4yo wasn't getting enough turnout at the temporary place before I brought him home (meaning barn 13 miles away instead of 33 miles away) and it showed. He had a nasty spook (surprised the crap outta everyone, especially me who got dumped-no serious injury, just soreness but a serious scared reaction. I haven't come off in 25 years). So, we went back to the trainers where he had been for 4+ months and he is back to his sane, non-reactive fun self. Such a smart boy and so much fun. The new barn up here will be more like the trainer's place. Lots of turnout and friends to chew on.
We went walking with the hounds last week and are going to a hunter pace in a week. He was so good with the hounds, reacted even better than my trainer thought he would. We are exposing him to everything we can. We popped over a few tiny fences and he loves it. No over jumping, just fun. I haven't jumped in 30 years but have wanted to so this is AWESOME. I'm hoping to take one of the steady eddy mares hunting this month. The week before the hound walking we went hacking and I moved a gate from his back, his trainer had done that before. No reaction, acted like a old, steady cow pony. Went through so many huge puddles like they were nothing and was just mr. cool, 'cept for the dog who barked at us from across the street, and that was only a few strides of soft trot/canter and back to walk on his own. And no reaction the second time the darn dog started up.
I take a lesson with my instructor once a week so I feel like he is well-rounded and not overworked. I think this is what we'll be doing until he's 5. It seems like he could very easily come behind the bit so we are keeping his neck out and him moving forward. And boy does he have a push from behind. He is a little croup high right now he'll probably grow a little in the withers as well. Saddle fitting sucks but he's worth it.
