Workload 4yo connie

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sarahsstable

New Member
Aug 19, 2025
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So am hopefully buying a 4yo connie mare from a local dealer. She's approx 4y 3m now. Was started in March, given a few weeks off and then been in work since doing a mix of schooling and hacking.
Just wondering what kind of work/ schedule people would look to do with a pony of this age/ experience. I'm not aiming for anything in particular I just want a nice safe and happy pony as a low level all rounder. If Id started her myself I think Id have given her another break in the summer and then be continuing along the lines of
2 hacks, 1 schooling, 1 groundwork a week. And then prob turn her away end oct until March (partly cos winter and it suits me but I also don't think the break will do her any harm)
Im just conscious that if/ when she comes to me that will be her 3rd move this year. Debating giving her a few weeks to settle then do like 6-8 weeks of work and then turn away as above. Or do I just bring her home and turn her away until spring? I want her to be happy and to bond with me and her new field mates, the riding is less important to me but I also don't want to waste all thay shes learned being professionally backed if that makes sense.
Thanks 😊
 
If you want a safe pony now then I would advise against a 4yo no matter how well started or good natured. She'll hav a lot of growing up left to do and a lot to learn so the chances are that there'll be times when things upset her and she isn't what most people call a safe ride. Can you honestly say you have the experience to deal with that calmly and competently so it doesn't turn into an issue?

If she was mine I'd probably keep her ticking over by gently hacking three or four times a week, ideally sometimes in company and sometimes on her own. I'd keep the schooling to on hacks for now because I prefer youngsters working in straight lines as it's less strain on the joints. But all of that depends on what your hacking is like and what the mare is like, and also the quality of any arena surface that you're riding on.
 
Thanks for the reply. I realise she won't always be a safe ride now, I just meant thats my long term aim for her as opposed to aiming for a showing or eventing career for example. Im a calm and confident rider, my previous mare was quite green and could be quite anxious hacking alone and I worked through this with her.
Arena is only a 20 x 40 so hacking may be better. I'll maybe just use the arena once a fortnight or something then when my instructor is coming. Hacking is fairly decent but does need some road work to access the bridleways
 
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I would do predominantly hacking just because I think it's best for all horses to be out and about and not stuck in a school! But a 20 x 40 school is a good size for a smallish horse. My cob is 14.3 and he can school easily in a 20x20 space, 20x40 allows him to stretch out a bit if he needs to. I would do some work in the school to get her used to it and to give you the chance to work on particular things with her. With a baby I would start with groundwork in there, there is so much you can do from the ground that helps them to prepare for a long healthy life of ridden work. I would do no more than one session a week in the school and pick up whatever she is learning out on hacks.

I feel it's also beneficial for a horse to be as happy and calm hacking out in company as alone, so if you have the chance to go with others, I would do that only from time to time so she doesn't become dependent :)
 
I’d do some work when you get her home, maybe ride 2/3 times a week until the clocks change then turn her away if that suits you. I would hack more than I would school, but a weekly, low impact, short session, wouldn’t worry me if you’re talking 6-8 times before she has the winter off.
 
Keep schooling in arena to a minimum. Turning her too tight when her joints are not fully developed could cause issues. She needs to build up muscle which is best done out on hacks. Long reining is also a good way to bond, builds muscle without putting weight on her back.

I wouldnt turn her away entirely over the winter. She will get bored and find her own entertainment most likely injuring herself. Many horses have to be stabled due yard rules so getting her out on a hack will be mentally better for her. Just tick over very lightly. If daylight is a factor and you cant ride like most people in the week because you work. Just do the weekend. In the week take her in the arena and do a groundwork session.
 
Thanks for the replies. We rent some land as sole use so no issue with having to stable in winter, they live out 24/7 year round (with field shelters) but I see your point I don't want her to go completely feral! Maybe just reduced workload once the clocks change and then give her a few weeks holiday in Jan. I always used to do this with my other horse anyway as the weather in January is usually so crap, the grounds awful for hacking so its a good time for us both to have some time off
 
Do straight lines not circles and hack out as much as possible with as much turn out as possible. You can have fun doing groundwork and even walking out in hand. I am doing a mix of riding and if she has had an energetic day or done her hydro, I do a walk in hand so she is having an easier time. Harmony needs to build up muscle as she was off work before I bought her and then she has been injured so i am doing a bit like you but with a 16 year old who we know has a few issues, so she sees the osteo regularly as well as the saddler.
 
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