Riding a youngster in mud?

[Rosie8888]

@Janet

Like most of the rest of you, I thought it was obvious that it meant “Three (years) and four months”.

Thanks, i could have put it better I guess ☺️

[Rosie8888]

@Janet

There are two likely problems with riding in mud.

The first is an injury from slipping, which is most likely when working at speed in shallow mud.

The second is that working in deep mud tires the muscles much more quickly. And when muscles are tired, tendon and ligament injuries are much more likely.

So slow, short rides in even deep mud should be safe ,even if not much fun.

In New England, the alternate name for “spring” is “mud season”. And here in Virginia, the winter footing is often frozen, churned up mud, which really isn’t safe at any speed.

Thank you, helpful advice. I noticed that in most of it you can still see his hooves easily but it is definitely slippy, I’m still at the slower work stage, maybe I should concentrate on road work more

[Rosie8888]

@GoodTimes

Me too, I didn’t think it was that difficult to interpret.

If it isn’t slippery and he isn’t worried about it then short rides at the walk are probably fine. Just keep in mind that the muscles will fatigue more quickly. You don’t want to overwork him an have him end up sore or mentally sour.

If you have a friend with a road safe horse, and a quiet road to ride on, than it might be a good time to introduce him to some short hacks with a buddy.

I wouldn’t worry too much about giving him the winter off. You can still work on things that will make him a solid citizen. Get him used to clippers, mane pulling. braiding, loading. Instill a solid “WHOA” from the ground. You’ll appreciate this when you lose a boot in the mud and don’t want to let go of the lead rope or get pulled into the mud :lol:

Thank you, great advice, I’d like to keep him ticking over in some form or another. Good point that the muscles will fatigue and he could get sore/sour because of it. Do you think they tend to come back bolshy if left all together? Haven’t started one for a years, dont want him to loose his lovely manner.

Hes good with traffic, and goes out in hand alone no bother, perhaps I should get on with it and get him riding on the road, instead of just long reining on it, it’s just when it comes to the road I like to have a ground person behind at the moment and they aren’t often available.

Haha I’m going to start instilling the woah from the ground tomorrow ☺️ thank you

[Rosie8888]

@enjoytheride

Can you ride on the road?

Iv been long reining/walking in hand and he goes out happily without his friends, but as hes very new to the roads I like a helper to hand just at the moment and their not often free unfortunately, better just get on and start riding him on them whenever possible

[XXS]

Is there an arena in your area? Any possibility to go by trailer now and then? I wouldn’t ride on slippery ground - balance, confidence and ligaments.

[LilRanger]

IF they have a good attitude when you put them out for the winter, they usually keep that attitude when you start up again. That’s your horse’s natural personality, so it likely won’t change unless something hurts when he works.
Oh, I live in the land of the winter sun, used to live in muck and goo. Good and bad things about both of them…