[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Mars was backed in July as a full 3 year old. He was easy to back. He's never taken off, never gone on a bucking spree, though he has bucked here and there. He's half reared a few times. The bucks and the rears are from being a frustrated 3 year old not understanding and just being a baby.

I was riding Mars 2-3 times a week. Then with the weather changing to mostly rain it went to 1-2 days a week. Then it was maybe once every two weeks.

I can't remember the last time I rode him.

How bad is it to just occassionally ride a 3 year old? I don't ask a lot of him. Never long rides. But is it bad to get on after a couple weeks off. Just walking, some trotting, asking to round up and push from the hind end (not for long stretches at a time).

People keep giving me this look or tone of voice when I mention I haven't ridden Mars much lately at all. They think he's going to be crazy or something? Which has never been the case...

But I'm beginning to woder.

[Horsed]

I would think taking it easy would actually be better for him since he's still probably growing.

[Huntseat]

He's only 3, still developing physically and mentally. As long as he has a good mind and a good start, I wouldn't expect problems beyond perhaps a little excess energy (totally depending on his temperament) and typical baby sillies

[belle4]

Willy didn't go into training until he was 4. No worries BBJ. In fact, I think he will be better off in the long run. What's the hurry?

[Vengeance]

I wouldn't think there'd be anything wrong with it... When I started my boy as a two year old, I rode him a bit, then he had a few months off where I didn't so much as get him out longer than to brush him about once a month... when I got back on him, he just needed a little encouragement, then he remembered everything and was just fine.

[SunBun]

I think it's better for him, actually. He's still very much developing And being that he's been pretty easy to start so far, you shouldn't have problems in the long run.

[Jenje!]

Oh pfft. He's fine, Chelsea, I promise!

Allure's been ridden somewhere between 15-20 times since I backed her this spring, and I think that's a generous estimate. She's not going nuts! She retains things pretty well, and I never get on expecting perfection (she'd still be a baby whether I rode her three days a week or three days a month)- I never get on thinking, "We'll work on that leg yield we were trying to get last time." I think, "Let's see what she'll give me today." Sometimes it's a little less or a little more than her average. That's okay! She's a baby! But she's NEVER crazy. She's interested in what's coming next, but mellow.

I guess if you let him go for three weeks and then got on him and expected him to give you a flawless dressage test, you might be a little nuts. All I'm doing with my three year old right now is drilling holes where the buttons will be later.

[PiaffePony0412]

This is not the first thread from you worrying if what you are doing with Mars is 'okay' or not. I think you need to be more confident in your abilities and knowledge. Were you this unsure of yourself with Fiona? Mars doesn't know he is any different from any other horse. In fact, he isn't. He may be more 'special' or have more value to some, but when you get down to the nitty gritty, he is an Equus ferus caballus, AKA, a plain old horse, like the rest of them. And it is not bad for any horse to not be ridden consistently as a 3 year old.

There is a silly notion out there that you should ride young horses just for the sake of riding them, get the miles on. But the QUALITY of riding is what counts the most.

Any young horse I have ever been in charge of starting, I worked for about a month and then gave them a nice vacation to think about what they learned. If all they had was good experiences (which it was my job as trainer/rider to make sure of that) then they ALWAYS came back full force and ready to work when I picked them up again. They missed the involvement and the attention.

You have done more with Mars than I have with Bredero!
Bredero turned 3 in March. He is a super hot, super fresh guy, just like his dad. I worked him on the ground for a month, and even though he is by no means a BAD horse, he was very fresh and sometimes so hot he wouldn't even be able to focus on what I was asking, but I stayed patient and kept everything pleasant. Then I gave him the summer off, and since then, I have worked him a handful of times and been on him twice. Know what? He was 1000x more focused and eager to learn every time. I plan on starting him up again the end of this month because I have just been too busy and only had the time to ride Chase.

The only thing that matters is YOU and MARS. Maybe you just don't have the time, or the weather has been cruddy, or whatever. Being patient and taking your time will only help the two of you progress that much quicker later.

Remember Reiner Klimke didn't even get ON his horses until they were at least 4.
I hate when I hear people say 'Ohhh he was started late as a 5 year old.' as some excuse for why a horse isn't going well.
So? Someone must of done a bad job- because if anything starting an older horse means you have a more mature one, both mentally and physically to teach. Unless of course if we are talking about a horse who has been chucked out in a field with little people interaction, or the interaction he has had was bad- but that isn't the case with Mars, he isn't some wild heathen who has passed his prime. haha.

The ONLY disadvantage of not riding your horse regularly (no matter if he is 3 or 23), is he will lack a consistent level of fitness which hinders particular progression. But when your starting out, learning the basics, I think it's great to ease into it rather than burn him out. Horses have GREAT memories and take something from EVERY ride, even if they are months apart. You say he is good every time you get on him, does he seem happy and willing to work? Because if so you are doing a great job, since that is step 1. And if you are okay with it, than it is okay. He is not the 'people's' horse, he is YOUR horse, so it doesn't matter what the 'people' have to say about it.

Build a solid foundation no matter how long it takes, and you will have a strong house later.

-Piaffepony0412

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Thanks guys. I just needed to hear that. I'm honestly in no rush with him. And the difference between Fiona and Mars is Mars is 3 and my first horse to back. While Fiona was 7 with previous training LOL

Just seems like people these days think all 3 year old newly backed horses are crazy and need to be worked to be kept in their place...

I sorta wish they could all see how Mars is under saddle so they would stop assuming I'll be in trouble the next time I ride.

[PiaffePony0412]

Oh, for some reason I thought you had Fiona as a baby, I'm not sure why. But in any event, lots of people are really nervous about starting horses! I have started other people's, but Bredero was the first baby of my own. It is nerve wracking, but you just have to remember, they are new to this too! And horses are curious happy animals overall, if you take a kind but confident lead, they are happy to follow and figure stuff out. (Obviously this is assuming their relationship with you on the ground is good from the start.) In some ways, it is even easier because their are no past people problems to worry about, like hard mouths!

Just think of the day even further down the road when he's a fabulously trained and happy horse at 6 even though he wasn't 'consistently ridden as a 3 year old' gnah! haha. There are no crazy horses.... well okay, a few crazy ones, haha, but for the most part it is just a bunch of people who don't understand when their horse is telling them something's wrong. And it sounds to me like Mars is telling you 'I'm happy and chill with our workout schedule!'



-Piaffepony0412