How much work?

[April]

Hi everyone.. hoping I might be able to keep Coral now, still not sure though

How much work does everyone do with their 3 yr olds? She'll be 3 at the end of April and so far all she's really done is walk up and down the lane a few times and had the bit in about 5 times (she's taken to it well I think, but not really sure what I'm doing ). How long do you leave it in for? How much walking around with it in do you do? And how long until you attach the lead to the bit? Then what?

I know every pony is different and everyone does things at different ages and in different ways but I'd just like a few opinions on what to do next and what sort of time scale to go by.. I've bought loads of books but I've just got a feeling Dales are different to the kind of horses the books are talking about and might need to be treated in a different way? Plus I don't want to overdo it!

Would you go as far as backing her this year or wait until next spring? My original idea was to start long reining, walking her out etc over the spring then back her this summer and turn her away for the winter, which I think I might stick to. She still seems quite petite however and I don't want to squish her as I'm quite tall at 5'8! It might be that I'm comparing her to Jester's big fat behind though, he's 14.3 and rather round! I think Coral is aboutttt 13.2 now and was told she'd make about 14.1, will get the stick out tomorrow.. But she just doesn't seem very wide?

Wish I had transport to get her out to some shows but it'll just have to wait until next year! Any advise would be much appreciated, sorry for the essay!!

[colmworthdales]

Hi there. So much depends on how well grown the 3 year old is. I have lunged several of mine at 3, and got them used to wearing tack. Two of them were backed at the end of their 3rd summer and took to it very well. Through that winter they were either just given very short hacks out to keep them mentally occupied, or turned away completely to carry on maturing. That is what I have done with my lovely Mollie who should have been brought back into some sort of education by now, but my life has been hectic so I am waiting until I can give her some regular lessons. Expect I will have to start pretty much from start again, but hopefully she will have remembered most of what was taught.

I think she is very keen to work again as when the four ponies are wandering around my yard trying (not) to find their correct stables to eat their supper, Mollie often goes and look over the gate into the road. I can almost see the bubble coming out of her head saying "Did I really go out there into the big world last year and walk down the road?" Very sweet!

[April]

Yeah I think I'll start more towards the end of summer now.. she seems to have evened out a bit in the last few weeks too.. must be the spring grass causing a growth spurt

Hopefully Mollie will soon pick it up again, she sounds like she's keen!

I need to get a girth but have no idea what size? Jester's is huge and I can't find any small ones on the yard to try..
Is there any kind of trick with a piece of string etc?

[corabella]

Good news that you might be keeping Coral. Sorry if you have already considered and discounted this but why dont you join Parelli Connect and go through their groundwork and preparation for ridden work material? It is very good for building a partnership. You get a months free membership then it is only about £7 a month for lots of good practical help. Parelli is not for everyone and you dont have to become a cult member just pick what works! Whatever you decide good luck with Coral she is lovely.