3yr old

[shell81]

hi all I bought a 15.2 cob 6 months ago on his passport his dob 1 jan 2010 ive done some research and found he was born end of april 2010 when I bought him 6 months ago he was already broken and had been since dec 2012 which meant he was broken at 2 and a half being ridden everyweek and schooled with his prev owner as she didn't no that he was only that age when she bought him I have only rode him a handful of times since I bought him as he keeps having growth spurts I was going to turn him away till spring next year then bring him back but people on my yard keep saying he needs riding he is only 3 yrs 7 months and I feel he has had to much done with him I have all the time in the world to ride him but with people saying I should be doing things with him what doyou all think? he is a big boy very bum high again at the minute I don't want to spoil him and would rather him be a baby till next year and then bring him back into work advice please thanks

[pippilongsocks]

hello,i have a youngster the same age as yours i have just started to back her now will walk trot and canter on her in the school twice a week and hack her twice a week shes really mature build wise not bum high she looks like a six yr old!,think i will turn her out after xmas for a break and get her back in around april time.if i were you i would turn your boy out now as hes done more work than mine.good luck with him x

[fanfarefan]

Poor chap , i think you are absolutely right to turn him away until he has had a break and grown up all the very best x

[richvale]

I agree with fanfare fan.  I have a 3 year old section b colt who I had backed earlier this year.  He was broken and going nicely within 5 weeks.  We got him home and turned him away but comes in at night and not done anything with him so that he can mature until the new year.  Hope this helps. 

[sarahp]

I'd turn him away for the winter if I was in your position. And when they're bum high they can often lose their movement and go clumsily which won't help him either!

Do what you think is right for you and your horse, don't be swayed by others if you don't agree with them!

[piaffe]

Another vote for turning him away. Give him the winter to mature. My lad grew and matured so much in his 3rd winter I hardly recognized him come Spring. We backed him only when we felt his mind and body were in a more mature place. I was told constantly to back my lad at 3. I knew he wasn't ready. Do what you think is right for him and if that means bringing him back in to work at 4 or even 5. Its your choice you know whats best for him x

[shell81]

Thanks you all so much for your comments I got him end of may I've rode him a handful of times he hasn't been rode now for about 3 months he is very clumsy legs everywhere and he's a big chunky boy ill post a pic for you to see he keeps having big growth spurts he was just over 14.2 when I got him in may he's now standing at 15.2 I feel he had way to much done with him before I bought him so that's why I've turnes him away he goes out all day and comes in at night just wanted other peoples advice as people on the yard said I should be doing things with him but I don't feel he is ready and believe babys should be allowed to be babys he's only 3 and I have all the time in the world to ride him why rush him thanks all much appreciated x x

[nici]

Trust your instincts Shell and don't feel pressured by other people to rush before your lad is ready. Our 3yo is still a field ornament and will be until sometime next year. His 4yo full brother, still owned by his breeder, is just being started now, as he is only ready now, so I'm thinking it may be next summer for our lad. The kids have sat on him and ridden him bareback in a headcollar a few times but we'll wait til next year to do anything more.

[shell81]

Thanks nici I don't feel he is ready to do anything more yet I'm going to do what I think is right for him and that's leave him till next year see if he is ready then does my head in when people rush babys they should be allowed to mature I will prob do same as you wait till next spring see how he goes then xx

[sarahp]

Daughter bought a coloured 1/4 Clyde as a youngster who couldn't work out where his legs went, tripped over trotting poles, the lot, but turned out to be the most fantastic XC horse when grown up and matured. He'll get there!

[shell81]

Thanks sarahp I'm convinced my boy has clyde in him he's going huge lol with masses of bone he is so clumsy takes all his time putting one foot in front of the other my boy same when he running round field he's constantly falling over as his legs are everywhere lol x

[brt]

I think whatever the age they need to be turned away at some point, Sponge has been broken and ridden away by Nici and Co. but he is now back home with me for the winter to be turned away. He is 7yrs old and will go back to them in April to start his ridden career.

[victoria264]

I totally agree to turn him away for winter!! Poor boy having so much done with him being so young.. i have only started to get my welsh D mare ridden and she is rising 6! And shes took to it this time, tried when she was younger and she was having none of it! You will know when he is ready to start his ridden career again

[remianddodge15]

Nov 13, 2013 9:32:01 GMT sarahp said:

Daughter bought a coloured 1/4 Clyde as a youngster who couldn't work out where his legs went, tripped over trotting poles, the lot, but turned out to be the most fantastic XC horse when grown up and matured. He'll get there!

There's still hope for my cob then!!!!

I would definitely turn away - I got my boy as a 4 yr old (apparently!!) but he'd already done a lot (including being hunted in Ireland) and turning him away did the world of good

[ponymum]

I agree , if he is bum high , his physique isnt ready for work! Turn him away and bring him back next year , start with gentle hacking x

[sarahp]

Anyway, it's not nearly as much fun trying to ride in the winter - unless you want to go hunting. Nasty weather and very little daylight.

[Philippa]

Turn him away. Why are people so keen to get 3yr olds and hammer them. You are right in your thoughts. I'm trying to decide when to send my rising 4yr old for breaking as she keeps having growth spurts and I'm not convinced she's mature enough yet she's sensible enough in her head but I don't want to spoil her as she is my future top class ridden pony. I'm more than happy to wait with her. I know where she will go to be broken it's just a case of when.

[shell81]

thanks for all your advice elmo is now having a well earned break he is out all day and in at night enjoying being a baby I will bring him back in to work the middle of next year if I think he is ready thanks all