Would you take your 3 year old on a hunter pace/hunt trail ride?

[pinkeqs]

3 year old horse, that is.

Young horse is super quiet and has a great mind and attitude. He loves riding out, and has been on trail rides this summer - leads, follows, through water, etc.

There are a few local hunter paces in the area early this fall, and I thought it would be a great learning experience for him. I would go with a few other experienced horses, so he would have his usual buddies with him. There are slower groups (walk/trot only), and there is a “non compete” division, so really more of a trail ride.

Obviously, we wouldn’t go to compete, and I suppose we could turn around and come back to the trailers if it ends up being too much physically or mentally, but I want to be respectful of others out there too.

Any pros/cons/suggestions? Wait a year?

[littlesquirrel]

It will be great for him to get out and learn. Like you said you can always pull up and take him home. We used to hunt lots of the babies in Ireland at the National Hunt yard I worked at, it’s a great learning experience for them and they always really enjoyed themselves but some would tire quickly so we would just gauge them and do what we felt was right for them. You won’t be going anywhere near as fast as a hunt though and it’s always great to get a young horse out to see new things. If he were mine I would probably take him and then give him a break for a while to let it all sink in. I have no doubt you will both have lots of fun and he and you will both enjoy it.