Young horses and work commitments?

[Mollymillymoo]

Hello guys!

Right I might be in a position to buy a new horsey this winter/next spring and I want to plan ahead...

I have seen some lovely looking youngsters on the Lynwood Stud website(about 2 years old) and it got me thinking about the posibilities of buying a youngster to bring on. I would obviously get a professional to help when it comes to the breaking in but I've had a very green four year old before so have a foggy memory of how to bring on babies once they're broken.

The main thing is the amount of time I would have for said new horse... My job is very time consuming, I leave at 6.45am and get back about 8pm ish... I would be able to muck out in the evening and my mum said she'd help by turning in/out, and I can do handling in the evenings. Howeveeer, when it comes to the horse being broken in I won't be able to ride in the winter evenings in the week as we don't have a floodlit arena. Weekends and a few months over the summer will be fine but I know it would need more riding than that to come on and not be a loon! How many people would be willing to share a baby? Would it be more sensible to put in livery for the first 6 months (there's a very good one nearby) and have it ridden in the week by a professional?

What experiences do you all have of having a youngster and having commitments that prevent you riding in the week?

Thanks in advance

Milly

 

[JVB]

Well I bought a 3yr old several years ago and managed to back and train it around a full time job with help from a trainer who I had weekly 1 hr sessions with. At the time I was teaching so also had early startes and late finishes and since moving jobs although work full time I have more time to spend with the horses (I have two).

I bought a youngster as it was always something I wanted to do, go through the process of bringing on and training - and I have loved it. it's been hard and has taken probably much longer to develop her and reach the stage where we are competing.
My mare was quite difficult though, she is sharp and quirky and this made it more difficult, if you go for a youngster really look for sweet temprament(sp?) and one who will be biddable, I learnt the hard way and when buying focussed more on build and confirmation, she is s weetie to handle but hard to ride - just her nature.

Anyway, I would say it's doable just be prepared that it could take you longer to produce doing it on your own with help.

Good luck

 

[millitiger]

i don't think you will have any issue with working the youngster consistently while it is light enough and then turning it away when it is too dark in the evenings.

i have done this with mine for the last 3 years and it actually works well as they get a good break over winter.

however, this week i have moved both youngsters to a yard with facilities to ride in the week as the oldest is a rising 6yro and i feel is starting to fall behind her age group by missing 5 months of work every year.

 

[Faro]

I did it - three times. With a full time job, two part time jobs and no facilities. (And if I had more than my 8 acres or less than my current 5 horses, I would certainly do the same again)

The only way I managed it, though, was because the youngsters all lived out all year, as part of a stable herd - they got as much exercise as they needed, were given the freedom to be themselves, and were worked not to a strict routine, but as and when I had time. Not only was living out healthier for them, but it was the only way I could cope as well, because of my working hours, which could be (and still are) somewhat erratic. Yes, one night they would be seen to/fed at 6pm, the next night it might not be until 11pm (but of course, being used to that, mine simply don't get worked up at all if there's a break in the routine and if their feed isn't there at the exact minute - and I see that as a distinct advantage).

They've all matured into happy, healthy, non-problematic horses (although not without their own individual quirks!) and yes, maybe they're not as far along in their schooling as the average horse of a comparable age - but I don't mind at all - they're not for sale, there's no rush, I'm achieving as much and more than I ever planned for them, I love them and enjoy them - and yes, I win a few prizes with them as well.

Don't let anyone pressurise you into thinking your horse "must" be doing this by so-and-so age. Horses, as we all know, don't play by the rules. Unless you're desparate to produce the horse to sell on, then really, what's the rush?