I was watching this video tonight of a four year old. It was a well built athletic horse, with three good gaits. The horse should nice transitions, and a little bit of shoulder in and leg yield and shoulder in that were nicely started. I've started my four year olds on a bit of lateral work as well. The boys, who are a little more mature and further along in their training than miss Romanze, have also started a little counter canter and an occasional flying change, that they both do quietly. I wouldn't say we train it, but once in a while throw it in just because. But we're talking small amounts, and very occasional.
So when the video of this lovely young horse played on, and showed the horse performing half passes in both directions, across the full diagonal, and maybe a little sharper angle than that, I had to stop and say......whoa.
I realize with the demands of the young horse tests, we must keep our horses progressing quickly up the levels. And it honestly takes a youngster with good basic conformation and gaits to meet the demands of these tests, and there are many good young horses who just aren't ready for them. Romanze is one, despite her spectacular movement. But she's a big horse who's growing slowly, and I'd really like to keep her sound for a long long time.
As a trainer, you have to recognize those times when it's ok not to keep pushing forward. Those times when you need not muscle your horse through the next level of riding, and when to let him gain strength and confidence in what he can do. Too hard too fast is a recipe for a very short career in my eyes.....
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