Should I carry on as I am?

[Hayleyb277]

Hi all

My 5 year old homebred (bred in the purple to showjump) is a little backward in his mind and attitude (he's still babyish). He was immature bodily so was left until well into his fourth year to be backed and was then turned away and then sent to Richard Barton who did a brilliant job of schooling him on for me for 6 weeks. However, I was told that he isn't going to be 'easy' to jump and although he has ability he will need to be taken slowly.

Now I am concentrating solely on flatwork for the moment, wanting to get him going forward and 'upward' in rhythm before I start considering jumping him. I want to also get him happy jumping loose before I go and 'hamper' him.

My idea is to get him going ready for next year when he's six and then bring him on. This has happened with a half brother who is entire and only started jumping this year as a six year old with Alec Trickett, he has won around £400 so far. However a friend who has showjumped at top level for many years and recently retired has said that Lenny should be getting out now and jumping at shows and should be practically grade B by now and that I'm to stop 'molly coddling' his mind and get on with it.

So what do you all think should I just bash on or carry on as I am?

Hayley

[KarlR]

Too many people push immature horses into jumping before they are ready, including those who should know better.

Time spent on establishing flatwork and self carriage is never time wasted. People seem keen these days to get a horse doing everything at an early age, but pushing a horse that isn't ready in terms of it's understanding, balance, or muscle development is in my opinion selfish.

Don't be bullied - a year spent doing flatwork is probably a better start than a year attempting to "hot house" him.

[Lancashire Lass]

Here, Here, well said Karl, I couldn't have put it better myself!!!

Why do people seem to be in such a flippin' rush nowadays to 'get on with it' as they put it??!! I'm assuming he's got quite a large frame and as you say is immature both mentally and physically even though he is more than ready in alot of peoples' eyes to be 'doing something now!'.

You know your horse better than anyone, his mentally capabilities at present and also the fact that he JUST ISN'T READY, and you stick to your guns.

SLOW IS FAST in my book and it's worth all the effort put the foundations of correct and balanced schooling in first and foremost before asking him to tackle any form of jumping. After all, flatwork will be your building blocks to good, self carriage, balance and suppleness, just a few vital components needed for the world of jumping, don't you agree!!!!?

[Hayleyb277]

Thankyou for your comments Karl and LL, although Lenny certainly does look huge (a big 16.3) and no longer immature bodily, he is so damned clumsy (he just can't get used to shoes) and yes Lancashire he needs a lot of work on his suppleness and indeed his concentration span (about 30 seconds at the moment).

He must seem a bit overdressed as I have to work him in Over Reach boots for any flatwork as he oversteps quite dramatically and if not forging actually catches his heel. He is in brushing in front as he finds shoes cumbersome (only his third set so far) and catches his legs, and now I've got a sausage boot for behind as he is catching the insides of his coronet. He is very soft in his mouth though and is only ridden in a thick vulcanite straightbar eggbutt snaffle with cavesson and NO martingale - he doesn't need one he has beautiful head carriage.

When I took him out on the road last Friday for the first time I actually put knee boots on as he has a tendency to trip himself up too often - the experience was pretty hair raising as well, the pony we were with must have thought him an absolute nutter.

I'm not in any hurry myself as my thoughts are that he has the rest of his life ahead of him for competing and it's not as if I'm looking to sell him - never. It seems that the poll is in agreement 15 people say keep as I am, however there does seem to be one person that agrees with my friend I'd love to know what their thoughts were.

Hayley

[M-A]

Greetings,

I agree with the posts to date. Horses often do not fully mature until they are 8 years old. I believe that the time you "lose" now will be regained in his latter years, and more some. Many horses that are forced on as youngsters, are burned out, either mentally of physically by their early teens. I have a mare who was brought on slowly as a youngster, and is still competing, and enjoying it, at the grand old age of 22! She will have a quieter life when she decides.

Have faith in your own instincts. You know your horse the best.

[Palomino]

I don't know much about youngsters but I do know that in area of riding to do it well you need a supple, obedient and responsive horse. Whether jumping, hacking or schooling.

Don't rush into jumping, doing it too early may discourage him instead of incouraging him. Once you flatwork is to a good standard on your horse jumping will be a lot more easier for your horse.

Palomino.