.
 
it fully depends on the individual horse, at four i had taz out to common rides and competeting up to 2"9 as it was what he felt comfortable with he has now just turned five a few months ago, and we are still going strong he loves his job, on hacks we just wander round on our own for the first half hour and then he picks up and gets all excited he only gets one or two days of a week as he enjoys his work, some people may disagree but there are some horses i know who are out common riding and hunting at the age of four every weekend and they have worked like this for the past ten years and are still loving there job.
 
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