ok to go on long hack with youngster?

Susara · #1 31st Jul 2006, 09:52 AM

My 3.5YO gelding is coming along quite nicely. I've recently moved him to a yard with more opportunity for hacking, as I don't want to bore him with too much arena work while he's young. This Saturday the yard is organising a long hack for everyone, about 3 hours. I'd love to join, but I'm worried that this might be too long for him.

This is a walking only hack. Like I said they plan on about 3 hours of on-horse time, we'll be breaking halftime for snacks. I expect some long slopes but no really steep hills or very rocky areas. My horse is barefoot and the one time when I did take him down a ravine he was suprisingly sure-footed. Tempratures here are currently very pleasant, in the mid-twenties (celcius, that is :-) so that shouldn't be a worry.

He's only worked 2/3 times per week, for about 30 mins walking and trotting and perhaps then walk him outside the arena for 10 mins or so to relax. In one or two lessons we worked a full hour, and although his concentration (I personally feel) wasn't up to that, I did not get the impression that he was physically tired. So an hour was the longest he's ever been under saddle, although that included lots of trotting.

He is outside every day in a huge field, where they run around like crazy so I think he's in good shape without weight on his back.

But he's not a big boy; only about 14.3hh and still very foalish in appearance, definitely not a cob type! At 60kg I don't think I'm too heavy for him, but 'm no fairy on his back either.

Do you think it's ok for me to go on the hack?

Mehitabel · #2 31st Jul 2006, 09:56 AM

i wouldn't, i'm afraid, 3 hours will be triple the amount he has had to work before - and you say that after an hour he was flagging mentally. he woiuld nbeed to work up to that length of time physically and mentally - the physical can be done, but the mental is something that has to come in its own time.

Jay.o · #3 31st Jul 2006, 10:10 AM

I would pass too. When I first starting hacking out my youngster, it was mentally demanding for her anything over an hour. She was getting physically tired too and grouchy, like a child throwing her toys about.

I think thats way too much for a 3 year old. Short schooling sessions (20 mins) and shorter faster hacks (about 30 mins), or longer slower hacks (about an hour) is what I did at the most with mine when she was that age.

Afellpony · #4 31st Jul 2006, 10:16 AM

I wouldn't take mine on a 3 hour hack either even if it was only walking. The most he's worked is an hour a day even though he's worked 3/4 days a week.

Jessey · #5 31st Jul 2006, 11:13 AM

Has he done alot of hack work with large groups before? for an hour? how did he cope with that?

From what you have said I think it will be too much for him, unless he is really used to hacking for an hour to an hour and a half with a large group, that will be all very exciting/stressful for him and take alot out of him.
If however, he is used to the above and finds that very easy then he might be OK, but I would want everyone to agree that if he struggled you could cut the ride short and be prepared to get off and walk at regular intervals to give him a break.

J x

Pink's lady · #6 31st Jul 2006, 11:28 AM

That a hell of a long time for someone to be sitting on his back. Regardless of how good the saddle fit is, he'll be sore. Not something you want to do to a young horse.

HOwever, if you do decide to go ahead with it, and you think he's mentally up to it, make sure you get off ever half hours and walk for at least 15mins to give his back a rest.

Peanut · #7 31st Jul 2006, 11:52 AM

I wouldn't even consider that long a hack with such a young horse for both mental and physical reasons. It is not sensible to exhaust a young horse and I agree with Pink's Lady that 3 hours is far too long to be on it's back.

Herbie's mummy · #8 31st Jul 2006, 11:55 AM

personally if he is only 3 then i would not have him broken yet (just my opinion

)
but yes 3 hours is far too long, half an hour at the most.

Susara · #9 31st Jul 2006, 07:12 PM

Ok I think what I'll do is to organise with someone to come back with me earlier. He's a really confident pony that loves new things; when he first saw cattle he walked closer to have a better look! When two calves ran away from us he wanted to run after them :-)

So I'm sure he'll enjoy the trip as long as he doesn't get tired. I'll walk next to him for some stretches, and get someone to return with me sooner.

Thanks for the replies

Edited for Herbie's Mom; he is closer to 4 than 3, but your point still holds. When I got him I was a total novice concerning young horses, everything I did with him was under the instruction of my trainer. Knowing what I know now, I'd have waited longer. As it is we (ie myself and my instructor) had to resist some pressure to 'progress' faster with him. Some horses at my old yard were jumping at the age that I started longing him...

jenren!! · #10 31st Jul 2006, 07:19 PM

No, give it a miss. You do not want bad consequences it is too risky. Keep at what you're doing and save that til later in life.

Jenny xx

Ross · #11 1st Aug 2006, 12:49 PM

I think breaking him and doing some basics at 3 is not a bad idea, but when I did that with my youngster I built up to 10 minutes riding a day (in straight lines, not schooling) and then turned him away for the winter to mature. He needed something doing as a 3 year old as he was getting very cocky.

But 3 hours is far too long to ride a youngster - and any horse would need to build up to it.

Ross