Youngster Tough Choice

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Pink Gorilla

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I have a rising 3yr old who is booked in to get started under saddle spring of 2027. I have however had a change in circumstances and no longer have him and my other horse at home with me. We are now on livery with no arena. So I'm worrying I may now have to sell my youngster, as I'm not sure I'll have the time to keep him in consistent enough work after breaking, due to myself working and having my children throughout the week and only having hacking available (although there is an arena I can hire down the road). Realistically, what is the minimum a 4yr old warmblood could be ridden per week over the winter? I've always been told they need consistent riding most days, although fairly short sessions. Spring/summer won't be an issue. But it's the lack of daylight and the extra yard jobs in the winter I'm worrying about. When I initially bought him I lived on a farm with my husband and the horses lived at home with me, but that all went pear shaped last year. I bought him as a 5 month old and would be devastated to have to sell him, as he's been so rewarding.
 
It’s way too early to know, a lot will depend on the horses temperament and also the livery set up. It will be much much harder (and not fair on the horse) if you have significantly restricted turnout in winter. If that’s the case you would be better finding 24/7 grass somewhere and just giving winter months off.
If you have reasonable turnout and horse is sensible enough, then there probably isn’t a minimum really.
 
I've backed and brought on youngsters with no facilities- I think if you can keep him in consistent work for a few months in the summer, then turning away for the winter shouldn't be a problem. You can always enlist a little help to bring him back into work in the spring if need be!
I think that just/primarily hacking in their first year or two of work can really help them, as they have a chance to build up the strength without too many tight turns to strain their joints.
As above, this does require that you have decent winter turnout (or if you can afford to pay someone to hack out for you during the week to keep him exercised when turnout is limited).
 
Do you have decent turnout? Many 4yo benefit from some downtime so if you're aiming for backing in Spring, gentle riding over summer / autumn then turn away winter i think that would be ok
 
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