Different rates of progression with youngsters

[AuntieDee]

Does anyone else feel that others feel that you are taking it too slowly with your youngsters?

Nope. Y rush things you will only store up problems for yourself later on. Good solid foundations are the key. You cannot go too slowly. Keep variety in their work but let them go at a speed which suits. Enjoy this time with them and don't wish the years away!

That's exactly how I feel. I backed my boy late 4, rebacked him at 5 and haven't even come out of trot yet. Yet I have a friend who was BEing her 4yo in the youngster classes and at 5 the horse has gone novice.

Sometimes it makes me feel like I am slipping behind, but rushing would blow his mind...

I have a just turned 6yo ex racehorse. Had him for nearly a year.
He has done little more than race training and a bit of hacking...we have just started schooling and basic pole work.

I am taking things slower than slow but we are getting there. He is a sensitive chap and I see no point in rushing because I think it would cause more problems in the long run.

Slow, steady and properly is the only way to go for us!

I'm so glad I'm not alone :)

My aim is to get what he expresses loose, under the saddle. I don't want him slopping around on the forehand with his nose to his chest

What a beauty!

That is exactly my aim too - although judging by this pic may be not such a good thing

Graceful aint he!

He has a beautiful stride :) bit of a stargazer eh?!

This is him with a rider on his back for only the 4th time or so. The next time he bronked half of the arena and put me on the floor :( he has his moments...

I work for one of our best three day eventers and he rarely competes anything under the age of 6. He doesn't bother now with the young horse classes and whilst occasionally he will event a 5 year old, they are usually 6 or above as they are that bit stronger and ready to go.

One of my friends worked in the Netherlands on a top showjumping yard , and they too never did a great deal until at least 6 , because most of their horses were warmbloods , which apparently are slower to mature . As she said , it would take them a while to learn something , but once they had, it would stick. Which is probably why my Belgian hooligan can still be a hooligan ..