to much to soon?

[JennJ]

what would you say is too much to do with a youngster, some people are been criticle of what were doing. we do a little parelli together basic stuff and also walking out at weekends but not doing anything hard. the parelli were doing is just stand then walk forward when asked using the rope to touch hime and walking back when asked about 10-20mins at a time if that depending on how good he is some people are saying its too much too young but hes taking to it well and others are saying do more i wont do more. just thought people on here could give me there opinions. i dont think its to much but then when people are saying things it makes me feel bad, what do u think be hounest i wont be offended:)

[KarinUS]

You probably get better responses if you give some more detail on the horse, age etc.

[holiday]

I would probually say you were doing the right thing as long as it isnt hard work. Just leading and teaching manners and road walking wont do any harm picking feet, grooming bathing etc will just make things easy when he is bigger. Dont make any lessons too long only 5 or 10 mins or he may get tired and fed up so leave it when hes behaved and finish on a good note!!!!

[shandy84]

It depends on the horses age, anything under three would be likely to find 20minutes a marathon :) mine are back in work after a winter off and are only taught for 20mins to half hour max as they switch off afterwards :)

[happy highlande]

What is the youngster's reaction - that is what matters, not the other people.
Does he come to you happily, concentrate on, ears forward, calm amd happy? Then does he go back out to his field happliy? Then what you are doing is OK.
Does he worry, get over excited, get tired or scream around the field afterwards or lie down and sleep for ages afterwards. Then it is not OK

All horses are individuals. What is good for a 4 year old warmblood living in a stable might not be good for a 4 year old Highland out 24/7. What is good for one Highland isn't good for another.

Providing you are taking into account that all horses have bone plates still fusing til about 6-8 years old, then do what your horse tells you is right for them, and watch and adjust as your horse learns and grows up.

And tell anyone who is trying to tell you what to do (not NR help - I mean them out there!) that it is your horse, and you know him/her best!!!

[JennJ]

thanks sorry i thought i put age in he's 8 months i wounder weather that changes people oppinions hes very happy even after weve done some 'work' he hangs around with me for cuddle (not treats, he doesnt get them) then we walk up the field together and he goes cantering off. we keep sessions short generally just at night before he goes in mess around in the yard. out walking we stick to soft ground walk only stop and eat grass at times, hes shows no sins of finding anything exerting some times we do parelli in the field and he gets breaks between we always finish on a good note.

[Morwenstow Stud]

To be blunt I wouldn't be expecting an 8 month old to be doing any work. At 8 months I would expect to be able to handle them ie groom, feet etc and lead and move over when asked etc. Most foals are only weaned between 5 and 8 months. IMO 20 mins work is far too much for an 8 month old. I would only give a 3/4yo 20 mins of parelli work.Beyond basic handling I don't expect anything from my babies until they're much much older.But this is just my opinion.

[JennJ]

Morwenstow Stud thank you i wante dhounest oppinions. he has issues with his feet thats mainly what where working on as i think it vital he is ok with them been handled for triming thats what most of our time is spent on and teaching basic manners and handling as he does like to think he's in charge. But thank you its amazing how people oppinions vary a lot tell me to do as much as i can as soon as i can whereas others say do as little as possible im not silly tho we wont be going on hour long hack or expecting him to lunge for a long time. thank you.

[happy highlande]

SOund like he doesn't see it as work - more a doffernet sort of herd game. I'd just say to watch the 'think he's in charge' bit - sometimes foals who are handled a lot can get over familiar - but it sounds as if you are aware of that.

Why not find some in-hand shows and take him for fun this summer? Provided you don't get hung up on results and just look for his reactions to the sights and sounds it can be fun.

[JennJ]

i really want to go to show its just the expence of transport ive asked at the local stables to inform me of shows they have so we can go sit at the side watch and perhaps take part, he a happy foal very willing and really enjoys human attention he goes to see everyone who goes in the field. some people have been giving him titbits which i explicitly told everyone not to so he now has a nasty note on jis door as he nipped me the other day part of it was mouthing but people encourage him. one lady at the yard told me he kicks the door when she feeds hers so she gives him horses hage:mad: :eek: erm thats teaching him top bang on door i dont think anyone on here could apprichiate how good he is with out seeing him he bahaves better than half the horses on the yard. sorry im just so proud of him i really hope we can gat to shows to experience the atmospher if nothing else, as for winning well if we won anything great if not he's still a winner in my heart we dont need a rosett to clear that up:D im sooo happy with him :D