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Post by yobswithcobs on May 2, 2013 17:52:54 GMT
As is the way with horsey people, everyone seems the need to have their opinion voiced with regards to everything. Of late, ive been hearing 'you need to back your youngster when he turns three'. Id just like to know your thoughts and opinions on this. Im very much of the mind frame 'what is the rush?'. Why not let a baby be a baby for another year? i may back him when hes three, i may not, but i dont see that he absolutely MUST be broken asap. Hes handled and groomed everyday, and is generally pretty fearless with regards to poles in the school and traffic etc when we've had him out walking on the roads. I'd just like everyones thoughts.
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Post by bethanyy on May 2, 2013 18:51:35 GMT
This thread comes up so many times with the same answers. Back your horse when you think he's ready. Have a look through previous posts  |
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Post by lulah on May 2, 2013 20:42:30 GMT
If you scroll down thier is a very popular post called "why rush to back a 3 year old"
Of course it depends on the horse itself. I dont see a rush in backing . Your horse is likely to have a longer and happier working life if left till 4/5 yrs.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 7:19:16 GMT
I back at all ages from 3.5 yrs to 12 yrs - depending on the animal
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Post by nici on May 3, 2013 7:58:04 GMT
My Section C has just turned 3 and has done nothing in his life so far other than be a baby  He lives in a small group of 4 ponies, is used to being handled, led, tied up, stabled, but is currently living out. He had his teeth done recently and has a wolf tooth that the dentist recommends comes out before he is bitted. The dentist wasn't happy to do this without sedation so we're going to arrange to get that done later this month when I'm off work. So our plan with our 3yo, who looks pretty level and how a 3yo ought to look in my opinion, is to bit him during the summer and do some formal ground work with him. This will probably include some long reining, but won't include lunging. We'll also get a saddle on him, and sometime during the summer I've promised my lightweight 9yo daughter she can be crash test dummy and have a little sit on him. That's about as far as we'll take it this year. Winter weather is too unpredictable, and days too short, to have more than one pony in work, so JJ will be turned away, and we'll probably start him properly next Spring, depending how he's looking. Don't listen to anyone trying to pressurise you into starting your pony before you think he's ready. I don't understand the need to back a pony on 1st January in the year they turn 3, or even that Spring. If people don't have the patience to let their baby ponies be babies while they're still developing so much physically, they should buy grown up ponies instead. |
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Post by mardigras on May 3, 2013 15:36:16 GMT
well said
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Post by fanfarefan on May 3, 2013 17:32:16 GMT
i didnt have my youngster broken until he was 5yrs old , mainly because he injured himself in the stable , as a 3yr old,,,, but this was all wasted really because then i had no jockey , so he has now been a field ornament for the last 18months , seems quite happy though, and will do some in hand showing this summer at some stage , doo what you feel is right for your horse dont let anyone tell you what is right and what is wrong ,,,, all horses are individuals
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Post by B_31 on May 3, 2013 18:28:18 GMT
mine will be backed at 3 if shes grown on enough....if not then later shes already been doing loads of groundwork but im sending her away to be broken in properly as i want her out competing properly as soon as she's 4.... then turn her away over winter and then proper work when shes 4-5 your horse your choice..... mentally mine is ready to be broken now....but physically no way, not properly |
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Post by solitaire on May 8, 2013 10:54:35 GMT
My mare was not backed till she was almost 5 due to a injury but she was very easy to do and has continued to be a dream. I don't think she would have been ready as a 3 year old for certain. We plan not to back our youngster till he is 4 years at the earliest he is doing in hand showing and enjoying being a baby at the moment. Do it when its right for you and your youngster not when people say to do it you will know him/her best.
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He lives in a small group of 4 ponies, is used to being handled, led, tied up, stabled, but is currently living out. He had his teeth done recently and has a wolf tooth that the dentist recommends comes out before he is bitted. The dentist wasn't happy to do this without sedation so we're going to arrange to get that done later this month when I'm off work. 
