I have a nice Paint gelding who is coming back from the trainers after 4 months of work. He’s doing great, but I want to give him some down time from the riding. He will need some time to integrate into my herd of 4.
How much time off would you give him and how much light work for him? I am thinking of one or two hour long trail rides a week and 2 half hour schooling sessions. Thinking of at least 2 weeks completely off when he comes home.
Thoughts?
Personally, I would ride him consistently for the first two weeks he gets home. The if you still want to give him some time, you can. I see so many people pay for training and then do nothing with the horse, then they lose the “trainer effect” and end up having problems when they do start riding. Its tough to start a young horse and have it going well, just to have the owner take it home and know that they aren’t going to keep the momentum going. It’s your decision and your horse though, and I don’t know him or your situation.
I think you have a good plan going with your workload, and you’ll know as you get used to him when to do more or less. Good luck!
First of all I admire your compassion with this guy…giving him time to settle in and figure things out instead of hopping on and “just get over it”.
Your plan sounds good to me both for his mind and his body. I wouldn’t think he needs more than 2 weeks. In fact, you might start some short walk and bend lessons before that. 10 minutes or so; just to give you an idea of where he’s at emotionally and mentally. And to let him know you’re his mom.
Well, there’s two diverse opinions! lol Do what feels right to you!
Personally, I would ride him consistently for the first two weeks he gets home. The if you still want to give him some time, you can. I see so many people pay for training and then do nothing with the horse, then they lose the “trainer effect” and end up having problems when they do start riding. Its tough to start a young horse and have it going well, just to have the owner take it home and know that they aren’t going to keep the momentum going. It’s your decision and your horse though, and I don’t know him or your situation.
I think you have a good plan going with your workload, and you’ll know as you get used to him when to do more or less. Good luck!
I very much agree.
Now, you might not be working the horse HARD at first, you can and should keep the horse mentally in a good place. No big long strenuous sessions. But do keep your momentum, keep the horse reminded of what he knows, without drilling him. Just sort of a nice, pleasant review session.
That way, the horse doesn’t ‘settle in’ and then have to go through a whole new adjustment (being ridden away from his buddies, being ridden period!) two weeks later when you start riding again.
As far as your schooling sessions, if you are capable of getting things accomplished at a walk, with just a little trot here and there, there’s no reason not to have four or five half-hour schooling sessions a week. And I wouldn’t just go out on the trail, I’d make sure everything was working well in the arena, first.
Just no drilling, no relentless circles, no ‘headsetting’ and you can keep your young-un coming along nicely.
Interesting…I had originally thought to bring him home and keep working him lightly while he was settling in.
In my mind I thought would help him to have some kind of routine. My friend is trying to convince me to give him time totally off. I may go to some middle ground and give him a day or 2 to settle (since I will be bringing in hay anyway) and then start working him lightly. Just some work around cones etc to fine tune the turning at a walk would be beneficial.
I don’t want to give him a chance to get all buddy sour, either.
Thanks…I will get a plan together…he’s coming home on Saturday.
Maybe this link will work and you can have a look at my boy…Peppy King Fritz
Yeah, hey, routine is good!
(I don’t think more than 5% of people with their own milk cows would ever get their cows milked, without a good routine 
)…dairy cows thrive on routine, and a green horse will too.
If you’re busy the day you bring your horse home, no need to do more than lead the horse around his new home a bit when he gets off the trailer. (Don’t let the horse lead you, this is a reminder of manners in a new environment, not a sightseeing tour).
I would give him a day or two off and then do light work, ride around at all 3 gaits and maybe pick one thing to work on (turning, stopping, softness, etc), then trail ride a little after your ride. I find routine is even more important for a young horse coming home from a trainer than any other horse.
As a three year old I would want to see him working 3-4 days a week. By working I don’t mean riding him into the ground in the pen. Put him on the lunge tape for good insurance if it is Monday and he’s been off all week. Take him in the pen for ten minutes. Flex him, jog, supple him and lift his shoulders. Lope a few circles. If he’s good, take him for a nice long walk.
Most important part of a 3 y/o to train is his mind. Keep work fun, keep it simple, introduce new easy concepts to keep him interested without being overwhelmed. Ride his haunches, not his face. And most importantly, enjoy your baby! 3 is my favorite age!
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