New Forest Mare

Question
Hi,,

I Have Recently Bought A Mare 2 Weeks Ago She Is A New Forest Approximate. 13.2h.h And 2 Years Old On The 2nd May She I Physically And Mentally Mature She Is Very Stocky And Well Boned. She Has Been Lunged, Long Reined,Popped Small Fences, Lent And Sat On She Has Been Bitted Lead About And Does Have Good Manners For A 2 year Old She Is Great In Every Way. I Have 2 Questions....

1. She Is Great To Do But Sometimes Can Be Fidgety When She Is Tied Up To Be Groomed If She Has Food Or Something She Is Fine I Do Tie Hay Up For Her But She Doesn't Seem To Always Want It So She Fidgets When I Try To Groom Her She Made A 3 hour Journey Down To Me Nearly 2 Weeks Ago I Don't Know If This Is Why..?

2. She Seems To Enjoy Lunging And Working Generally On The Whole She Has Been Sat On And Lent On As I Said Is It Ok To Break Her In Soon ?? She Look Mature Enough To Be Sat On I Don't Know ? I Am Able To Break In As I Am A Experienced Rider And Have Helped To Break In Friends Ponies. I Would Like To Get Her Riding If Possible ..

Many Thanks
Jessica xx

Answer
Hi Jessica

thanks for the question and thank you for being so clear about what you need to know...........it makes huge difference to have clearly defined area  in which to work!

Firstly and please do not think I am being horrible, BUT  the mare cannot be ridden until she reaches 4 years of age, her bones are still maturing and forming, so riding her and popping her over jumps is not something that can be done right now.  There are however a lot of great things you have already done, such as getting  accepting the bit, and the long reining, and all teh rest of the things you have listed, that is a great start for her and for you.  There are a lot of things you can still do, such as play groundwork games with her, and teach  her manners, such as standing quietly when being groomed etc.

You can also show her in  in  inhand classes at yout local riding club, this is another stage of her education and showing her will also  reinforce all the things you have already done.

So far you have done a wonderful job, and I wish  more people would take the time and effort you have done to start off a youngster in the correct way, it bodes very well for  both of you in the future, time spent now will be a great reward later.

The fact she gets a bit fidgety during grooming is  something they all go through, my horse is 24 and still fidgets, but it will come in time that she will stand still

You can introduce a light saddle to her, just in order to get her used to the weight of one, but again no sitting on her and no riding until she is more mature.