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Turning away?

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Matzi

unread,
Oct 10, 2009, 3:53:12 AM10/10/09
to
Jill's comment in a reply post got me thinking.

What do people mean when they think about turning a horse away for the
winter?

field ornament with mnimla daily handling to check over?
handling and some ground work but no riding?
Light riding but nothing new?


And what are the pros and cons of turning away v keeping a young horse 'in
work'?

Matzi


Jill

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Oct 11, 2009, 10:23:37 AM10/11/09
to

For me, and the horsemen/women I respect, it would be
Mostly : - Out in the field with good basic ground manners maintained.
No riding, but building on gaining good experiences as in its previous
years, if the conditions are right.
This can mean short trips in a horsebox, going out and about in hand,
experiencing an event in hand, all sorts of things - IF its right for the
animal.
It does not hurt at all if they do none of that. But then I would expect
that all of that was done in the previous years as part of their growing up
process. Basic handling is basic, that is done as a matter of course.
And there are alsorts of ground exercises you can do.

Riding is HARD on young horses - both mentally and physically.
4 years old is plenty old enough.

a 3year old is not a young horse, its a baby. The potential for long term
damage to the physiology by continued riding at this age is a risk greater
than I would want to take, especially a big growing baby. I can think of no
pro's except money. There is plenty to do with a baby without rushing to get
on its back if you want to.

However being out in a field is also fine, babies need to grow, horses do
NOT need to work.

YMMV

--
regards
Jill Bowis

Domestic Poultry and Waterfowl Solutions
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine Nursery
Seasonal Farm Food
http://www.kintaline.co.uk

Ian - Louise

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Oct 11, 2009, 3:32:48 PM10/11/09
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" Jill" <ne...@NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:7je818F...@mid.individual.net...

I pretty much agree with what Jill has written here. With a 3 yr old I
wouldn't ride it at all, but then I've never backed any of my youngsters
until they were 4 anyway. That's just my choice as I'm not producing them
to sell so there's no rush to back them young. If the horse was a 4yr old
then I'd maybe hack once or twice a week just to keep the horse ticking over
and keeping a little bit of fitness. I wouldn't be schooling and the
hacking would be all about the horse enjoying the ride out.

Louise

Matzi

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Oct 12, 2009, 5:19:32 PM10/12/09
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"Ian - Louise" <mayh...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:AIGdncshIJd7r0_X...@bt.com...
Anyone with any other ideas? : )
Just in case anyone wants to go against the ideal described here.

I think I'd mostly agree. I certainly wouldn't start one of mine till it was
3 and ten take it slow but then I'm never likely to have a youngster..I know
my limits bravery lol

I have to say though I've not seen any ill effects from the work Lilly and
Kizzy have done. Lilly is laid back. happy in what she's asked to do and
very quick to say when she needs a break..which she has got every few weeks.
Her schooling has been little more than getting her to balance with a rider
and go forward and understanding moving off the leg.

Kizzy's has been a bit faster - faster I think than I'd do but Belinda is
schooling for other people and when they're looking to sell I guess they
want something people can come and ride to try (which Kizzy certainly isn't
ready for) and that has a few rosettes to show. I guess it's finding that
middle ground between results and long term horse welfare.
I wouldn't always do things B's way with my own horse but I've not seen any
significant issue with the work done to date.
It was good to clarify what people meant by turning away - It does seem to
mean diff things to diff people.
Anyone welcome to judge for self - see if I'm missing anything as pics and
video of both horses on my facebook site - even some of me jumping
2foot!!!!!! lol
I'd welcome comments and view points just please be polite when critising -
I happen to consider B a friend : )
had two sets of people come to look at Lilly atweekend so hopefully she'll
find a long term home with someone looking to take her education steady very
soon.
And hopefully Kizzy will be ready to find a new home next year - I think
she'll make a perfect competion horse, dressage or jumping. (but I'm biased
I know)

Matzi


Jill

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Oct 12, 2009, 6:42:47 PM10/12/09
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"Matzi" <mat...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:wqadnSK5bMTiAE7X...@eclipse.net.uk...

>>
> Anyone with any other ideas? : )
> Just in case anyone wants to go against the ideal described here.
>
> I think I'd mostly agree. I certainly wouldn't start one of mine till it
> was 3 and ten take it slow but then I'm never likely to have a
> youngster..I know my limits bravery lol

They are fun, and a challenge.

