Young horse

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N2019

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I have a 4 year old young horse. He’s reactive, lacks confidence and is sharp. Not nasty just young. He does in hand work. He’s moving to a professional for a year to be produced and I’m hoping that with time and by going to some competitions that he will mature, become more confident and relax. Has anyone else experienced a young horse like this?
 
Yes, my saintly Charlie Horse did his first winter here with me totally unable to use 1/4 of the arena as he'd turn and run. He acted like an ar$e! But, after training, he made the most bombproof and fabulous horse who could pop round a BE 100 or take a proper novice for a trot lesson. He took a proper novice for their first beach ride, first XC lesson, taught my husband to ride, taught little kids. Totally dependable, after training and maturing.
 
Red-1 said:
Yes, my saintly Charlie Horse did his first winter here with me totally unable to use 1/4 of the arena as he'd turn and run. He acted like an ar$e! But, after training, he made the most bombproof and fabulous horse who could pop round a BE 100 or take a proper novice for a trot lesson. He took a proper novice for their first beach ride, first XC lesson, taught my husband to ride, taught little kids. Totally dependable, after training and maturing.
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That’s good to hear thank you. Gives me hope 🙏
 
Of course, your horse just sounds like a highly strung bred youngster. My Arab was very sharp, reactive and scared of everything. He’s now 10 and while he can still be all of the above (he’s an Arab!) he is generally easy to manage and confident, you just have to be patient, calm and confident handling them, don’t fall into the trap of being shouty and rough if you’re scared of them
 
Does he just do in hand work? Has he been backed? With a sharp / nervous one, I would want to make it clear to the Pro that I don't want him rushed but produced at a pace that suits him, in a way that prioritises making him more confident and gives him positive experiences of going out and about.
 
Just a normal 4yo. Big life change and sometimes they need their hand holding as they learn about life. I always think they are very sweet to back at 3yo as pretty weak and you are only doing a few weeks where you hack in company or ride round an arena in walk and trot so pretty easy for them. Then at 4 they need to do a little more and be independent so it’s not surprising it’s a bit of a shock and they haven’t yet learnt to trust their rider.
 
I mean…they’re all a bit nutty in their own way as youngsters. You get through it and get years of a lovely ride afterwards!
 
Any tips to get a 5 year old more confident.
He’s always keen to be up front hacking but really struggles handing alone- I’m working on this this winter- any tips? Long reining?

I also took him on a fun ride the other week- again, he wasn’t sure where to be and how to be..it was nervousness rather than excitement- I kept him moving but I want to help him be confident in himself and me. any tips helpful- I do do groundwork but maybe some inspiration on exercises 😀
 
Jester&Pie said:
Any tips to get a 5 year old more confident.
He’s always keen to be up front hacking but really struggles handing alone- I’m working on this this winter- any tips? Long reining?

I also took him on a fun ride the other week- again, he wasn’t sure where to be and how to be..it was nervousness rather than excitement- I kept him moving but I want to help him be confident in himself and me. any tips helpful- I do do groundwork but maybe some inspiration on exercises 😀
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If unconfident, I would hand walk, rather than long rein initially... or long rein with a friend walking alongside him so he doens't feel out by himself and panic due to that. I'd also do loads of ground work, clinics, hacking over winter and maybe some hunting if he feels up to it. You could also take him to XC courses and farm rides in hand so he can play on steps and ditches etc. If you're quite novice, then take a quiet insturtor with you who will support a kind and quiet way of training and the key to success with everything will be consistency.

Most importantly, give him time, but don't praise him for being scared, timing is key. Many horses 'learn' to be scared because they've been praised at the wrong time. He'll need you to be quiet and confident and always set him up to win... don't put him in situations to 'test' him if you've not propoerly prepared for them.
 
Take him out and hack alone. React to the world calmly, react to his spooks calmly; if he gets stuck don’t sit there and drive him forwards for ever - hop off and lead him past. If you don’t have a horse who trusts you enough to follow you past scary stuff then start with that at home.

Time and repetition builds confidence and trust. So long as the rider is competent and projects confidence and calmness.
 
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I spend a lot of time handwalking with my horses, and I think that helps. I like the exercise of walking myself, and it allows me to get them out before they're under saddle.

My 4 year old hacks alone brilliantly, but we've handwalked a lot, and I think that helped. It taught him to be apart from other horses in new places and how to explore on his own. Sure, he had me, but no other equines.

I think what you're describing is fairly common in young horses. Some are more hum ho than others, but you have to still have to install the confidence and experience component.

I do find that if you're relationship/training is strong in the basics and at home, you're odds of success off property are far greater. I know many believe in getting them out and about as soon and as much as possible, but I've done it at varying ages and stages over the years and I do wait until the horse feels ready. I think that's why I've had a few now that handle traveling so well. If you miss the ready component you might still be alright depending on the horses disposition.

It's just time and experiences. Mine is brave, and I've misinterpreted how much reassurance he actually needs because of that. I've noticed if he gets unsure or does a spook, my hand rubbing his withers/shoulder/neck does wonders. Maybe just to remind him that I'm there. We still get on with it, but I noticed that little thing is so significant to him.

I'm sure that yours will mature over time with proper training. Mine all have. It hasn't been a completely linear journey nor has it always followed the same timelines from horse to horse, but they do mature.
 
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