breaking my 15hh youngster

[FF]

You need to be confident so that the horse feels secure. Think about what you want to do. Have you long reined lunged so that he knows how to go forward by voice and on his own? I backed my 1st youngster a few years ago with help from my instructor. I'm so glad I did. She was great at long reining and listened when lunged so I just got on whilst on the lunge and we did the same just with me on the back and then did it with out the lunge line. walk trot canter on the 1st day I got on and then after that we just hacked up and down the road for a week or two and then went back to a bit of schooling. I went brilliantly and I loved it. Good Luck.

[Kaseyleigh]

I agree with FF I break and school for a living and long reining is essential that the horse knows you voice then the lunging making sure the horse listens to voice command which helps a lot but ye I would ride on the lunge to make you feel that bit more confident that someone else is there to help control from the ground once you feel confidant walk trot and canter on the lunge then come off the lunge but don't rush it because you don't want anything to go wrong best thing is to be calm if they do anything don't get off as they will learn if the do something naughty you will get off .

[rubydoo]

take it slowly and do lots of ground work as stated in above posts .
if the horse is confident thats a great start ,ive had quiet ones tht were easy and willing and ive had little sh*ts that took a while longer , but its very rewarding having done it yourself. hopefully they wont be any falling off.
best of luck you should do a blog of your progress

[Ponies4Life]

thank you every one for your help. iv already done all the lunging and long reining and hes been such a good boy. but now just on the lunge been ridden. hes been great and not done nothing wrong. so pleased with him. im still very nervous though which wont help him at all soo need to learn to relax. my mum spends more time reassuring me me not the horse haha

[belmont]

You have done a fab job already by the looks of things, keep sessions short and sweet to help you built up your confidence and to relax on him. He looks a lovely sort and just take your time with him

[bow1607]

He looks a lovely type, don't be so hard on yourself!

[Sasha]

You look like your doing great but just one thing .. Wear a body protector!

[brookviewequine]

looking good...... but relax. you look like you re set in stone

[Ponies4Life]

thank you, i will take all your opinions on board!

[shellywell]

Hello, lovely looking horse and he is so happy, chilled and genuine, he obviously likes work and has confidence in you! Well done.

However, you do look like you are about to sh1t a brick though!! Why? Falling off isn't that bad, most of the time you'll bounce, or you may have a bruise similar to walking into a door.

You wear a hat, you wear a back protector, you wear long sleeves and you've protected yourself. It really isn't that bad, you may be bruised for a bit, but thats usually about it.

Really riding a youngster is similar to travelling in a car, you are aware that you could have an accident but you drive/ride with caution. With a horse you have check points - the ears will change, his neck will go rigid, his back will come up and then he'll stop, lift his kneck and pulse his muscles or put his back up and try to put his head down, all of this will happen BEFORE he does something to get you off, ie you will have time to "bail out". Now, he may also spook at something and dive away from the object and you may come off, BUT this is an object that you will also see, if you are observant, you won't be caught by surprise, so therefore you have the chance to ride defensively, ie, come back to a walk, talk to him, telling him that the object isn't scary and passing it quietly.

The worst thing is thinking that you may fall, this worry will block your reflexes.
Perhaps you can do some falling work? Think about what it is you are worried about, hurting yourself, your pride, scaring your horse (in my opinion the only valid worry). Before riding you can take Rescue Remedy, a stiff drink ;-) or deep breaths, in my experience though, if you are nervous about riding a youngster you will be reluctant to bring him on as you will always consider him a baby, therefore it may be better to send him away, or get someone in to ride him on at home.
For what it is worth, your boy looks lovely and you look good together, I hope you get over your fear, accept that accidents can happen and learn to trust him enough to bring him on yourself. Be brave!!! xx