>
> I have to say though I've not seen any ill effects from the work Lilly and
> Kizzy have done.

Yet you have already described Lilly having broken down with lameness due to
being worked through significant physiological changes. That IS an ill
effect.
For me, having not seen her but reading what you have written and described,
she is not sufficiently mature to be ridden.
With all respect to you having fun I would not ever put a relative novice
rider on a such a baby either.
Sorry about getting the wrong end of the stick re B being a trainer/dealer -
its just what came across, with the stories of babies being broken to be
schooled to sell in their third year, and all the talk of selling on and
into polo etc.
Hope the babies grow up to fulfill all their potential.
Have fun with your riding.


--

Jill

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Oct 13, 2009, 6:48:31 AM10/13/09
to
Matzi wrote:
> Anyone welcome to judge for self - see if I'm missing anything as
> pics and video of both horses on my facebook site - even some of me
> jumping 2foot!!!!!! lol
> I'd welcome comments and view points

Sorry, I meant to ask if these albums are only open to FB members who have
already connected to you?
Or are they public?
(not a facebook expert, or signatory as yet)
:o)

Matzi

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Oct 14, 2009, 3:10:52 PM10/14/09
to

"Jill" <ma...@NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:7jhpfoF...@mid.individual.net...

> "Matzi" <mat...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:wqadnSK5bMTiAE7X...@eclipse.net.uk...
>>>
>> Anyone with any other ideas? : )
>> Just in case anyone wants to go against the ideal described here.
>>
>> I think I'd mostly agree. I certainly wouldn't start one of mine till it
>> was 3 and ten take it slow but then I'm never likely to have a
>> youngster..I know my limits bravery lol
>
> They are fun, and a challenge.
>
>>
>> I have to say though I've not seen any ill effects from the work Lilly
>> and Kizzy have done.
>
> Yet you have already described Lilly having broken down with lameness due
> to being worked through significant physiological changes. That IS an ill
> effect.
> For me, having not seen her but reading what you have written and
> described, she is not sufficiently mature to be ridden.
> With all respect to you having fun I would not ever put a relative novice
> rider on a such a baby either.
> Sorry about getting the wrong end of the stick re B being a
> trainer/dealer - its just what came across, with the stories of babies
> being broken to be schooled to sell in their third year, and all the talk
> of selling on and into polo etc.
> Hope the babies grow up to fulfill all their potential.
> Have fun with your riding.

I've been riding 25 years. hardly a novice. Just not experienced with
backing and training very young horses.

Lilly's injury wasn't from riding...she did it in the field. Physio
described her muscles and bones having a varied growth spirt which put a
strain on her back and shoulders and after 4 days in the field when she came
back to work was lame...so clearly did it in the field...prob rolling or
dodging being kicked by the bossy Tinky. Physio came out and was happy with
her progress...jsut advised no lunging for a while (hasn't really been
lunged since). B left her out of work longer than the physio advised because
she wasn't totally convinced it wasn't sometihng more serous but Lilly's
done just fine.

I'm not sure if I haven't explained myself well or...
Lilly isn't and never will be a polo pony.
4 year old April is being introduced to polo as in a mallet being swung
round her and knocked on the floor...hardly anf diff from into a horse to
cars and plastic bags o nthe floor etc. NOT bombing arounf the field and
neck reinging at high speed!

I hope that clarifies some issues. while I personally wouldn't have back
Lilly till this year, otherwise I have no problem with how she has been
worked over all. And while I might be a 'novice' with youngster after 25
years around horses I hope I do know how to recognise distress, pain etc.

And that for all B is a friend and I'm eternally grateful for her allowing
me to ride her horse and gain new experience, if I had any question about
what she did I would (and have) said.

I'm sorry if I gave the impression I was a total new comer to horses and so
wouldn't know if one was being mistreated or badly trained.

All I was looking to do if find out what people do with their youngsters,
the pros and cons , the ideal and where people may sacrifice the ideal in
the name of practicality.

Matzi


Matzi

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Oct 14, 2009, 3:15:31 PM10/14/09
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Some are viewable by friends of friends only. Others are there for anyone to
see.

I'm happy to accept as a 'friend' anyone from here who asks..never turn down
a horsey collegue lol


" Jill" <ne...@NOSPAMkintaline.co.uk> wrote in message

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